Stop Greyhounds Racing in Wichita

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BACKGROUND

Kansas state officials are considering bill 319, which would allow the Wichita Greyhound Park racetrack to reopen for business and profit from the breeding and training of greyhounds. If passed, the bill would allow slot machines at Kansas racetracks, thereby providing the revenue necessary for the Wichita Greyhound Park racetrack to reopen and continue racing greyhounds. The bill is sponsored by the Kansas Committee on Federal and State Affairs and is set to be discussed by the Kansas Senate soon. Greyhound racing is not a sport; the dogs run because they are forced to. An estimated 50,000 greyhounds are killed each year by the dog racing industry because they sustain injuries such as broken legs or backs or fail to win. Most of those killed are less than 3 years old, and breeding dogs for racing contributes to the already severe dog overpopulation problem.

Please send a polite e-mail to U.S Representative Mike Pompeo here and also make a quick and courteous call to his office at 316-262-8992. Please also contact U.S. Senator Jerry Moran via e-mail here and call him at 316-631-1410. Urge both Pompeo and Moran to prevent cruelty to animals by opposing Senate Bill 319, which would allow the greyhound racetrack to reopen. (Please note that only constituents can send an e-mail using the Web form provided. Others should call the offices.)

WHOM TO CONTACT

The Honorable
Steve Brunk
Kansas State Representative
785-296-7645
steve.brunk@house.ks.gov 

The Honorable
Judith Loganbill
Kansas State Representative
785-296-7669
judith.loganbill@house.ks.gov

Please also use the above webform links if you live in Kansas, thank you.


SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Honorable Brunk and Honorable Loganbill,

I am writing today to share with you my shock at learning about the brutality inflicted on innocent greyhounds for racing purposes and the subsequent push to approve Senate Bill 319, which would allow the Wichita Greyhound Park racetrack to reopen for business and profit from the breeding and training of greyhounds.

The logistics of greyhound racing are inherently cruel as the industry profits immensely from the exploitation of greyhounds, causing thousands of greyhound deaths annually.  These unfortunate animals are forced to endure horrible conditions and are subjected to unethical practices.  If a dog fails to perform according to racing standards, for example, the dog will be abandoned or killed.  Puppies, sadly, are sold into vivisection if deemed unsuitable.  Shockingly, retired greyhounds are treated with indifference and even cruelty, abandoned or killed as well.  These animals are also forced to endure upwards of 23 hours per day in confinement due to limited space.

Animals, including humans, are sentient, capable of love, pain, grief, and suffering.  It is our obligation to provide compassion and protection, and when we fail at our most important of responsibilities, we invite grief and indifference to our society.  These animals are objectified and forced to either perform or die torturous deaths.  We cannot allow this barbarity to continue while ignoring the suffering humans cause.  The goal of this industry, as like any industry, is profit.  It is cost prohibitive to provide comfort, room to move, superior diet, and medical care.  Instead, these animals are discarded, treated no better than garbage, if the performance does not match racing requirements.   I therefore ask that you please provide your support to prohibit greyhound racing.

For additional information, please review the following websites:

http://www.greytexploitations.com/
http://www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/

Thank you for taking the time to read this message.

NAME



SEE MORE

• Go Vegan
• Cruelty-Free
• Animal Wrongs
  

am a galgo,greyhound, I am built for speed, but now I run from man’s misdeeds

Galgos/greyhounds

I do not mind running
or hunting for you
That is how I am built
That is what I do
But why do you hurt me
When with me you are done
You kill or desert me
When I no longer won
I am a galgo of soft eyes
And softer demeanor
I love all my humans
And am quite a good leaner
Please do not throw me away
In your heart let me stay

no more greyhound racing
not another day!!!!!

Karen Lyons Kalmenson