Editorial | Canidoomed
Paulo Coutinho
We live in a world of causes, as opposed to a world of ideologies.
From the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution throughout the 20th century, ideologies have marked, and marred, the better part of our lives. But the world as we knew it changed dramatically after the turn of the millennium, in large part due to extraordinary advances in technology and in the way we communicate.
Distances became smaller, interests became closer, exchange of information and access to information, became more and more democratic. And the world became “flat.”
Today, a citizen or a concern group can call the attention of thousands worldwide with meager means and put the good or the bad word out about an issue, an interest, or a cause.
The cause against the cruelty on greyhounds at the Macau Canidrome, launched by Anima through an online petition, prompted protests of thousands throughout Europe, which in turn resulted in the boycotting of dog transportation by major airlines, like Qantas, British Airways and Qatar.
News last week in Macau Daily Times on the possible closure of the Canidrome by the government drew tens of thousands to our website. The comments go from praising the government’s leaning toward closing the races to intense calls to have a halt put to the operations at the Macanese racetrack.
This inflammatory chain-reaction comes as no surprise at a time when animal rights protection is on the top of most societies’ political agendas, even in conservative Macau or in more or less democratic regimes – because causes, unlike ideologies, traverse society.
But the government should not look at the issue and decide on shutting down the Canidrome because of the “international pressure” or because of “the damages to Macau’s international reputation.” The government should decide in good conscience: because it is the right thing to do, and the sensible thing to do.
So far, the authorities seem to be taking a pragmatic approach to the problem. Increased “difficulties to import greyhounds,” which already led to reducing the number of races each race night, will be a “crucial aspect” in the decision-making process. In the end, the closure of the Canidrome will happen because the operation itself failed.
The animal cruelty, the claimed slaughter of 400 dogs per year combined with the ruinous business operation, which has survived for years on public funds, are reasons enough for the cause.
PS: Today Macau Daily Times enters its 9th year of publication. We take the opportunity to thank our readers, advertisers, partners and friends for your constant support. Without you, this endeavor would not have been possible.
30 comments
Leave a reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c8s4W7Jvr5o&feature=share
Documented evidence [of animal] cruelty.
Thank you for your contribution.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1114776025247133&id=1055800227811380
More documented proof […] Admittedly it’s not graphic in its content but it clearly shows the appalling conditions.
http://animamacau.org/events/anima-greyhounds-international-adoption-campaign/
And here’s a link how your readers and people across the world can help.
Please close this cruel race trex. Only uneducated people think it is OK to be so cruel.
To live an imprisoned life and to be killed when your performance fails through being drugged and over worked beyond any reasonable limit isn’t alleged cruelty, it is obscene cruelty. If the canidrome was operating in the UK it would have been condemned in the 1960’s. It has no place in modern society, and definitely not in a country which wishes to be viewed as modern and successful.
Quote of the week:
“The government should decide in good conscience [to close the Canidrome]: because it is the right thing to do, and the sensible thing to do”
Thank you Paulo Coutinho and all your team at the Macau Daily Times for your excellent media coverage on the Canidrome and allowing advocates to voice their concerns and speak for the greyhounds.
Greyhound racing kills greyhounds. It’s a by-product of a corrupt and dirty industry. If the Macau government is happy to condone cruelty, fine. But the world is watching. As the article says, it’s a very small world now, with many, many windows: there is nowhere to hide.
Please help to put pressure on to close this dreadful place because its cruelty surely is out of step in a modern world and people from all parts of the globe are looking at this place with horror. Greyhounds need protection from this, this kind of suffering cannot be justified in the name of ‘entertainment’
….I would not wish to visit/holiday in a place [ Canidrome] a city [Macau] a country [Chine] that turned its face from what is happening inside this racing establishment…….many people are against Greyhound racing BUT if it is to take place then it needs to be done correctly with proper kennels/food/human contact/ and vet facilities and when the dogs no longer race they MUST BE ADOPTED the same as in all other countries in our world if these measures cannot be done then the Canidrome MUST CLOSE ……I ask if can use what influence you have to help oversee this matter and show the rest of the our WORLD that your town /country does have the best intentions……when the Greyhounds no longer race PLEASE get in touch with some of the many GREYHOUND RESCUES to help with taking them for adoption with a loving family……I do thank you for your kind attention and your help with this heart breaking situation….yours sincerely Susan Sprigg
Really is time to close this hell hole down – the world is watching.
