Cover Stories Fall 2000

Trainer Buries Three Dogs in Kennel Compound at Palm Beach Racetrack Tattooed Ears Cut Off to Avoid Detection

West Palm Beach, Florida: Greyhound trainer Mitch Haber, who admitted to cutting off the tattooed ears of three greyhounds and burying them after they accidentally died of dehydration, had his contract terminated by the Palm Beach Kennel Club.
On Aug. 5, a miscommunication be- tween Haber and his assistant left five greyhounds outside in 90-degree heat. When Haber and the unidentified assistant returned three hours later, three dogs were dead. A fourth greyhound died later and was taken to a veterinarian. The fifth dog recovered, but as of mid-September, was still not racing.
The dead greyhounds were identified as Mask of Courage, Positive Thought, Haberfield and Tiebreak Winner. The surviving dog is Mark Young.
Instead of notifying track officials and having the dead dogs disposed of properly, Haber said he panicked, cut the ears off the dogs to avoid detection, and buried them at the compound. Haber said he was trying to save the greyhound industry from embarrassment.
Haber's actions went undetected until early Septemberwhen the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office received an anonymous tip. When approached by police, Haber admitted what he had done and took the deputies to where he had buried the dogs.
WPEC-Channel 12, theWest Palm Beach CBS affiliate, broke the story on its evening news Sept. 6. "What I didn't want is what's happening now—a media blitz with a bunch of negative stories about dog racing," Haber told the Palm Beach Post the next day. "I know I was wrong, but I was honestly trying to do what was best for the greyhound industry. If I had to do it over, I obviously would have handled it differently."
John Hartsfield, owner of three of the four dead dogs, told the Post he feels sorry for Haber despite his dogs' ears being cut off. "We all make mistakes, but this guy is reminded of this every day," Hartsfield said. "I'm not mad at him. I'll send him some more of my dogs as soon as I get some ready."
Haber's contract to race dogs at the Palm Beach track was canceled four days later. Art Laughlin, the track's general manager, said, "He made an honest mistake, but what happened after that is appalling." Haber, 38, who has worked in the greyhound industry for 20 years, was unavailable for comment. "He took it hard," Laughlin said.
Because of Haber's departure the track reduced its number of races per performance from 14 to 12. Laughlin said he hoped to find another kennel to replace Haber so the track could return to its normal schedule within a week.
According to a sheriffs office spokeswoman, results of the investigation were turned over to the state attorney's office to determine if criminal charges for animal neglect will be brought against Haber. Haber also faces disciplinary action from the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, which licenses and regulates dog racing in Florida. Haber could be fined, suspended, or could lose his license.

Source: The Palm Beach Post: Craig Dolch