All opposed to legalising dog racing

A recent proposal by government that they might consider to legalise dog racing in the country, has animal activists up in arms.

The recent publication of the proposed Draft National Gambling Norms and Standards in the Government Gazette No 37653 of 23 May 2014, states that greyhound racing should be regulated by legislation.

This has been slammed by the NSPCA as “ruthless exploitation in the name of gambling”. Dog racing has been illegal in South Africa since 1949.

“People must accept the fact that running and racing are two different things,” stated Jaco Pieterse, Senior Inspector at NSPCA.

“Dog racers themselves will say greyhounds love to run, yet again their dogs are confined for most of their lives in small cages. Human athletes can decide whether or not to run with injuries or to take drugs, dogs cannot.”

Pieterse believes that South Africa already lacks proper law enforcement and therefore, regulatory measures will not be enforced properly.

Debbie Kegel of Randburg SPCA agrees. “This cannot be legalised, we are totally opposed to the utilisation of animals for financial gain.”

Kegel further stated that even though these dogs are well looked after while they are working racing dogs, these racing lifespans are short.

“When the dogs get too old, injured or incapacitated somehow, they are abandoned.”

“Racing of this nature results in incredible cruelty. If these animals can’t race, they are simply dumped,” said Friends of Rescued Animals (Fora) shelter manager, Linda Scrace. “Shelters will be inundated with unwanted greyhounds because legalising it will encourage people to breed greyhounds to make money.”

Animal Saints Charity chairperson Viv Elliot plans to rally activists and lobby the government. “Internationally, greyhound racing is banned,” continues Elliot.“Why would we want it to be legal in our supposed first world country?”

Details: Randburg SPCA 011 462 1610 or www.spcarandburg.co.za