Argentina Bans Dog Racing

The year 2016 ends with a positive balance for animals in Argentina. The transformation of the zoo in the city of Buenos Aires into an eco park, and the possibility for pets to travel on the subway, is now added to the ban on dog racing throughout the country.

A law that awakens adhesions and rejections

The Chamber of Deputies turned into law the initiative that punishes with penalties of up to four years in prison and fines of up to 80,000 pesos who carry out, promote or organize dog races of any breed.

The debate on the law was followed at the door of the Argentine nation’s Congress by groups in favor and against the proposal.

Throughout the day, protectionist organizations and sectors that defend greyhound racing demonstrated in front of the Argentine legislative palace. There were even clashes between members of different sectors.

Finally, the law was approved with 132 votes in favour, 17 against and 32 abstentions.

Ban on dog racing, a step closer to animal rights

What is certain is that 2016 will be remembered in Argentina as the year in which the majority of people were affected in their quality of life because of the economic measures of the government headed by Mauricio Macri. And also like the year that animals started to gain more rights.

Thus, amid high taxes, unemployment, debt and cloud inflation, one of the few reasons to cheer some Argentines was the fact that dogs will no longer be exploited in the racing business.

However, now the arduous task of enforcing the law begins. And, above all, to monitor more than ever so that this type of activity does not take place clandestinely.

A profitable activity for men and one that hurts dogs

Among the arguments that deputies used to pass the law, it was highlighted that dog racing is an illegal gambling business in which profit is the priority.

In this lucrative activity, prizes such as:

• Two-bedroom apartments on the Atlantic coast
• Automobiles
• motorcycles
• 150 thousand pesos

However, for animal advocates, the problem is the mistreatment suffered by dogs, mostly greyhounds.

The sad life of dogs used in racing

Activists have been denouncing for years the hardships faced by dogs used in races:

• During the supply of different drugs to improve performance, substances such as ephedrine, arsenic, strychnine and, in some cases, cocaine are used.
• They make the forced crossing so that the females, instead of giving two usual offspring per year, have up to three.
• Use of anabolic steroids that develop greater muscles and makes dogs have more energy to run.

All these practices damage the heart and kidneys of hairy ones. Therefore, the average “useful” life of the animals used in this activity does not exceed 5 years.

A situation that must urgently change

When dogs no longer yield enough in races, they are often sold to be used in hunting. And so begins another ordeal for the furry ones. Or, in many cases, they are sacrificed or abandoned. The same goes for puppies that are supposed to be unfit for running.

It is to be expected then that, from the sanction of this law, the terrible situation of the dogs exploited in this activity will start to change sooner or later.

Meanwhile, animal advocates continue their task of rescuing and promoting the adoption of these dogs.