The best thing for Macau and the greyhounds is to close down the hellhole known as the Macau canidrome. The blatant cruelty taking place there is obscene the poor greyhounds suffer more than anywhere else. Close the canidrome down and let people adopt the ex-racers so that they can live the life they deserve for their service as betting units they do not deserve to die prematurely they deserve to live the good life they deserve a second chance. Consider the greyhounds this time.
Thank you for keeping this issue in the media. I’m sure that Macau is a fascinating place to visit and there must be many interesting sights to see aside from the cruel goings on of the canidrome. Greyhounds are such gentle, affectionate and funny dogs they deserve so much better than the treatment they receive in the racing industry. Closing the canidrome is probably the best thing to do but it’s vital that there are re-homing procedures in place for the dogs already there so they aren’t killed when surplus to requirement if racing ends. Greyhounds (especially ex racers) make wonderful pets and I really hope these dogs have the chance at some happiness after what they’ve been through in the racing industry.
Thanks to Paulo Coutinho and everyone concerned in highlighting the plight of these poor hounds.
It is essential now that the Chinese authorities listen to the peoples of the world. The Canidrome is a wretched open sore on the skin of Macau’s tourism industry – and will soon become a crusty, old scab once the exportation routes are closed down completely. However, to take a pragmatic approach due to the ‘increased problem to import greyhounds’ is to completely miss the salient point. As this writer says, [Macau] China needs to develop a conscience, not just spew out pragmatism. The Canidrome is literally the last of the hellish roads to a certain death. The breeders of these beautiful animals who see them as nothing more than money-making machines have no conscience. You need to develop one. China needs to understand that animal welfare is paramount. If there is no demand to race these majestic animals, there will be no supply to line the pockets of their avaricious owners. For a caring, understanding and sensitive nation to evolve, one needs to have empathy for every living thing. With so much violence and hatred in the world at this moment in time, developing a conscience in relation to these beautiful, abused animals is a step towards mending this broken society of human beings. China, I, and every other human being who has a conscience, urge you to take an ethical stand on this, do the right thing by your newly-developed conscience, and close this death trap down for good. Ensure the remaining greyhounds are rehomed safely and regain your self- respect on the global platform. We nations do not have to agree on everything, but animal welfare knows no boundaries.
It needs to close and close now. Gambling is not cultural. Greyhound racing is cruel and stadiums are closing down all over the world. Please be an example and close it down. It is for people with no ethics. We in England will take the dogs. Please.
The primary need is to look after the animals welfare and these are the urgent issues to address. 1. Rehoming strategies are needed and intake of dogs limited to capacity to rehome. 2. Transportation of dogs to Macau should be frozen until welfare issues are addressed and acceptable to the sending controlling body and local welfare people. 3. veterinery services are needed to be in attendance to check dogs before and after the race..
Surely we cannot call ourselves civilised if we allow this fearful place to continue with its dreadful trade. I appeal to all animal lovers everywhere to make their voices heard and bring pressure to bear to save these gentle creatures.
The business of greyhound racing is a failed one and this is proven all over the world. It is not sport to condone animal abuse and mistreatment of greyhounds. No part of entertainment is worth the life of even one dog. Please close down any greyhound racing!
Thank you for this important editorial. I agree with Trudy Baker… the quote of the week has to be Paulo Coutinho’s conclusion that “The government should decide in good conscience [to close the Canidrome]: because it is the right thing to do, and the sensible thing to do”. I couldn’t concur more.
