TUCSON GREYHOUND PARK RACING OFFICIALS AND TOP BRASS CITED IN COMPLAINT

Sept 21, 2007 -

Greyhound Network News Files Complaint with Department of Racing for Unwarranted Euthanasia of Injured Greyhound

Tucson – Joan Eidinger, editor and publisher of Greyhound Network News, filed a complaint Thursday with the Arizona Department of Racing in the controversial death of Mismakamess (Missy). The complaint alleges that Tucson Greyhound Park (TGP) management and state racing officials were in violation of racing rules and regulations when they summarily euthanized Missy, who had sustained a minor injury on August 31. Alleged violations include R-19-329 (B) which states: “Every effort must be made to adopt the greyhounds not used for racing or breeding purposes.”

As was attested to in a related TGP Stewards Hearing on September 4, kennel owner David Blair attempted to prevent Missy’s death by contacting a rescue group for immediate intervention. Named in the complaint are: state Chief TGP Steward Eddie Rosano, state Chief Greyhound Veterinarian Andrew Carlton, track veterinarian Betty Menke, Tom Taylor, TGP’s CEO and general manager and president of the Tucson chapter of Greyhound Pets of America, trainer Kevin Mathieu and kennel owner Patricia Mathieu.

“It’s time that those in charge of what goes on at TGP are held accountable for the wanton disregard of the lives of greyhounds,” said Eidinger, who is also a member of the Arizona Greyhound Task Force Welfare Committee.

Other recent developments at TGP involve the summary license revocation of trainer Kevin Mathieu. Early reports indicate that Mathieu’s license was revoked on Wednesday. Details related to the revocation are not clear; however, Eidinger and Netboy have uncovered information that his past racing record in Arizona, as well as in other racing states, is tarnished by animal abuse and neglect charges.

Additionally, a hearing was scheduled on September 19 for kennel operator, Patricia Mathieu for failure to provide health certificates for some 60 greyhounds that she had hauled into Arizona several months back – a violation that put every greyhound in the TGP kennel compound at risk.

“The scandals at Tucson Greyhound Park just keep mounting,” said Greyhound Protection League President, Susan Netboy. “Now, we have to worry about what will happen to the dogs that were brought in by yet another deadbeat kennel at a track that doesn’t even have an authentic adoption program.” The League vows to keep an eye on this volatile, precarious situation.

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