The suffering of the greyhounds

🎙️ Collective documentation on the suffering of the greyhound

The participants hat the photograph was likely taken in the late 90s or early 2000s. They agree on their memories of the greyhounds, the mistreatment they suffered and still endure ("if you ask the actual owners, they say they rescued them, and some are full of pellets because they cannot operate them, because the operation is more harmful than keeping the pellets inside the body…") and the sad end of their lives: "they were promoting the dog track and all, and they deserved a different end of life, like when we retire…". They also mention that some have been rescued by known individuals. However, sadness is still observed in their faces and attitude: "Some of those greyhounds stay away because they are scared… well, they have been mistreated…".

The participants also highlight how small the greyhound cages were and the sadness on their faces. One participant shares that the greyhounds arrived at the dog track from a farmhouse in Santa Coloma de Gramenet with three trucks carrying three levels of cages, each half a meter high. They parked next to the walkways, where the electrical transformers were located. People living around the dog track often complained about the continuous smell and noise it generated.

The conversation reminds the participants of what the surroundings of the dog track were like. At the back, there were homeless people sleeping and others begging for money. It was a strategic place because maybe someone who had won could give them something. There were also thieves who took advantage of the crowd to pickpocket, and even pimps offering the services of ladies. There were many bars and cafes around, some more luxurious than others and others more popular taverns. One participant shares the following fact: Between Barcelona, Hospitalet de Llobregat, and Santa Coloma de Gramenet, around 1976, there were more bars than in the whole of Europe.

Around the dog track, there were also several tobacconists, one of which was open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and there was always a long queue. Other iconic shops mentioned by the participants include a restaurant called "La cueva del tío Jesús," a place that sold roast chickens, and a furniture store.

👥Authors of the documentation

Alfred, Carmen, Neus and Enric.

⚙️ Metodologia

Photograph documented collectively by participating neighbors in the group Fem Memòries del Canòdrom

📸 Assignor

Josep Navarro (author) / Josep Navarro (assignor)