IS THREE TIMES A CHARM
"People say greyhounds are born and bred to run," comments Co-Chair of the Committee to Protect Dogs, Christine A. Dorchak. "My response is, 'Sure, but they are not born and bred to run around in circles.'"

This greyhound advocate is leading a grass-roots effort, once again, to save the 1,000 or so greyhounds maintained at each of the two active Massachusetts dog tracks, Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere and Raynham Park in Raynham- Taunton, by putting an issue on the ballot which will phase out greyhound racing in this state by 2010.

Ask any rescue greyhound owner about their dog, and you will get an earful about what wonderful pets they are. Although most greyhound owners have never visited a dog track, they have a good idea about their dogs' previous life and the conditions they endured because the dogs know nothing about living except spending 20 or more hours a day in a small cage barely large enough for them to stand up or turn around in. Their human contact is limited, their socialization and enrichment skills are nonexistent. To keep costs down, they are fed raw meat deemed unfit for human consumption.

Betsy Johnson knows firsthand about the plight and conditions of many of these dogs coming directly off the track because she was kennel manager for Fast Friends, a greyhound rescue group in New Hampshire. She taught numerous greyhounds rudimentary skills like climbing stairs, playing with toys and riding in cars. Two years ago, she adopted her own personal greyhound, Carly, a beautiful black female. "I grew up with labs," Betsy explained, "and so Carley's personality - really sweet, responsive and friendly - seemed a natural fit for me. And it was the right time for me to bring a dog into my life." They live on Nantucket but go everywhere together, "Have dog will travel," Betsy claims.

Carly is one of the lucky ones. Tens of thousands of greyhounds are bred each year to produce a few good racers. Puppies may be killed or culled out if they lack potential, and at any time, if injury or a slowdown occurs, a dogs' days are numbered. Because there is limited kennel space at these tracks, greyhounds entering the system displace an equivalent number of racing dogs. According to GREY2K statistics, some 15,000-20,000 animals drop out of the system, unaccounted for, each year.

Nationwide, dog racing is a dying industry. Now permitted in only 16 states, with two of those states closing all tracks, in recent years, greyhound racing has been banned in several states through legislative measures. In Massachusetts, during the last four years, total dollars gambled declined 57 percent at Wonderland and 35 percent at Raynham. Unbelievably, in 2001, track owners and managers asked for, and received, a $5 million tax break from Bay State legislators by stating their industry was in trouble. Fact is, Americans just prefer less controversial and more humane forms of gambling.

The proposed Greyhound Protection Act is now in its initial phase, petitioning. Statewide, volunteers are working to obtain the 120,000 signatures they have determined are needed by November 21 to propose the Act for inclusion on the ballot in next November's election.

This is now the third time advocates are working to achieve their goal of closing down the Massachusetts tracks. In the year 2000, in the closest election in state history, the ballot question to phase out greyhound racing in this state, resoundingly supported by Nantucket voters, was defeated by less than a two percent margin statewide.

Last year, a properly supported initiative to put the question to a vote once again was dismissed by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on a technical disqualification because the Act addressed more than one issue, even though past multi-issue measures had been allowed.

Older and wiser now, the greyhound advocates refuse to be deterred. The Committee to Protect Dogs, a coalition of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Humane Society of the United States, and greyhound protection group GREY2K USA, has limited its ballot issue, the Greyhound Protection Act, to just one topic, phasing out dog racing by 2010. They are certain that by educating the Massachusetts voters about the conditions endured by these sweet-natured and graceful animals in the name of sport, the dogs will finally receive the protection they deserve.

These beautiful, innocent greyhounds need your help. Sign a petition at either Geronimo's or the Nantucket MSPCA, or volunteer to help gather signatures yourself. There are still two weeks left and

just one more signature can make a difference. I

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop, and is a member of DWAA and CWA (Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America). Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and three cats. At the shop are cats Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower bunny, Millie guinea pig and two budgies. Send email to jan@geronimos.com.