Maddy

Possum is fairly easy to get down here and in my opinion, it's got to be one of the vilest meats out there. Greasy, dark, smelly and rank- none of my dogs will eat it. But if you have piles of possums you don't want, I suppose it makes sense to mince them into pet food and pretend they're a gourmet ingredient

Sorry, it was me who brought up the US, I was just pondering out loud as to how it all panned out over there when racing was banned in various states. I thought perhaps if it was a slightly positive outcome for the dogs, it could be something we could strive for here. I knew that adoption in the US was bigger than here, but I didn't realise it how much bigger it was, therefore probably not a realistic approach here. However I still think it's worth taking notes from other countries, we could learn from their positives and their negatives. I'm pretty sure that GAPTas is organising/endorsing a small gathering for a walk here on the weekend, though I'm not sure if it was spurred on because of the media attention or whether it was something happening anyway. I do hope that it goes ahead though and that it is a positive experience for those going along. There was also an article on ABC news site about Greyhound Racing Tas getting on the bandwagon to examine practices down here and cracking down on anything going on that shouldn't be. I sincerely hope that they do and they're not just doing things for appearances sake. They spoke with Emma from Brightside who claims to have anecdotal evidence of live baiting, hoping if it's the case that it's more isolated incidents here than systematically wide spread - I can only hope! You're going to be very disappointed, trust me. Oh don't get me wrong, whilst I do hope that it happens, I am not under any illusion that it actually will. I hope, but remain cynical *sigh* My experience with the board was that their biggest concern was public perception because it could potentially lose them money. Their second biggest concern was how to spend the least amount of money for the most result with regards to their first concern. Basically, just money. One person did seem to have a genuine interest in modernising but when you're voting against a board of good old boys, it's never going to happen.

Sorry, it was me who brought up the US, I was just pondering out loud as to how it all panned out over there when racing was banned in various states. I thought perhaps if it was a slightly positive outcome for the dogs, it could be something we could strive for here. I knew that adoption in the US was bigger than here, but I didn't realise it how much bigger it was, therefore probably not a realistic approach here. However I still think it's worth taking notes from other countries, we could learn from their positives and their negatives. I'm pretty sure that GAPTas is organising/endorsing a small gathering for a walk here on the weekend, though I'm not sure if it was spurred on because of the media attention or whether it was something happening anyway. I do hope that it goes ahead though and that it is a positive experience for those going along. There was also an article on ABC news site about Greyhound Racing Tas getting on the bandwagon to examine practices down here and cracking down on anything going on that shouldn't be. I sincerely hope that they do and they're not just doing things for appearances sake. They spoke with Emma from Brightside who claims to have anecdotal evidence of live baiting, hoping if it's the case that it's more isolated incidents here than systematically wide spread - I can only hope! You're going to be very disappointed, trust me.

This has been my point all day yet only one person actually had the guts to say "I don't know" It's all well and good to throw your hands in the air screaming BAN IT NOW yet those hands would be straight under their arses if someone turned up on their doorstep tomorrow with a couple of homeless greys. Exactly. I have wondered how that side of things was handled (if at all) in the US when racing was banned in the various states. Was there an influx into rescues/pounds and therefore dogs not getting the attention they need before being responsibly rehomed? Were dogs killed by the hundreds, either humanely or otherwise? Was there an increase in neglect cases? I can only imagine that it was the latter options that happened, though obviously I have no idea. If after banning greyhound racing, how long did it take for the issue of "excess" greyhounds to rectify, or is it still an ongoing issue. As much as I wish that all animals weren't used for human entertainment for gambling purposes, I completely understand that a ban isn't the best option straight out. There would be too much of a fall out for the dogs, there just needs to be some serious overhauling of the industry and some independent regulatory bodies governing over it. Perhaps one day the "sport" could be phased out somehow, but getting up and just going 'right, it's banned', is never going to be a viable option. I'd assume the majority were probably transferred to states that still allow it and any remaining dogs were simply destroyed. No real reason to keep a heap of dogs that are now a financial drain. Greyhound rescue is huge in the States, much bigger then here. Though quite a few seem to have the same save them at all costs mentality that exists in some groups here. It's still up to the owners/trainers what happens to the dogs though and if they're still worth money, they won't go to rescue. I had one greyhound trainer decide not to surrender a dog to me because someone offered him a few hundred for her (and I couldn't immediately afford to counter that offer). Said dog is now pumping out the litters and will probably never get a chance at pet life but.. a few hundred dollars so totally worth it for her previous owner.

