October 14, 2010

Dear Friends,

This morning, GREY2K USA released a groundbreaking report on greyhound racing in Iowa.

The details of the report are sad, but also remind us of why greyhound racing must end.  A few highlights:

• At Iowa dog tracks, greyhounds are confined in small cages for 19-21 hours per day.
  
  
• 530 greyhound injuries were reported at Iowa tracks between January 2006 and August 2010.  57% of all reported injuries involved broken legs, and other reported injuries include puncture wounds, fractured skulls and paralysis.
  
  
• State breeding statistics cannot account for hundreds of greyhound puppies.
  
  
• Dog Racing is a dying industry in Iowa.  Gambling on dog racing has declined by more than 95% at Iowa racetracks, and the tracks themselves acknowledge that dog racing is no longer viable.  Greyhound racing only exists today because it is subsidized by other forms of gambling, and these subsidy dollars could be better used to fund non-profit organizations or state programs.
  
  
• Cases of greyhound neglect have been documented in Iowa.
  
  
• Greyhounds in Iowa are fed meat from diseased animals to reduce costs.
  
  
• Greyhounds have died in Iowa while being transported.
  
  
• Greyhounds in Iowa compete in extreme weather conditions.

Our report was covered in today’s Des Moines Register, and over the next several days we will be meeting with newspapers across the state to talk about these important issues.

Finally, we would like to specifically thank the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who helped make this report possible.  GREY2K USA is only able to fight for the greyhounds because of the support we receive from groups like the ASPCA, and from caring people like you.  Please help us continue this important work by making a generous donation today, to allow us to continue fighting for Iowa’s greyhounds.

We will not stop working until dog racing ends in Iowa, and every other state in the country.  With your help, we are confident that this cruelty will soon end!

For the greyhounds,

Christine Dorchak and Carey Theil
GREY2K USA