[color:"orange"]To prevent the near-total slaughter of every single racing dog, including all the puppies at the breeding places, I am certainly prepared to accept an annual cull, provided it is carried out humanely.[/color]

An annual cull (not carried out humanely, BTW) of most of the dogs kills many more dogs than a one time slaughter.

You seem to think that there will be the political will to ban the races, and yet absolutely no effort made to protect any dogs when a ban is announced or arrests begin.


[color:"orange"]If you close down dog racing because of the cruelty of the humans who run the races, all they do is go underground.[/color]

Underground races are not going to be televised, are not going to have large stadiums with plenty of seats and concession stands, and are not going to attract anywhere near the amount of bets as currently.


[color:"orange"]Moreover, it is a popular sport and one that it would actually be far easier to clean up than to actively ban.[/color]

That was my point. The purpose of the petition is to stop cruelty to greyhounds. It doesn't matter if you think the races in and of themselves should be stopped or not, the petition is trying to stop them as they are run now. If they are forced to clean up their act by enough public pressure (and/or criminal prosecution) then that is the end of the issue.


[color:"orange"]Properly regulated and with appropriate penalties for animal cruelty, there is no reason whatsoever to ban the actual races.[/color]

Nobody is trying to ban a properly regulated race with appropriate penalties for animal cruelty. Anyone who still pushes for a ban after the greyhound race industry gives its practices a serious overhaul would be clearly unreasonable, and loose most public support.