I didn't find it all that funny but.. Nothing to get all worked up about.

This has been my point all day yet only one person actually had the guts to say "I don't know" It's all well and good to throw your hands in the air screaming BAN IT NOW yet those hands would be straight under their arses if someone turned up on their doorstep tomorrow with a couple of homeless greys. Exactly. I have wondered how that side of things was handled (if at all) in the US when racing was banned in the various states. Was there an influx into rescues/pounds and therefore dogs not getting the attention they need before being responsibly rehomed? Were dogs killed by the hundreds, either humanely or otherwise? Was there an increase in neglect cases? I can only imagine that it was the latter options that happened, though obviously I have no idea. If after banning greyhound racing, how long did it take for the issue of "excess" greyhounds to rectify, or is it still an ongoing issue. As much as I wish that all animals weren't used for human entertainment for gambling purposes, I completely understand that a ban isn't the best option straight out. There would be too much of a fall out for the dogs, there just needs to be some serious overhauling of the industry and some independent regulatory bodies governing over it. Perhaps one day the "sport" could be phased out somehow, but getting up and just going 'right, it's banned', is never going to be a viable option. I'd assume the majority were probably transferred to states that still allow it and any remaining dogs were simply destroyed. No real reason to keep a heap of dogs that are now a financial drain.

In answer to point 3 - I have been receiving, on average, between 4 and 10 applications to adopt per day. Today? NONE. This is the affect the story has had on the public's willingness to adopt a greyhound. To be honest, I'm not surprised. I mentioned this to the OH and his reply was "It's not the dogs' fault" and he's absolutely right but then, would the average person want a dog who'd ripped other animals to pieces? It's hard enough educating people about prey drive (without them imagining greyhounds as just fast, skinny wolves) and then footage like that comes out

except plenty of innocent people will own those dogs and their progeny. I assume Kirislin means any progeny bred after the date of suspension. Simply put.. its progeny couldn't be registered as it was no longer a registered dog, which I think is actually quite a good idea.

Wasn't referring to you specifically but broadly speaking. If everyone who expressed outrage over that issue on FB or wherever had actually tossed in a bit of money (or better still, adopted), countless lives could have been saved. But saving lives never really seems to be the point of these things and that's what bothers me.

The ABC did do a story last year on greyhound wastage, people were outraged at the death of thousands of greyhounds for about 5 minutes and then it was business as usual Yes, but this time there are names attached to those who are doing this and indisputable evidence available. It is up to every one of us to make sure it isn't just business as usual - now we all know the truth. Well said Do your research there are plenty of names of trainers all over this country that take greys in to be euthed at greyhound vets every single day. Not one or two half a dozen at a time, that's how got my Maddie. So what's your plan of attack? I'm not being smart it's a genuine question to both of you. This. It's the same thing every time- "The public must act, we'll stop [whatever] from happening" and then Tony Abbott says something stupid again and everyone forgets and nothing changes. What I've noticed (and this is probably going to sound a bit cynical but whatever) is that people get all outraged- because it's no real effort- and then as soon as there's any actual work to be done, like a pack of meerkats who have noticed the shadow of an eagle hovering above them, they disappear in the blink of an eye. It really is quite a magic trick. I can remember that big thing that came up over the destruction of greyhounds- masses of people were horrified by the sheer numbers, the methods used and the cruelty involved when there was an alternative- rehoming. Here was a great opportunity for the public to get behind rescue and make real changes to the lives of real dogs. But curiously.. yeahno. Speaking from my own experience, no increase in donations, adoptions or even interest. Outrage is free, actually helping is not. I've all but given up rescuing because trying to raise enough money to keep going was backbreaking work (for those of us who have ethics, anyway) and yet here are all these people who could make a difference but would rather just talk about it. At the end of the day, it seems like a lot of people just enjoy the communal back-patting and moral superiority that comes along with the outrage so yeah.. I see stuff like this and I can't help but roll my eyes.

