Neglect and intentional harm constitute the two types of animal cruelty, as categorized by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) ("Animal Cruelty: FAQ", 2002). Both types of animal cruelty are present in the "sport" of horse racing. Drug abuse, lameness, insufficient veterinary care and long road trips are all indications of animal cruelty, requiring better laws and enforcement in the racing industry. "The American Association of Equine Practitioners says 60 to 90 percent of racehorses are significantly lame" ("Horse Racing: A Losing Bet", 2002). Many of these lame horses are forced to race on fractured legs by being treated with drugs to reduce the pain. Drugs are used to suppress the symptoms without treating the un

The treatment of greyhounds in greyhound racing is considerably worse than horse racing. Greyhound dogs are less expensive to buy and maintain and are more expendable. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an estimated 28,000 greyhounds are killed each year as they become unprofitable ("Greyhound Racing: Death in the Fast Lane", 2002). Some dogs are simply shot; others are bludgeoned to death, while even others are simply left in crates to starve. One instance reported by USA Today in May 2002 states that over 2,000 greyhounds were found on Robert Rhodes' Alabama property. Rhodes (68) claims he was paid ten dollars for every dog he shot and killed. A "veterinarian autopsied four of the dogs and determined only one had been shot cleanly through the brain" (USA Today, 2002). The remaining three dogs autopsied were wounded and shot many times before dying. Susan Netboy, president of Greyhound Protection League states, "The evidence that was brought to light by the district attorney destroys the ongoing propaganda from the racing industry that greyhounds are treated humanely and are not killed" (USA Today, 2002). While working in the racing circuit, greyhounds suffer from malnutrition, dehydration, crate and muzzle sores, internal parasites and occasional electrocution. The average track kennel facility may contain 20 or more kennels, which amounts to over 1,000 dogs, with only 14 kennel operators to care for the racers. Greyhound racers are stacked in small crates for 18 to 22 hours a day with only brief visits to an outside pen to drink and urinate. Greyhounds are kept muzzled in the pens because of the dogfights that often occur. Veterinarians are rarely in attendance at the kennel compound. Most veterinarians are present only on race days to administer drugs. One greyhound industry spokesperson states, "Greyhounds are canine athletes that are treated better by the industry than most people treat their children: The dogs wouldn't run if they were poorly treated" ("Greyhound Protection League: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions", 2002). Greyhound racing is, first and foremost, a business. Profits must be made for the industry to continue. Veterinarian care, food, and space are costly and limited. Racing dogs are fed 4-D meat. This meat is from diseased and dying animals that are considered unfit for human consumption. This food has been known to make dogs ill and is used because it is very inexpensive ("Greyhound Protection League: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions", 2002). The Greyhound Protection League web site notes the "monetary incentive to cover-up or ignore abuses and to keep secret the massive number of dogs killed annually" is great ("Why Ban Greyhound Racing?", 2002). Greyhounds do not have the choice to race, as this greyhound industry spokesperson implies. These dogs are raised to race and most do not live until their fifth

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1961
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)