Stop dog racing in its tracks

I watched Carte Blanche with absolute disgust on Sunday, 10 August.

The story of Greyhound racing possibly being legalised, had my blood boiling. Not only do I think it is cruel and inhuman, I think the people behind it should be caged.

According to the story, dog racing has been banned in South Africa since 1946 as hundreds of dogs have been severely injured while chasing a mechanical lure around the race track. Pro-racing lobbyists say if it is legalised, it can be controlled. Yet, these are the same people who race their animals illegally, proving they have no regard for any rules and regulations put in place.

They also say they love their animals. In my opinion, you cannot love your animal if you are willing to put it in harm’s way. Breeding and racing your dogs until they drop dead, doping and keeping the dogs in awful conditions, is no way to treat something you claim to love.

What happens to the animals that cannot race anymore? Will they land up in animal shelters waiting to get a new home, thrown away like a piece of rubbish or will they just be put down? No one will ever know.

I also think the people betting on these dogs are just as bad. Without these people who are willing to bet money on the dogs, dog racing would not even be a consideration.

If dog racing is legalised, should we legalise dog fighting and cock fighting as well? I think not.

I will be joining the people against dog racing, in a bid to get it stopped in its tracks.

What do you think?