http://www.gra-america.org hat geschrieben:
"They're fed 4D Meat" or "Greyhounds are fed rotten meat"
Anti-Racing groups frequently point to the fact that racing greyhounds are fed meat from, “dead, diseased, dying or disabled” cattle as evidence of abuse because it causes so-called “Alabama Rot” that kills many greyhounds. The truth is that when meat is purchased from a reliable packing facility and handled correctly, the possibility of occurrence of E. Coli infection is extremely small and incidences of Alabama Rot are rare.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has strict rules that regulate the source of meat approved for human consumption. Animals that do not meet those restrictions are designated 4D whether or not any of the above adjectives describe the reason for being considered unfit for humans. 4D meat is the primary ingredient in most pet foods, even premium brands. Pet food is cooked which kills the E. Coli bacteria, but also alters its nutritional composition. All attempts to replicate the diets of racing dogs with cooked food have resulted in failure. Racing greyhounds simply do not perform as well on a commercial diet as on one partially composed of raw meat. Many pet owners of a variety of breeds have converted to a B.A.R.F. (Bones and Raw Food) diet similar to typical racing greyhound fare.
When handled in a safe manner, from the packing plant to the feed bowl, raw meat has proven safe and effective. Qual-Pet, the largest supplier of meat to greyhound farms and kennels, has more than 40 years’ experience in the preparation and distribution of meat. The meat is frozen immediately upon grinding and delivered frozen to its outlets. The meat is stored in freezers by farmers and trainers until it is needed and then thawed before it is mixed with other forms of feed and supplements. The E. Coli bacteria is not uncommon nor necessarily dangerous in small amounts. Indeed, the strain of E. Coli that causes Alabama Rot is found naturally in a variety of foods ranging from apples to alfalfa sprouts. Only when mishandled and allowed to multiply in meat that has not been refrigerated for a long period of time does it begin to pose a danger.
In a similar example of fear mongering, one group even attempted to mislead the public by proclaiming that greyhounds were in danger of exposure to Mad Cow Disease via 4D meat. The truth, of course, is different. All cattle raised in America, regardless of whether their meat is destined for human or pet consumption, are tracked by the USDA and after they are slaughtered samples are collected and tested for Mad Cow. Greyhounds in the U.S. have no more chance of contracting Mad Cow Disease than do humans.
Greyhounds Are Given Performance Enhancing Drugs Greyhound racing is strictly regulated by the states where it exists. There is a state-approved vet and a state judge on premises, in addition to the track judge and other officials. Prior to weigh in, the greyhounds must pass before the judges and the vet on hand, all of whom have the option to examine and/or scratch any dog whom they feel is unfit to race for any reason.
After the race, urine samples are collected from the winner and/or the second place and last place finishers, with an additional random sample taken, depending upon the custom in the locality. Their urine is tested in independent, contracted laboratories, by means of ultra sensitive gas-chromatography. If any illegal substances are found to be present in the urine of the greyhound, the trainer is suspended and fined, and the kennel can be suspended, depending upon the decision of the judges at the hearing, which the offending parties must attend. A second offense can lead to the trainer's permanent suspension, and/or the revocation of the kennel's right to compete.
Incidentally, there has never been a successfully prosecuted criminal case involving a licensed greyhound professional and the use of illegal, performance enhancing or performance inhibiting drugs, in the entire history of greyhound racing in the USA.
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