Old School Alaskan

Greyhound Racing Banned - is Sled Dog Racing next?

Yesterday a supermajority of voters in Florida voted to ban greyhound racing in their State. Because a vast majority of race tracks in the United States are located in Florida and racing remains legal in only a handful of other States, some of which have no active racing tracks at all, many fear the result of the Florida decision will mean the end of greyhound racing in the entire United States. This is reflected in a press release issued by the Human Society of the United States (HSUS). "Florida is home to 11 of the remaining 17 greyhound racing tracks in the country. The groups hope that passage of Amendment 13 sounds the death knell for an industry that is responsible for inflicting pain, suffering and death on thousands of gentle greyhound dogs."

I'll be first to admit that I know very little about greyhound racing. I do, however, know a little bit about the mindset of do-gooders and the animal rights industry. Large or small, animal rights organizations, like any others, need to raise money. Otherwise they cease to exist, their paid staff is forced to find other employmemt and voluneers are forced to find other causes to fulfil their psychological needs.

Even as they declare victory these organizations must seek out other targets on which to generate public outrage and generate donations. Less than 24 hours after the results of the Florida election were available People of the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA) is already doing so. Under the headline "Victory! Dog-Racing Industry CRUSHED After Florida Votes to Ban Races" PeTA blogger Michelle Kretzer wrote "Now, PETA is working to shut down canine blood banks that hold dogs captive..."

Please note that these activist organizations are not promoting improved standards of care for dogs - they are promoting the outright ban of activities with which they disapprove and in the case of greyhound racing, they are apparently celebrating some success, and turning their sights onto the next target.

Sled Dogs are already in the Crosshairs

Many animal rights fanatics already target not only sled dog racing, but literally all disciplines and aspects of dog mushing. Florida based Sled Dog Action Coalition is a long-time opponent of dog mushing, bolstered by the efforts of Humane Mushing and other small-scale, highly focused activist groups. PeTA has already heeded the siren's call, targeting the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race as well as the commercial dog sled touring industry.

Quite simply, there is no reason to believe that animal rights fanatics will not attempt to ban the avocation of dog mushing. The issue is too much of a potential money-maker for their organizations to ignore.

Update:

On November 8th, Ashley Keith sent a message stating "Just an FYI - neither SDAC nor Humane Mushing have ever taken in donations or payments of any kind." Ms. Keith is a self-proclaimed Sled Dog Activist associated with both organizations.