That's pretty much how it is and nothing except a complete overhaul would ever change that. It's an industry that could best be described as insular and whenever the "outside world" gets involved, it's usually for a bad reason (like one of these Four Corners specials). That lack of transparency is obviously one of the problems. Another problem is that it's a taught industry, for the most part. You learn it from your dad or your uncle or whatever- and the bad old ways are taught alongside newer stuff. I suspect there is probably some amount of change that happens naturally but it's not moving fast enough to keep up with modern welfare standards and probably never will.

That appeared to be a case of trying to create drive where there was none, generally speaking, prey drive is definitely not lacking in the racing bred dogs. I've assessed dogs who were so drivey that they bayed and carried on for hours after the small dog was taken away and the testing itself had to be done from behind a gate because it was obvious from the outset that their behaviour was going to be almost impossible to control. I would love it if the greys I got were less drivey because often, they're so driven that they'll chase and kill small dogs if given a chance. The issue is that with all the prey drive in the world, a slow dog is still a slow dog. Being keen on the lure doesn't make a badly bred grey into anything else but a lot of trainers believe it does.

Ugh, just typed a reply and then accidentally closed the tab. Anyways.. to answer the question.. There is allowing your dogs to chase other animals, which is still regulated against in the companion animal act (for NSW, section 16-17) unless the animal is vermin and then there is coursing, which legally is defined as.. "causes, procures, permits or encourages an activity in which an animal is released from confinement for the purpose of its being chased, caught or confined by a dog" (sect 21 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act) and is illegal. If you allow your whippets to chase rabbits in your paddock, legally, you're probably okay. But keeping rabbits for the purpose of releasing them for dogs to chase is another thing entirely.

cli-TOR-is..

Yep, that's what it sounds like to me I think I will suck out whatever remaining braincells I have by watching MKR instead :laugh: I'm with ya dude :) I doubt it'll be anything that's news to most people involved. Like the dog found with theobromine in its system. The trainer will say the dog got some chocolate ice cream or something as a treat, the AR people will say it was given chocolate for the caffeine content to cheat, the racing industry will say they're investigating and none of those things will make any difference to the actual dogs because for various reasons, we still can't have an adult conversation about the best way to solve the problems in the sport.

Have you seen 50 Shades of Grey read by Gilbert Gottfried? It was hilarious but at the same time.. it could probably be used as contraception.

Her injury does sound pretty minor but it occurred while she was trying to pull the dog off her daughter's dog. And by that, I have to assume the staffy wasn't just cuddling the other dog extra hard >.>

I don't know if I'd call a freeze dried food "raw" because.. it's not really raw? It looks more like a simpler version of VAN, except with dried roo meat in it. To actually answer the OP.. haven't tried it and given you could feed your dog proper raw for much less, I don't think I'd be at all inclined to try it.

There is a difference between packing your kid a healthy lunch of fresh foods and packing your kid supplements. If said kid is getting a good variety of foods, the diet shouldn't need to be "balanced" with dietary supplements. Also, I assume you are aware that Protexin isn't actually labeled for daily use in healthy dogs? There is a reason for that but I'm sure you've done your research and understand why that is.

