I automatically put on the gas and hit the control box. Instantly the motors roar and I stretch my weary arms -- arms made tired from transporting 60 pound dogs from the cooler to the burner.

I slowly walk through the two doors leading directly to the parking area. Just getting ready to turn down the drive is a light blue pickup truck loaded with another 20 or so greyhounds that will be put to death within the next 10 or so minutes -- and nothing will ever be said. The greyhounds that end up at the shelter were just entering the prime of their life, but were just seconds too slow for racing. I saw some racers that were perfectly healthy, with good flesh and good temperament, only to die because they did not win at the tracks. I saw wounds, gashes, infections and broken legs that were left untreated. I saw dehydration, starvation, infestation of parasites, anemia, torn ears and flesh from track accidents or fights. Finally in August of 1992, I could not take it any longer. I had received twelve dogs from an owner/trainer, only to find five dogs in deplorable condition. I had to take a stand, not just for the five greyhounds in question, but the 1200 plus other racing greyhounds who never had a chance.

I turned all the evidence over to the Bennington County Humane Society. I believe that with this evidence and other key factors, dog racing no longer takes place in the State of Vermont.

Reflections by John Perreault on the 1200+ greyhounds euthanized during his five year tenure as shelter staffer at the MSPCA, Pittsfield, Mass. Excerpts taken from MSPCA People and a letter by Perreault to the Massachusetts legislature in support of a ban on greyhound racing. (HB899)

It is time to bring the evils of greyhound racing out of the closet. With more pressure from the public and humane organizations, maybe we could put a stop to all this killing of innocents -- those greyhounds that are seconds too slow on the tracks."