Some unpalatable greyhound truths
October 19th 2008 07:22
If only it were always like this
It has been a month of insights into a unique aspect of the greyhound breed, and of having them as pets. This is about muzzles and keeping them on-leash at all times.
At the start of the month I heard the sad news that a greyhound had attacked and killed a small dog in a Melbourne, Australia, park. The park was a dedicated dog park and completely fenced in. The greyhound was an ex-racer and had been acquired through the Greyhound Adoption Program. As such, it was allowed by law to be in public without a muzzle. In the end we had two devastated pet owners because the greyhound had to be put down.
Last week came news from England of a another attack by a greyhound on a small dog. This time the damage to the small dog was slight, but the damage to the reputation of greyhounds was considerable because the distressed owner of the small dog contacted a tabloid newspaper which lambasted the irresponsibility of owners of vicious animals. The newspaper's on-line version of the story received many comments in a similar vein.
And then this morning I saw someone else's greyhound get loose in the street. I saw it sprint after a cat and corner it. In the end it did no more than bark at the terrified cat until its owner arrived and dragged it away, but this could easily have been another tragedy.
The truth is that we greyhound owners have to battle against prejudices and ignorance. The truth is that laws forcing greyhounds to be muzzled in public are antiquated. The truth is that greyhounds are amongst the gentlest of breeds, indeed the gentlest of animals, and it is sad that owners are constantly confronted with rules and attitudes which do not reflect reality.
The truth also is that greyhounds can be killing machines and that too few owners recognise the danger.
Any greyhound which has been bred and trained for racing - and that is the great majority - has been taught to chase. They don't all want to kill, but it is a fine line given the intensive training to chase.
Greyhounds must never be let off the lead in public. Given their size, speed, agility and extraordinary speed, any loose greyhound can kill if it wants to. It is an unpalatable edict for people who keep these ancient, noble and loving dogs as pets, but it is a truth nevertheless. If this rule is strictly adhered to, then the wearing of muzzles becomes redundant.
Unfortunately, the rule is not always adhered to, and the result is continuing tragedies and near tragedies.
I urge all greyhound owners who do not agree completely with these words to go to this web site and read the essay by Canadian Stuart McLean about this 5,000-year-old breed, including the full and compelling argument for keeping them on-leash at all times in public.
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