The odd thing is, the trend has spread into other breeds where blue can be shown (and is therefore not rare), with the same results. Only a few weeks ago, I saw a litter of whippets advertised on Gumtree, including "rare" blue pups and even better, a "very rare" blue brindle. As soon as a "rare" colour starts getting traction within a breed, the BYBers are lining up to pump them out. Not long ago, there were hardly any unregistered whippet breeders down here and now there's a litter advertised every other week on Gumtree :/

Totally agree with the OP. My dogs eat raw meat/bones, no pureed vegetables/probiotics/powders or any of that sort of stuff, because they love it and it works well for them. They also get the odd bit of kibble- in their treat toys or because I've forgotten to defrost their dinner- and all sorts of food scraps: chicken kiev, gristle from steaks, cheesecake (the Shitty Whippet loves cheesecake ) and they're both partial to chicken nuggets and other rubbishy foods (especially if those foods involve bacon). Both are healthy and happy, without me having spent hours carefully plotting how much turmeric to mix into their coconut oil and shellfish slurry without throwing off the balance of the rose hips and unicorn dandruff powder.

That old face

In my experience with them, animal welfare isn't really what they're interested in. It's animal rights and those things aren't the same. In this context, having concerns about the welfare of the dogs compared to being opposed to making a dog run around a track because it's "cruel". If you have sensible points to make regarding welfare, I'm certainly not going to call you a nutter. Animal welfare is an area I feel very strongly about. Animals rights, on the other hand.. no. I believe that animal "rights" have the potential to compromise animal welfare because one is based on science and the other is based on too many Disney movies. I think you are both trying to make the same point here: that animal 'rights' groups like peta are dangerous and bullocks and that their influence in animal welfare is extremely negative. The difference in what you are both saying is that megan is saying that if you are interested in animal welfare only, the negative experiences of animal rights group have tarnished the reputation of those only concerned with welfare. Sorry, just felt there was a little talking last each other when you're actually in heated agreement - those that fervently believe in animal rights are ruining animal welfare for both people and animals. Whilst overbreeding is an issue, part of me is at least impressed that some of the overflow is 'usefully' used - even if it ends in euthanasia. The thoroughbred racing industry doesn't even have that... Down here, a lot of TBs end up as greyhound food so it's really not much different.

In my experience with them, animal welfare isn't really what they're interested in. It's animal rights and those things aren't the same. In this context, having concerns about the welfare of the dogs compared to being opposed to making a dog run around a track because it's "cruel". If you have sensible points to make regarding welfare, I'm certainly not going to call you a nutter. Animal welfare is an area I feel very strongly about. Animals rights, on the other hand.. no. I believe that animal "rights" have the potential to compromise animal welfare because one is based on science and the other is based on too many Disney movies.

Well I don't think ringing trainers and threatening to harm their children is normal behaviour do you? Calling a trainer in the middle of the night because they have a greyhound on Gumtree FTGH and saying nothing but "watch your back scum" and hanging up. I have spoken to several trainers who have had threats made to them by these faceless heroes. I myself have had my name slandered on the AA pages labelling me a dog killer because I not only have friends that are trainers but work with decent ones to help home their greys. So yeah I stand by my branding of nutter. That's the way I feel about it. Maybe I'd have more sympathy for the activists if some of them hadn't come after me and made threats, called me all sorts of really nasty things and then, when they ran out of insults, they just made sh*t up. Bearing in mind, I don't race greyhounds (never have, never will), I've spent more than eight years working to find homes for greyhounds. But because I "help" trainers by taking dogs from them, I'm an enemy of their movement, a monster, and apparently deserve to have my name and contact details (as well as other means of stalking) published on FB. Anti-racing people have told others not to support my rescue in any way and to boycott what I do. Bluntly put, that kills dogs. I struggled to keep a small rescue going, worked my arse off trying to raise funds to be able to take more dogs but in the end, it just got too much. I put myself into debt in an effort to continue rescuing and these people, these "animal lovers", purposely sabotaged that. So.. yeah.. not much love from me.