Earlier this year, I helped rescue a dog named Emma who had been at Greyhound Friends. During the nearly 60 days Emma was there, she was left untreated for advanced heartworm disease and other ailments. Recent reports from Animal Rescue League, Mass Dept of Agricultural Resoures, and other agencies show this was far from an isolated incident.
It has been well documented that some dogs at Greyhound Friends were denied proper veterinary care for serious medical issues, and that dogs were left in unsanitary and dangerous conditions.
That’s why I was dismayed to see Greyhound Friends sent out a plea for donations two weeks ago, urging people to support them in trying to reopen. This is a charity that took in more than $3.5 million dollars between 2011-2015, so where did the money go? And why should we as a community trust them to care for dogs again?
Greyhound Friends claims they should be allowed to reopen because they—after many warnings—finally cleaned the kennel. But if the leadership there does not prioritize the health and welfare of the dogs, that is a serious disconnect that cannot be fixed simply by sprucing up the kennel with new paint and new promises.
I can't bear to think of a dog suffering again unnecessarily like Emma did. Please join me in writing to the Board of Selectmen at selectmen@hopkintonma.gov and urging them not to reinstate the Greyhound Friends kennel license.
Steve Bassignani
15 Lee street
Franklin MA