Going to dog track? Remember greyhound racing abusive

I know all you snowbirds (and some year-round residents) want to make every minute count while you're back in the Sunshine state. Here is some information to help you make an informed choice when you want to enjoy a gambling venue.

Greyhounds are gentle, loving dogs who deserve a good life in a loving home. In case you think dog racing is the same as horse racing, let me assure you, it is not!

In a home environment, greyhounds can live up to 13 good years. The average racing career for these dogs is 3.5 to 4 years. Thanks to many wonderful organizations, many of these dogs are adopted, but thousands are not. According to the Humane Society, 20,000 to 25,000 greyhounds are destroyed each year, many by gunshot. Some are sold to research facilities and some are shipped to foreign countries to race there.

During their racing careers, they live in crates or pens. Some "lucky" ones live in fenced enclosures with little human contact. The gruel they are fed causes tooth decay and loss.

And greyhounds aren't the only animals abused by this system; 100,000 domestic rabbits and wild jackrabbits are maimed or killed each year during training.

Since many people have become educated, attendance has fallen. The industry is now pushing for slot machines at the tracks. The gambling industry and its lobbyists have flooded Florida state legislators with contributions, despite the Florida electorate's repeated defeats of expanded gambling in the state.

So, while you're in the lounge, remember that these gentle creatures are literally dying to race.

Linda Dirk

Lakewood Ranch

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Going to dog track? Remember greyhound racing abusive ."