Dog Tracks' Own Photographs and Video Document Confinement, Injuries

RAYNHAM, Mass. — The Committee to Protect Dogs announced today that it has documented hundreds of violent and sometimes fatal dog race collisions that took place at Massachusetts racetracks over the past year. Video footage has been posted online at ProtectDogs.org, and includes the final race for Starz Voice, a two-year-old white and red greyhound who died at Raynham Park on June 25, 2007.

"The 'Yes on 3' campaign is based on thoroughly documented injuries that continue to occur at local racetracks," said MSPCA-Angell President Carter Luke.  "This new footage adds to the tracks' injury reports and photographs of confinement, allowing voters to witness the intensity of collisions that end the lives of racing dogs as well as mangle and break their bones. We want voters to know exactly what they are voting for and we are confident they will agree that dog racing is cruel and inhumane and vote Yes on 3."

According to state records, more than 800 greyhounds have been injured while racing in Massachusetts since 2002. Nearly 80 percent of injuries involved broken legs, and other injuries include paralysis, cardiac arrest and head trauma.

To learn more about these injuries and fatalities, the Committee to Protect Dogs recorded and watched every Massachusetts greyhound race for an entire year, beginning in May 2007. During that time, the Committee documented more than 300 violent and sometimes fatal collisions.

"This footage puts an end to the discussion on whether greyhounds suffer on the track," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "They do suffer, and they do so for a dying industry that has no place in the new economy of Massachusetts."

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The Committee to Protect Dogs is a state ballot question committee dedicated to passing stronger dog protection laws in the Commonwealth. Committee co-chairs include representatives of the MSPCA-Angell (mspca.org), The Humane Society of the United States (humanesociety.org) and greyhound protection group GREY2K USA (grey2kusa.org). For more information, visit ProtectDogs.org.