Dog Racing - Gambling with the Lives of Dogs

.TheNSPCA: Dog racing - gambling with the lives of dogs The dog racing industry treats dogs like running machines. The Information and photos dog is on the track for only a few minutes before spending many provided by the NSPCA long hours in a confined cage or kennel. This is a cruel sport and, Compiled by despite dog racing not being permitted under South African law, Kotie Geldenhuys some people participate in dog racing in one way or another. he NSPCA has been working on National Gambling Norms and It is indefensible to consider legalising an industry that the dog racing issue since 1993 Standards Bill in 2014 which included would require strict policing to control abuse when the Tand has gathered a lot of infor- greyhound racing, among other gambling SAPS is already stretched to maximum capacity, dealing mation, from around the world, which activities. with other crime.To divert valuable policing services in indicates that this activity is highly prob- order to monitor what is just a "hobby'' for some peo- lematic, prone to abuse and produces Based on all the evidence that the ple could not be condoned. vast numbers of surplus animals. NSPCA has gathered throughout the years, it firmly opposes the legalisation As mentioned earlier, dog racing is declining in other On the surface, or "at the races", it may of dog racing. The NSPCA's objections parts of the world and racetracks are closing. It appears appear that this activity is not problem- to the legalisation are based on the fol- that this is a dying industry. In the UK, the latest figures atic. Certainly, on the day of the race, lowing facts: from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), which happens in public, there may not n animal abuse is inherent in this the governing body for licensed greyhound racing, show be a mass of evident problems, but the industry that the country's 25 racecourses lost £5.5 million ways in which the dogs are kept, trained, n law enforcement is hugely problem- (R98 million) in 2013. There is growing consensus that bred and disposed of also have to be atic; and dog racing should not be supported at all, nor rein- considered, as that is where the majori- n social concerns associated with it stalled in countries where it has been banned for ty of problems lie. are apparent and relevant. decades. Dog racing has been illegal in South Government subsidies Legislation overview Africa for more than half a century, after Government subsidies for dog racing Activities that are proven to be harmful to animals, being banned in 1949. In 2011, a govern- occur in other parts of the world. The such as dog racing and dog fighting, are illegal in other ment commission looked into the possi- NSPCA believes that it is morally inde- parts of the world. South Africa is no exception. In fact, bility of legalising greyhound racing, but fensible for funds to be utilised for a in some parts of the world, where dog racing was legal the majority ruled that it should not be sporting activity such as this when there in the past, legislation has now been instituted to ban it. legalised. Despite the commission's deci- are so many critical challenges in South Social responsibility and an increasing awareness of the sions, the Department of Trade and Africa, such as in terms of providing reality behind dog racing have led to an ever increasing Industry (DTI) put forward a new draft basic services to communities. and progressive approach of rejecting this unnecessary 52 Januarie 2015 ervamus activity. The majority of USA states have which it stated that KUSA, which is banned dog racing, except for seven recognised internationally, wishes to states that allow this cruel sport to con- make it known that it is opposed to tinue on the country's 21 remaining dog the introduction of greyhound rac- tracks. ing in South Africa. n In a position statement on grey- In South Africa, there have been numer- hound racing, the South African ous bids to legalise dog racing over the Veterinary Association (SAVA) years and the NSPCA, together with opposed the legalisation of grey- other animal protection groups, have hound racing in South Africa. given evidence before a number of government commissions investigating South African legislation this matter. Each bid has failed. Dog racing is prohibited in South Africa in terms of four different ordinances: In the Free State High Court, in United n Ordinance 4 of 1949: Abolition of Greyhound Racing and Breeders dog race meetings and the prohibi- Society v Vrystaat Dobbel en tion of betting on dog races - sec- Wedren Raad en Andere 2003(2) tions 1 to 6 [p1 & 2] (Transvaal); SA 269 (0), the applicants sought an n Ordinance 11 of 1986: Prohibition of order in the following terms: dog races - sections 1 to 2 (Cape n The Ordinance against dog racing Province); had become abrogated by disuse as n Ordinance 23 of 1985: Prohibition of there were no efforts to enforce it. dog race meetings - Sections 1 to 4 n Alternatively, it has been substituted (Natal); by implication by the Free State n Ordinance 11 of 1976: dog race Gambling and Racing Act 6 of 1996. meetings - section 1 to 4 (Orange n Further, or alternatively, its provi- Free State). sions were unconstitutional. In terms of these ordinances, all dog rac- The applicants failed on all counts and ing is illegal (including greyhound and had insufficient funds to pay the cost sled dog racing), whether or not betting orders made against them. takes place. Gambling is now legal in South Africa Many people think that because dogs are and proponents argue that the ban on involved, the SPCA has the responsibili- dog racing should be lifted due to the ty of enforcing these ordinances, but this change in gambling laws. However, many is, in actual fact, the responsibility of the things have changed since 1949, including SAPS. The NSPCA acknowledges that been made in terms of humane education widely South Africa becoming a fully-fledged the SAPS has to deal with hundreds of encompassing issues such as respect, awareness and democracy and the introduction of the pieces of legislation and that this aspect social responsibility, which have been shown by accept- Animals Protection Act being promulgat- of law enforcement may be uncommon ed international research to be linked to animal cruelty. ed in 1962. or unfamiliar to many police members, but says that it is nevertheless the Currently, a small minority of people wish to undertake The following statements come from responsibility of the SAPS to undertake dog racing, largely for financial gain. As one proponent other bodies that are also strongly any investigations and uphold the law. said: "If we can't race them (the greyhounds) and we opposed to dog racing: can't hunt with them, then what must we do with A cruel gambling game with a them?" This statement illustrates the view of some dog The following statements are also few participants racers according to which these dogs are not pets, but strongly opposing dog racing: Dog racing is harmful and many South are merely tools that are utilised to make money. n The Kennel Union of Southern Africans find it offensive and unneces- Africa (KUSA) indicated its stance sary. It offers no benefit to our society as The abuse these dogs suffer on dog racing, regarding greyhounds a whole and, in fact, the NSPCA believes Racing dogs are not pets, they are racing machines that in particular, in a media statement in that it undermines the strides that have suffer at the hands of an inhumane industry. January 2015 ervamus 53.

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