Cover Stories Summer 2000

Profile of a Racing Greyhound: Bold Delyse

This story is a follow-up to the Frank Haines abuse case reported in GNN, Fall 1999. Haines was operating an unlicensed breeding kennel north of Tucson, Arizona. Three stud dogs leased to him had died of unknown causes, which led to a lengthy investigation by the Arizona Department of Racing. Bold Delyse. one of several brood matrons in his kennel, reportedly suffered a stroke last July while whelping a litter of five puppies, none of whom survived. Since she was unable to stand or walk. another area kennel owner recommended she be euthanized. but her fate had not been confirmed.

In December Haines brought Bold Delyse and Days Lady Luck, both 10 year olds, to Pima Animal Control (PAC) in Tucson to be euthanized. By then, however, PAC's long-standing "death on demand" policy for racing greyhounds had changed in the wake of negative publicity involving a Tucson kennel owner who repeatedly used the county facility to dispose of "retired" racing dogs.
Both dogs were rescued by the Greyhound Adoption League. After the dogs were spayed, Delyse was transferred to Arizona Greyhound Rescue, and was adopted by Suzanne Waldenberger, a volunteer with the group. Delyse now shares a home with three other greyhounds and a Queensland heeler. The once-emaciated greyhound has recovered from the stroke, gained weight, and is thriving despite other ongoing medical problems related to her mistreatment.
Coincidentally, Delyse's littermate, AC Dear Darby, kept as a stud dog under equally deplorable conditions on an Iowa farm, was rescued last year and also has been adopted.
Delyse ran in 55 races during a three-year career, mostly at Wisconsin tracks. She was five when she ran her last race in October 1994. Haines was her fourth NGA owner.

Editorial Comment:
Bold Delyse is the daughter of Dutch Bahama and the granddaughter of Unruly, two of the greatest racers of the 20th Century. Despite her regal heritage, she was "sent to the farm" and housed in a dilapidated trailer that masqueraded as a breeding barn in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. Her littermate fared no better, if the progeny of greyhound royalty can be so abysmally treated, what chance do dogs of lesser pedigree have?