Thursday, January 31, 2013

Iowa Greyhound Trainer Fined, Suspended After Dog is Neglected and Dies

According to a state document, Iowa greyhound trainer Diann Yochum was recently fined and suspended after a dog in her care was neglected and eventually died.  The incident started when greyhounds were being transferred from one kennel to another:
"On November 21, 2012, while transferring greyhounds to a different kennel it was reported to the Board of Stewards that DS Cyclone, a greyhound under your care, was in poor health."
A state ruling for the case indicates that the dog had initially been seen by a veterinarian on November 1 for "weight loss and swollen hind legs." After an examination DS Cyclone was placed on an IV and given medication, which was to be administered over the next four days. The greyhound was then not seen again by a veterinarian until fifteen days later, on November 16. According to the ruling:
"DS Cyclone was observed in the crate by a licensed veterinarian, and still showed signs of weight loss and muscle mass loss and a poor prognosis was given for DS Cyclone returning to racing."
A state veterinarian then "discussed the option of euthanasia" with Yochum and kennel owner James Lovely but they "decided to wait and see if the greyhound would improve."  According to the official state ruling, their delay "resulted in the further deterioration over a three-week period of DS Cyclone" and state regulators were informed on November 27 that the dog had died.

In taking action against Yochum, regulators found that she had neglected DS Cyclone:

Over the past few years, Iowa greyhound breeders have fought hard to protect a multi-million dollar subsidy they receive from slot machine profits. Sadly, this neglect case proves that dog race subsidies do not guarantee adequate care. In 2009 alone kennel owner James Lovely received $229,681.95 in purse payments, and the least he could do is ensure that dogs in his kennel receive prompt veterinary care.

Greyhound racing is no longer viable in Iowa, and only continues because it is being artificially propped up. For the dogs, it's time to end greyhound racing in the Hawkeye state.


  1. How can you look into those soulful eyes and neglect that poor dog. I pray that trainer and owner suffer a death ten times worse !!!

  2. They are ALL being neglected by being racing dogs!!!!!!!!

  3. I am in full support to rid Greyhound racing everywhere... period. We only hear or made aware of "a fraction" of the reality of neglect, abuse and unreported violations! ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

  4. Greyhound racing is nothing more than blood money. To take advantage of these beautiful, gentle creatures and not give them medical treatment is just plain inhumane. I don't know how these trainers can sleep at night.

  5. I think we should put the owners on the track, in a cage, and not provide them with medication and/or medical attention for one month and see how it feels...

  6. hope the trainer suffers . he should be in prison on animal cruelty charges. these dogs are abused. they are loving and beautiful dogs. they make great family pets.

  7. I think that if there is a way to stop breeding these dogs, but that is wishfull thinking, anyway I feel that if enough people volunteer to take care of them, it will help.

  8. as long as the punishments are laughable, this kind of thing will continue.
    it is sick, and it encourages others to harm animals. they see that people like this will get almost no time, or just pay a fine, and understand that few people care enough to do anything about it.
    she isn't even criminally charged.