Kansas Law Says Greyhounds Aren't Dogs - Not Protected

[matcom]

<snip>

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- When is a dog not a dog?

When it's a greyhound in Kansas.

It may sound like a punchline to a joke, but it's true. Two years after the Parimutuel Racing Act was passed in Kansas, the law protecting pets in the state was changed to exclude greyhounds from the designation of dog.

"A greyhound ought to be a dog in the state of Kansas," said Kevin Neuman, of Overland Park.

Neuman and his wife, Sherri, have fostered and adopted greyhounds for 11 years. They are also active in a greyhound placement organization for retired racers.

"We fell in love with the breed. They're definitely a dog . They're a great dog," Neuman said.

Monday, he went to Topeka to try to change the law.

--more--

http://www.wftv.com/family/4285632/detail.html

[Arkana]

1. WTF?

What's next? Persians aren't cats?

[MissMillie]

2. Oh yeah... and evolution isn't science

What's up with Kansas?????

[11 Bravo]

3. Why am I not surprised?

It won't be long until Kansas law also proclaims that the theory of evolution has now been disproven and that the Earth was created in 6 days around 10,000 years ago. And, oh yeah, the Kansas AG will be able look at the private medical records of every Kansas woman who has ever had an abortion. Fuck Kansas.

[flvegan]

4. No surprise, considering the abuses inherent in the dog racing industry.

They have no desire to have any laws to protect the welfare of these dogs, and they'd rather not be subject to any additional inspections by the local animal control (or whichever entity is responsible for it). Also keeps them from needing vets standing by at all times, just in case. Just another bloodsport where the animal pays with his/her life in the end.

[BlueJazz]

5. That's strange...cause this page from the AKC says they're Dogs.

I guess those smart Kansas polititions know better...

http://www.thebreedsofdogs.com/GREYHOUND.htm

[Ready4Change]

6. What is the effect of the legislation?

The article doesn't go into it, other than if greyhounds aren't legally pet dogs then they be under increased pressure to be bred for winning characteristics as the dog racing industry wanes.

I'm aware of many aspects of the dog racing environment, and if my house weren't full with pets I'd likely have contacted a local greyhound rescue group to adopt, as I love greyhounds and their temperment. (How dogs which are treated so badly can be so sweet I'll never know.) And I certainly agree that greyhounds are dogs. Period.

But what, specifically would be the effect of the law change? And is there any reason to believe it would be better enforced than existing laws?

[MissB]

7. Freaks. (nt)

[Done]

8. Greyhounds aren't dogs, they're buses.

I thought everybody knew that.

[Squeech]

9. Exactly

And racing them would be a much more exciting sport anyway.

Especially watching them try to corner. Woo-hoo!

[ucmike]

10. in nj tomatoes are vegetables, even though they're fruit.

nj legislature proclaimed tomatoes the state veg, although technically tomatoes are a large berry (fruit). the language in the proclamation acknowledges the inaccuracy but pushes forward anyway.

maybe they can race tomatoes in kansas and leave the greyhounds alone.