Argentina Bans Greyhound Racing

Surely you have already heard of greyhound racing. A billionaire turnover all over the world, with thousands of deaths every year. Dirty money, disguised as sport, attraction, fun. In countries like the United States or England, millions of spectators crowd the stands and bet on dog racing.

It seems like a truly anachronistic speech, considering the role that dogs play in our society today. Man has learned to respect four-legged friends, making them protagonists of his own life. To the point of training them as assistants to patients, for psychological therapies, up to rescue in emergency situations and disasters. Fortunately, we can tell you some good news that comes from Latin America. The Argentine government has in fact decided to abolish and make illegal greyhound racing.

Greyhound racing, Argentina says no

The fact that this good news comes from the Argentine country has a high symbolic value. It should be borne in mind, in fact, that we are talking about one of the nations with the greatest tradition of dog racing. In particular, in Argentina the Spanish Galgo is used, a breed of greyhound that will finally be able to live in complete tranquility.

The choice of the Buenos Aires government to vote for the abolition of dog racing was motivated by months and months of civil demonstrations and protests. Animal rights and animal rights associations carried out a wide awareness campaign. The noise generated was so high that it forced the political forces to face the issue head on.

Obviously, the path for the abolition of greyhound racing had to collide with strong opposition from the “galgueros”. Entrepreneurs, breeders and bookmakers who saw a really important source of income at risk. Multi-million dollar income made by sacrificing the health and lives of thousands of dogs across Argentina.

While the politicians were locked in the boardroom, in order to complete the vote, in the streets the police had to intervene between opposing factions. The clashes were very violent, as always happens when a lobby tries to protect its privileges.

Fortunately, the motion to make racing illegal was passed by a large majority. The Argentine government agreed to ban greyhound racing forever with 132 votes in favor. Only 17 politicians voted against and 23 abstained. Really a great achievement for freedom and animal rights.

Prison and fines for offenders

To understand the importance of the law, promoted by a senator from the Civic Coalition party, we need to know some details better. For example, the fact that the ban on greyhound racing is extended to all breeds. Furthermore, violators will have to pay very high administrative penalties. Sentence of imprisonment ranging from 3 months to 4 years and fines ranging from four thousand dollars, but in serious cases, up to 80 thousand dollars.

The satisfaction of those who have fought for this ban for years is understandable. Among all, the Galgo Project Association which, through a representative, comments on this excellent result.

“The living and training conditions of these animals were really unbearable. Often they were locked up in dark cells, to nullify their personality. To train them to run, they were tied to the course and often dragged to death. All this without forgetting the use of drugs and exciting substances. A competition galgo was treated with strychnine, arsenic, ephedrine, steroids and even viagra. In addition, a few minutes before the competition, they were injected into the neck or chest with methamphetamines and liquid cocaine with vitamins ”.

Among the many veterinarians who participated in the initiatives in defense of greyhounds, the statements of Dr. Andrea Diratchette stand out : “ Dogs that do not die immediately after the race, came to us with multiple fractures, systemic problems, cardiac arrest. Those who could no longer run were eliminated or forced upstream “.

There are still  many countries where greyhound racing  continues to be allowed, as well as sponsored and accepted by the public. We hope that this little miracle that happened in Argentina will be an example and will infect all those nations that say they are civilized but that, too often, forget to protect the rights of their most defenseless children. The animals.