Hurricane
Rita Evacuations & Updates
9-27-05
Gulf Greyhound Park is very happy to report that it
will be able to open its simulcasting floor at 11 AM on Wednesday,
September 28. On Thursday, September 29, it will begin its regular
live racing schedule with a post time of 7:30 PM. At this time, management
is still obtaining an active count of greyhounds in the compound.
They may have to cut some performances to 11 races instead of their
usual 12 or 13. As soon as this is determined, they will let us know.
9-25-05
All the many people and greyhounds housed at Gulf
Greyhound Park are getting back to normal after Hurricane Rita passed.
While there was a lot of rain, no damage was reported and electricity
was maintained. The racing surface is being worked to get into shape
for morning schooling. We anticipate the quick return of regular racing.
9-23-05
Under the threat of Hurricane Rita, the Texas greyhound industry
has been working together to ensure the safety of our greyhounds.
Under current state law, our three Texas Greyhound tracks must be
located only in counties adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico, which puts
all of our tracks at risk for hurricanes.
The greyhounds located at Gulf Greyhound Park are safest remaining
where they are.
Click the link to view information on the Storm
and Flood Emergency Plans of the racetracks which we published
last year.
Gulf Greyhound Park
GGP is located in LaMarque, 15 miles inland from Galveston. The kennel
buildings were built to withstand a Category 4 hurricane, and are
elevated 19-21 feet. Some of the kennels evacuated their greyhounds
to farms further inland in the past few days, which has opened up
space for the many farms in the area.
Sally Briggs, general manager, estimates they now have several
thousand greyhounds on the compound, including broods and puppies.
The backup generator is fully tested and operational; water tanks
are filled to capacity and dog food is in good supply. Several electric
company repair trucks are now occupying the parking lot. Many kennel
owners and trainers are staying in the compound to care for all of
the dogs. GGP is providing them with regular meals, places to sleep,
and use of all veterinary supplies. In the event of severe flooding,
the greyhounds can be moved to the upper levels of the grandstand.
Sally has been outstanding in organizing and implementing their safety
plan.
Corpus Christi
Located on relatively high ground, CCGRT is prepared for hurricane
winds and water. The backup generator is operational, all water tanks
filled, and dog food is in good supply. If needed in case of flooding,
the greyhounds can be moved into the grandstand.
Valley Race Park
VRP appears to be out of harm's way, and is standing by with 18 empty
kennel houses in Harlingen if needed for evacuation.
Texas Greyhound Association
Many TGA members in the Waco area are standing by with trucks and
trailers to pick up any greyhounds at risk. The temperature is extremely
high, about 101 degrees. The TGA is coordinating with the racetracks
and its membership to house or transport greyhounds as needed, although
we feel the greyhounds are safest staying at the GGP kennels.
James Parker made the round-trip yesterday to pick up greyhounds
from farms in LaMarque, which took him 17 hours for an ordinary 5
hour trip. Dale Loner acted as James' point man in navigating
the Houston metroplex to shorten his drive time.
John Dalton and Doyle Shepherd also made an emergency
run to evacuate greyhounds from Galveston area farms and relocated
them to a safer area.
Paul Watt made an extraordinary trip to pick up over 37 greyhounds
from farms, and is also housing them until the crisis is over.
One kennel at GGP had decided to evacuate their kennel, but turned
back many hours later when it became apparent that the heat and the
traffic delays were creating a dangerous situation for the greyhounds.
Although incoming traffic is now barred, the Department of Public
Safety allowed him to return to GGP, where the greyhounds were successfully
treated with IV fluids provided by the track.
Several TGA members inland of Galveston are housing greyhounds evacuated
earlier this week from farms; Lynn Alexander and Russel
McElhinny in the Galveston area have been invaluable in helping
the TGA coordinate the effort. Lynn, along with John McQuade
of Greyhound Adoption League of Texas, (GALT), was even able to arrange
for the evacuation of 26 cats and 32 shelter dogs from Galveston Island
when the HSUS was unable to help them.
The TGA is proud of its many members and the racetracks for stepping
up to the challenge of Hurricane Rita and protecting our most precious
greyhounds.
James Parker, Danny Williams, David Hays and Paul
Watt, of the TGA, are temporarily housing the evacuated greyhounds
on their farms.
We know we have missed mentioning some of the many TGA members who
helped prevent a tragedy, and as we hear of them we will add to this
list.
A special Thank You to everyone for all of your
hard work and efforts!
Diane Whiteley
Executive Director
