The Associated Press - Tuesday, July 15, 2003

A Greyhound Had To Be Euthanized After It Was Hit By The Track's Mechanical Lure

Leta's Princess, a 3-year-old female, walked into the path of the lure that dogs chase and was struck with the equivalent of 200 pounds of pressure Sunday afternoon at the Palm Beach Kennel Club, said Theresa Hume, the track's director of publicity.

The track veterinarian put up a screen as the injured dog was euthanized in front of about 1,500 people.

Leta's Princess was involved in a racing collision, then took the "very, very unusual" step of walking in front of the lure. Officials had shut the power off, but the lure's momentum kept it rolling, Hume said. Other dogs involved in the initial collision suffered minor injuries.

"It's very upsetting for all of us, very upsetting for the people who were here watching the races," Hume said. "There was nothing that could be done. We believe we did everything we could do."

Customers who bet on that race were refunded.
Source: The Associated Press, July 15, 2003