October 21, 2010

Dear Friends,

   While campaigning in Iowa last week, I took the time to observe operations at the state's two dog tracks – and I also visited the long-closed Waterloo Greyhound Park. 

   I was startled to see a Pepsi ad prominently displayed on the Dubuque dog track tote board.  In fact, it is the only ad on the tote board, suggesting that Pepsi may be a sponsor of the facility!  Please join me in sending a letter of complaint to Pepsi.  My correspondence, faxed yesterday, appears below. 


   Let's ask Pepsi to take its own challenge and abandon its unthinking endorsement of the cruelty of dog racing! Sign our petition below.

You may also send your comments via e-mail: 

http://cr.pepsi.com/usen/pepsiusen.cfm?date=20101020

For the greyhounds,

 Christine

 **************************************************************
Via facsimile and First Class Mail
914-253-2070

October 20, 2010

PepsiCo, Inc.
700 Anderson Hill Rd.
Purchase, NY 10577

Ladies and Gentlemen,

My name is Christine Dorchak and I am the president and general counsel of GREY2K USA, a national, non-profit organization working to pass laws to protect racing greyhounds.  Since our formation in 2001, the dog racing industry has been cut in half.  Forty-nine tracks in fifteen states have now been reduced to twenty-three in just seven.  One of these remaining tracks is Dubuque Greyhound Park in Iowa, which is the subject of this letter. 

While observing operations at the track one recent Saturday, I saw the Pepsi logo blazoned on the racetrack tote board.  Its appearance seems to indicate your company’s endorsement of dog racing. 

At this time, I would like to request that you discontinue any advertising or sponsorship of the cruelty of dog racing at Dubuque.  Racing commission records show that dogs live in extreme confinement, and are kept in warehouse style kennels inside small, stacked cages for 19-20 hours a day.  When they are taken out of these cages to race, these gentle friends face the risk of serious injury.  In fact, state records show that over five hundred dogs were injured from January 2006 – August 2010 in Iowa.  The overwhelming majority of injuries were broken legs, and other injuries included fractured skulls, puncture wounds and paralysis.  You may read our full report here: http://www.grey2kusa.org/pdf/IowaReport2010sm.pdf

For the sake of Pepsi’s reputation and its standing in the community, I request that you sever your support, or apparent support, of the cruelty of dog racing. 

 I look forward to your reply and appreciate your consideration.

Sincerely,

Christine A. Dorchak, Esq.
GREY2K USA