By Jeff Marchesseault
GUAM - It seems one of Guam Greyhound Park's abandoned racing dogs has been welcomed with open arms into the home of an ailing elderly woman and her care-giving daughter. It's a stranger-than-fiction story of the neglected being nourished and the newly nourished enlivening the sickly. An epic misadventure spanning an ocean and a continent and redounding to a glorious happy ending.
One moment a thoroughbred racer chasing a fake rabbit around a dirt track on bets she would win. The next moment "adopted". Then suddenly cut loose into the wild to fend for herself. Eventually rescued and cared for by humane activists. Then airflown to a strange new land to be domesticated and domiciled. Pearl's newfound place in a Yonkers, New York home follows the dramatic, large-scale rescue and recovery effort that saved her life and the lives of more than 100 other greyhounds after the abrupt closure of the Guam Greyhound Park and racing track in November.
Hastily "adopted" on island, about 150 of the dogs soon turned up abandoned, malnourished, skin-diseased, and with broken bones -- surfacing on the roadsides, parks and jungles of Guam.
During the roundup of surviving dogs, the animals were fed, cleaned up and cared for at the Guam Animals In Need (GAIN) shelter, then flown to the East and West Coasts of the U.S. mainland for further recovery and proper adoption into area homes.
According to The Journal News, a mostly-recovered Pearl has since charmed her way into her Veterinarian's home:
[Dr. Joan] Kobalka has been a veterinarian for nearly 20 years and, as a veterinary volunteer with the rescue group [Greyhound Rescue and Rehabilitation], her job is to foster dogs until they are healthy enough for adoption. As Pearl's health improved, Kobalka said, she decided to keep her because she became attached to the vet's bedridden mother.
Filled with energy, the black and white, 55-pound dog provides Kobalka's mother, Frances, with plenty of kisses, while keeping her company. Kobalka said it seems as if Pearl provides her mother with a purpose.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Greyhound racing backers file suit alleging voter fraud by anti-racing group
Supporters of dog racing are suing the group that led the campaign making greyhound racing illegal, accusing the Somerville-based nonprofit of election fraud.
The lawsuit, filed today in Lynn District Court, requests the court conduct an inquest, or judicial investigation, into alleged violations committed by “the proponents of Ballot Question 3.”
The Committee to Protect Dogs, the campaign arm of Grey2K USA, led the campaign that in the November election ended greyhound racing in Massachusetts by Jan. 1, 2010, but the lawsuit does not name any specific defendants.
In an e-mailed statement, Grey2K officials slammed the allegations as “baseless.”
“These latest accusations amount to nothing more than post-election sour grapes,” said Christine A. Dorchak, co-chairperson of the Committee to Protect Dogs.
“Greyhound racing interests will go to any length to undermine the will of the voters, including a reckless campaign of misinformation,” she added.
In the four-page complaint, proponents of ending racing are accused of making false statements about kennel crates and adoption rates.
The lawsuit also alleges proponents used photos and videos “depicting the cruel treatment of greyhounds in other states and countries for the purpose of misleading Massachusetts voters.”
Finally, the anti-racing group is accused to trying to influence voters by offering a free computer desktop wallpaper for Web site visitors who pledged support.
The lawsuit is signed by board members of Protection of Working Animals and Handlers Inc., a Lynn-based nonprofit that has expressed interest in challenging the election results.
Albert G. Smith of Raynham, a trainer at Raynham Park and treasurer of the nonprofit, and Michael B. Curran of Stoughton, a kennel operator at Raynham Park, are among the four complainants.
READ MORE about this issue.Jessica Scarpati can be reached at jscarpati@enterprisenews.com.
The lawsuit, filed today in Lynn District Court, requests the court conduct an inquest, or judicial investigation, into alleged violations committed by “the proponents of Ballot Question 3.”
The Committee to Protect Dogs, the campaign arm of Grey2K USA, led the campaign that in the November election ended greyhound racing in Massachusetts by Jan. 1, 2010, but the lawsuit does not name any specific defendants.
In an e-mailed statement, Grey2K officials slammed the allegations as “baseless.”
“These latest accusations amount to nothing more than post-election sour grapes,” said Christine A. Dorchak, co-chairperson of the Committee to Protect Dogs.
“Greyhound racing interests will go to any length to undermine the will of the voters, including a reckless campaign of misinformation,” she added.
In the four-page complaint, proponents of ending racing are accused of making false statements about kennel crates and adoption rates.
The lawsuit also alleges proponents used photos and videos “depicting the cruel treatment of greyhounds in other states and countries for the purpose of misleading Massachusetts voters.”
