Animal rights group speaks out vs. dog racing!

We’re in the midst of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week and the theme for this year’s activities is "Exclusion to Equality: Realizing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities." Today, there is a Forum on Accessibility and Rights of PWDs at the SM Conference Hall. SM has been awarded as the "Most Disabled Friendly Mall" in the country, which they have been for many years now. All the more now that its chairman Mr. Henry Sy Sr. in his advance age now uses a wheelchair. Someday, if we don’t die young, we too would appreciate having a disabled-friendly shopping mall.

Tomorrow, the NDPR’s culminating activity is a Walk Hand-in-Hand in Style Fashion show sponsored by the Clothes for Life Foundation, organization of the different Best Sought Designers of Cebu. This activity is done by the Organization of Rehabilitation Agencies (ORA) headed by Mrs. Lourdes Jereza and will be attended by fashionistas and of course PWDs.

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Todate, I still didn’t hear any response from the Fox New Millennium Amusement Club, Inc. who got a Congressional Franchise to operate a Greyhound Dog Racing in Mandaue City. Nor have we heard a peep from Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes whether he would allow this abomination under his watch? But here’s a letter emailed to me on this issue.

"Dear Mr. Avila, I hope this email finds you well! My name is Rochelle and I work with PETA Asia, an animal rights group based in Manila and an affiliate of the world's largest animal rights organization in the world, which has more than 2 million members and supporters. I am writing to thank you for your Shooting Straight column that ran on 7 July ("What? Congress wants dog racing in Mandaue?"). We wholeheartedly agree - the proposal of Fox New Millennium Amusement Club Inc. (FNMACI) was not open to public comment despite the fact that it is clearly within the realm of public interest.

 As such, all interested parties should have been given an opportunity to submit written comments. Allowing only those with a vested interest in this plan to be involved in the application process can only be construed as an attempt to sanction this deal behind closed doors, and it undermines the confidence of Filipinos about the openness and transparency of their government.

Equally troubling is the fact that the materials submitted by FNMACI in support of its application is riddled with inaccuracies and contradictory statements. For example, FNMACI claims that the public would participate in track operations by buying and owning a greyhound to race, yet later claims all dogs will be "owned by the corporation." FNMACI also claims that the Greyhound racing industry has been "successful" in Guam and Hong Kong, yet Hong Kong never had a greyhound track in its history, and Guam's only Greyhound track recently closed, resulting in the displacement of 400 dogs.

More importantly, greyhound racing causes the suffering and deaths of countless dogs around the world, and this cruel industry has no place in the Philippines. Dogs used in racing know nothing but misery, their worlds reduced to a tiny kennel and a lifetime of servitude. The welfare record for greyhound racing internationally is dismal and bringing in a dog track would undoubtedly tarnish the image of the Philippines. Indeed, all over the world, an increasingly informed public no longer wants to support an industry that treats greyhounds like garbage. In recent years, 27 greyhound tracks have closed in the United States due to declining attendance, and the so-called sport is illegal in 34 states. Barbados, Haiti, and Indonesia have all shuttered their once active tracks, and the former racing dogs in Guam were given to anyone who would take them after the local track closed due to dwindling profits.

I have attached our position paper detailing PETA's objections to the proposal. We have also sent copies of our position paper to members of the Philippine Senate in an effort to get them to vote against greyhound racing. So far, seven senators have pledged to oppose the bill. We would love to hear your ideas on how we could get the local media more involved with this very important issue.

We feel we need to let everyone know that the greyhound racing industry - like many of the dogs used in this cruel "sport" - is dying. Filipinos must immediately make their objections to this proposal known loud and clear. Thanks again for your compassionate stance, Mr. Avila, and for helping to inform the public about this form of animal cruelty. I would be happy to hear from you anytime. More power! Rochelle Regodon, Campaigns Manager, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia (PETA) [email protected]."

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Email: [email protected]