CHARGES DISMISSED AGAINST CO-CONSPIRATORS IN NOTORIOUS GREYHOUND KILLING CASE

Jan 25, 2005 - Greyhound Protection League Blasts Alabama's Poor Greyhound Welfare Record

Bay Minette, Alabama - Baldwin County District Attorney, David Whetstone has been forced to request a dismissal of animal cruelty charges against three of the defendants in the greyhound-killing case that garnered national attention in 2002. The State's case against the alleged perpetrators has suffered numerous setbacks over the past two and a half years in spite of Whetstone's aggressive pursuit of justice.

The first blow was the death of triggerman, Robert Rhodes who died a year after he admitted to a lifetime occupation as a killer of thousands of unprofitable racing greyhounds. Rhodes had identified four Florida greyhound trainers as co-conspirators. A judge ruled earlier this month that Rhodes' death rendered his testimony against the others inadmissible. Co-defendant, Clarence Patterson, now refuses to substantiate statements he previously made against the other three. Consequently, charges have been dropped against defendants: Ursula O'Donnell, Paul Discolo Jr. and John Wilson Smith. It is doubtful that Whetstone will exercise his option to prosecute Patterson based on earlier self-incriminating statements he made to authorities.

"Although nearly 20,000 greyhounds disappear every year, the Rhodes case was the most visible, large scale greyhound-killing case to go public in years," said Greyhound Protection League President, Susan Netboy. "The case has been closely followed by everyone in the industry and, in the end, the only message that's been sent is that racing greyhounds can be killed with impunity. Sadly, the only justice for these poor dogs is that Rhodes didn't take his terrible secret to his grave."

The Greyhound Protection League considers the Alabama legislatures' recent passage of a bill that exempts illegal greyhound killing from the felony animal abuse statute as a reflection of the State's utter disregard for the welfare of its racing greyhounds. Netboy points out that Alabama is home to three dog tracks none of which makes a credible effort to find homes for the thousands of racing greyhounds that flow through its dog tracks annually.

Citing the recent airing of a national television expose that focused on the mass euthanasia of greyhounds near the Mobile track and the Rhodes case, Netboy says: "Alabama has taken center stage as one of the nation's worst offenders in its lack of concern for the lives of racing greyhounds."

The Greyhound Protection League is a California based, national, greyhound welfare organization.

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