Finally, the anti-racing group is accused to trying to influence voters by offering a free computer desktop wallpaper for Web site visitors who pledged support.
The lawsuit is signed by board members of Protection of Working Animals and Handlers Inc., a Lynn-based nonprofit that has expressed interest in challenging the election results.
Albert G. Smith of Raynham, a trainer at Raynham Park and treasurer of the nonprofit, and Michael B. Curran of Stoughton, a kennel operator at Raynham Park, are among the four complainants.
READ MORE about this issue.Jessica Scarpati can be reached at jscarpati@enterprisenews.com.
Pocono Greyhound Group Still Barking 4 years 200 greyhounds later
By Wayne Witkowski
For the Pocono Record
June 24, 2009
Animal rescue groups are cropping up around the Poconos these days, but Pocono Greyhounds has a uniqueness and a presence during its four years that has assured its steady growth even though there is no brick and mortar headquarters.
"We do a lot of e-mail, I'll tell you that," said Pocono Greyhounds president Joan DiMondo with a laugh.
The nonprofit group, formed in 2005, exceeded the 200 mark of dogs with four more coming in this week. Many of the greyhounds are retired from the racetrack where they experienced harsh treatment. Families in the region keep the dogs in foster care until they are placed.
With the group of seven board members and 30 dedicated volunteers parading their pooches at various events, including the Dog Expo in Smithfield; Stroudfest earlier this month in Stroudsburg; the Tamaqua Summerfest last weekend; the Barrett Halloween Parade, in which they sport costumes; and St. Patrick's Day Parade in Stroudsburg, where they're bedecked with green berets on their heads, the animals enliven the festive atmosphere of events.
And Pocono Greyhounds' reach has broadened.
"It's really expanded," said DiMondo, who said her group the last couple of years has adopted dogs as far as Easton, Wilkes-Barre and Allentown and Carbon County.
If they're not at events, they go to elementary schools in Barrett and Tobyhanna and recently Stroudsburg Elementary. They visit PetSmart on Route 611 in Stroudsburg once a month, usually the fourth Saturday.
"You can't get dogs adopted if they're not in the public eye," said DiMondo. "That's our mission."
It's a simple but effective business plan, but not an easy one. Many greyhounds are physically or emotionally scarred, but still adoptable.
"We've taken in quite a few with broken legs," said DiMondo. "That's what we're in the business to do, to get good homes for them."
Enter Dimples. She arrived this past Saturday from Florida by way of Gold Coast Greyhounds in Orlando, which works closely with Pocono Greyhounds. Dimples had a broken leg that had gone untreated. Gold Coast could not finance the costly surgery and contacted Pocono Greyhounds. They took on the standard $2,000 bill, which includes screws and pins typical with that type of surgery on humans as well.
"She looks great," said DiMondo.
Dimples will go into foster care, which ranges from three weeks to six months, depending on how quickly they're adopted. Amazingly, only four have been returned, said DiMondo.
"The economy really has no impact on our greyhound adoptions," DiMondo said. "Other groups have dogs returned because of (owners') lost jobs and things like that, but it's not had that here. Dogs have been able to stay in their homes."
In fact, the group is ahead of last year's pace. "We're really doing well. We place 30 to 40 a year and this year, we have about 30 dogs, and applications are coming in," DiMondo said.
What helps is the affordable $225 that helps fund the organization — less than half of what it would cost to spay and neuter these dogs if they had come from other sources.
"Usually, they're very well behaved," said DiMondo. "They are crate-trained because that's how they come off the track, so we housebreak them and most do very well. It's not too hard of a sell."
And they stay healthy and can live long lives of 12 to 14 years with no specific canine disease related to them, like the hip problems experienced by German shepherds.
Another major source of revenue is the annual picnic held in late May.
DiMondo said she first was exposed to greyhounds at a meet and greet, which is what her group does.
It was love at first sight as she and husband Ralph and some close friends volunteered for another greyhound adoption group near Philadelphia, the closest one to the Poconos at the time.
"There was no presence in the Pocono Mountains and we thought we'd start our own group," DiMondo said. "We got incorporated with a 501c3 classification, so all donations are tax deductible."
She also adopted greyhounds. "I had a Welsh corgi and could not bring another dog into the house because my dog was not receptive to another, but when that dog passed away, we adopted one (greyhound) and within a year and a half, we had three," DiMondo said.
