KatzNK9
11-06-2007, 11:09 PM
Greyhound Deaths Prompt New Look at Ark. Dog Track (http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=4851303&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1)
The deaths of seven greyhounds at a West Memphis track this summer prompted Arkansas racing officials to call for a review Tuesday of the rules for handling racing dogs.
Members of the Arkansas Racing Commission said they were concerned about an Aug. 9 fight that erupted among a group of greyhounds at Southland Gaming and Racing's track. A state veterinarian told commissioners that one dog was dead when she arrived at the track. The others had to be euthanized.
Shane Bolender, Southland's racing director, told the commission the fight broke out among the dogs during 100-plus degree heat that afternoon when the dogs were in a "turnout pen."
"A fight erupted in the male pen, and it was two males going at it. There was a lot of extracurricular activity and excitement generated in the pen with the other dogs," Bolender told the commission. "It didn't take long for the dogs to overheat."
Bolender said the track discontinued its contract with the kennel company that oversaw the pen where the fight erupted.
Lisa Robinson, a racing commission veterinarian assigned to the dog track, said one dog was dead when she arrived at the track and she had to euthanize two others. The other dogs were euthanized by a local veterinarian, she said.
"We had been at 102, 103 or sometimes higher...and basically we needed the proper amount of help there," Robinson said after Tuesday's commission meeting. "It was just a combination of things that just kind of came together."
Robinson said she couldn't remember any similar incidents occurring at the track during her 10 years there. She said only one person was supervising both the male and female turnout pens when the dog fight occurred.
Continuation of article on link.
The deaths of seven greyhounds at a West Memphis track this summer prompted Arkansas racing officials to call for a review Tuesday of the rules for handling racing dogs.
Members of the Arkansas Racing Commission said they were concerned about an Aug. 9 fight that erupted among a group of greyhounds at Southland Gaming and Racing's track. A state veterinarian told commissioners that one dog was dead when she arrived at the track. The others had to be euthanized.
Shane Bolender, Southland's racing director, told the commission the fight broke out among the dogs during 100-plus degree heat that afternoon when the dogs were in a "turnout pen."
"A fight erupted in the male pen, and it was two males going at it. There was a lot of extracurricular activity and excitement generated in the pen with the other dogs," Bolender told the commission. "It didn't take long for the dogs to overheat."
Bolender said the track discontinued its contract with the kennel company that oversaw the pen where the fight erupted.
Lisa Robinson, a racing commission veterinarian assigned to the dog track, said one dog was dead when she arrived at the track and she had to euthanize two others. The other dogs were euthanized by a local veterinarian, she said.
"We had been at 102, 103 or sometimes higher...and basically we needed the proper amount of help there," Robinson said after Tuesday's commission meeting. "It was just a combination of things that just kind of came together."
Robinson said she couldn't remember any similar incidents occurring at the track during her 10 years there. She said only one person was supervising both the male and female turnout pens when the dog fight occurred.
Continuation of article on link.