Closing the Canidrome is the right thing to do – because of the inherent cruelty involved in commercial greyhound racing wherever it takes place, and in particular at the Canidrome given that the dogs don’t even get at least some chance of finding a loving home afterwards. We all hope this won’t be the case however for the dogs once the Canidrome does close for whatever reason. We hope the owners will show they have at least some compassion by allowing the dogs to be rescued by legitimate groups who will find homes for them.
Closing the Canidrome is the sensible thing to do – for direct financial reasons, yes, but also indirectly because the eyes of the world’s animal welfare advocates, ranging from the ordinary person in the street to world-famous respected celebrities, really are focused on Macau right now.
Close the Canidrome because you have to? Then the world will be relieved.
Close the Canidrome for the right reasons, that is, for ethical and humane reasons? Then the world will respect you.
Do the latter and also demand that the lives of each greyhound be spared, and that they can be cared for by people with the skills and knowledge to tend to their welfare needs, whilst being given the necessary time to be allocated to legitimate rescues…? Then the world will love you and sing your praises for it!
Thank you for keeping this issue in the media. I’m sure that Macau is a fascinating place to visit and there must be many interesting sights to see aside from the cruel goings on of the Canidrome. Greyhounds are such gentle, affectionate and funny dogs they deserve so much better than the treatment they receive in the racing industry. Closing the Canidrome is probably the best thing to do but it’s vital that there are re-homing procedures in place for the dogs already there so they aren’t killed when surplus to requirement if racing ends. Greyhounds (especially ex racers) make wonderful pets and I really hope these dogs have the chance at some happiness after what they’ve been through in the racing industry. Gambling on live animals is surely a very sad thing for those animals who receive no care and are euthanased if they do not come up to scratch. Please ensure that the Canidrome is closed for the sake of these gentle, loving animals who only want to be loved and cared for and not raced to death whilst doing their best.
China are world leaders in advanced technology. In order to be fully respected as world leaders, it is essential for the people to abandon the barbaric practice carried out in the canidrome and also in the Yulin dog festival. This is the 21st century, and the time has come to stop ALL cruelty towards dogs in China. There are people in China who are fighting to stop these practices. Please listen to them. Pull down the canidrome and turn the are into a contemporary tourist attraction, where people will WANT to visit. There are many people in Great Britain who will take all the greyhounds and will even pay for their travelling expenses. The barbaric treatment of dogs in China is in direct conflict with the technological advancements that have been made.
Please shut down this hellhole and allow these beautiful animals to find homes where they will be loved until the natural end of their lives
These dogs need help.That hell hole must be shut down
thank you for stating this in your article, the government should shut it down because it is the right thing to do, and preventing animal cruelty is a worthy enough reason to shut it down.
Absolutely its the right thing to do. Close it down, send them home, a small percentage of hundreds, probably thousands of animals that have died within that places walls. I feel sorrow for the caring people of Macau who have this misery so close to home. SEND THEM HOME
Please shut it down and send these beautiful greyhounds home where they can live the life they deserve. Do the right thing ….
It is quite right that closing the Canidrome is the “right thing to do” for many reasons. Greyhound racing in general has had it’s day, and will one day be a thing of the past. When exports from Austraila stopped and the only other option was transporting them half way round the world from Ireland there has to be serious welfare considerations from that alone. Our world has shrunk and more and more people are concerned about the welfare of animals as well as the over breeding of dogs, many of who will die whether they race in Macau or in any western country. As with many of the people who has been part of this protest from the first time that Irish Greyhounds were exported to Macau, I share my home with an Irish Greyhound. A wonderful boy who, like many before him, has been badly let down by humans, and yet who still loves them. For him it was a happy ending even if it did take him 10 years to get it. How many dogs that go to Macau will get their happy ending? This cruel trade has put Macau, Ireland and the racing industry in a very bad light and the sooner it ends the better.
Thank you all for your valuable comments and contribution for a just cause!
Do the right thing!
https://youtu.be/yR30iXOp1hc