She said it "was tough in the beginning" for her organization. "We did not have the money and had to lay out our own money to incorporate ourselves and sent out fees (of $1,500) to the state and the IRS and liability insurance for the group as well. Once you get your designation, you can tax deduct anything previously given out. We have recouped it and done very well. Of course, our biggest expense for greyhounds is medical expenses."
Donations are always welcome, and there is a jar out at events attended by Pocono Greyhounds. Supporters also can pay online.
For information, visit www.poconogreyhound.com or call (570) 856-0377.
For the Pocono Record
June 24, 2009
Animal rescue groups are cropping up around the Poconos these days, but Pocono Greyhounds has a uniqueness and a presence during its four years that has assured its steady growth even though there is no brick and mortar headquarters.
"We do a lot of e-mail, I'll tell you that," said Pocono Greyhounds president Joan DiMondo with a laugh.
The nonprofit group, formed in 2005, exceeded the 200 mark of dogs with four more coming in this week. Many of the greyhounds are retired from the racetrack where they experienced harsh treatment. Families in the region keep the dogs in foster care until they are placed.
With the group of seven board members and 30 dedicated volunteers parading their pooches at various events, including the Dog Expo in Smithfield; Stroudfest earlier this month in Stroudsburg; the Tamaqua Summerfest last weekend; the Barrett Halloween Parade, in which they sport costumes; and St. Patrick's Day Parade in Stroudsburg, where they're bedecked with green berets on their heads, the animals enliven the festive atmosphere of events.
And Pocono Greyhounds' reach has broadened.
"It's really expanded," said DiMondo, who said her group the last couple of years has adopted dogs as far as Easton, Wilkes-Barre and Allentown and Carbon County.
If they're not at events, they go to elementary schools in Barrett and Tobyhanna and recently Stroudsburg Elementary. They visit PetSmart on Route 611 in Stroudsburg once a month, usually the fourth Saturday.
"You can't get dogs adopted if they're not in the public eye," said DiMondo. "That's our mission."
It's a simple but effective business plan, but not an easy one. Many greyhounds are physically or emotionally scarred, but still adoptable.
"We've taken in quite a few with broken legs," said DiMondo. "That's what we're in the business to do, to get good homes for them."
Enter Dimples. She arrived this past Saturday from Florida by way of Gold Coast Greyhounds in Orlando, which works closely with Pocono Greyhounds. Dimples had a broken leg that had gone untreated. Gold Coast could not finance the costly surgery and contacted Pocono Greyhounds. They took on the standard $2,000 bill, which includes screws and pins typical with that type of surgery on humans as well.
"She looks great," said DiMondo.
Dimples will go into foster care, which ranges from three weeks to six months, depending on how quickly they're adopted. Amazingly, only four have been returned, said DiMondo.
"The economy really has no impact on our greyhound adoptions," DiMondo said. "Other groups have dogs returned because of (owners') lost jobs and things like that, but it's not had that here. Dogs have been able to stay in their homes."
In fact, the group is ahead of last year's pace. "We're really doing well. We place 30 to 40 a year and this year, we have about 30 dogs, and applications are coming in," DiMondo said.
What helps is the affordable $225 that helps fund the organization — less than half of what it would cost to spay and neuter these dogs if they had come from other sources.
"Usually, they're very well behaved," said DiMondo. "They are crate-trained because that's how they come off the track, so we housebreak them and most do very well. It's not too hard of a sell."
And they stay healthy and can live long lives of 12 to 14 years with no specific canine disease related to them, like the hip problems experienced by German shepherds.
Another major source of revenue is the annual picnic held in late May.
DiMondo said she first was exposed to greyhounds at a meet and greet, which is what her group does.
It was love at first sight as she and husband Ralph and some close friends volunteered for another greyhound adoption group near Philadelphia, the closest one to the Poconos at the time.
"There was no presence in the Pocono Mountains and we thought we'd start our own group," DiMondo said. "We got incorporated with a 501c3 classification, so all donations are tax deductible."
She also adopted greyhounds. "I had a Welsh corgi and could not bring another dog into the house because my dog was not receptive to another, but when that dog passed away, we adopted one (greyhound) and within a year and a half, we had three," DiMondo said.
She said it "was tough in the beginning" for her organization. "We did not have the money and had to lay out our own money to incorporate ourselves and sent out fees (of $1,500) to the state and the IRS and liability insurance for the group as well. Once you get your designation, you can tax deduct anything previously given out. We have recouped it and done very well. Of course, our biggest expense for greyhounds is medical expenses."
Donations are always welcome, and there is a jar out at events attended by Pocono Greyhounds. Supporters also can pay online.
For information, visit www.poconogreyhound.com or call (570) 856-0377.
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