No to The Bulldog Derby

Henderson NV

Description

We would truly like to encourage possible vendors, sponsors, hosts, and entrants of the planned "Bulldog Derby" to reconsider their plans to be part of this event. https://bulldogderby.com/ Bulldogs are a brachycephalic breed and because of the short nasal passages can not recover quickly from the exertion of energy (i.e. races) like other breeds of dogs that have full nasal passages. As a result, Bulldogs have been known to overheat in temperatures as long as 70 degrees. The Bulldog in our community that is being lured into this event more often than not includes family pets that have not had medical examinations (nor are any required for this event) to screen out dogs that might have underlying heart issues, joint issues, cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) ruptures that lead to TPLO surgeries, uncorrected soft palet and other health problems. This event, if held as in the past in California did not have adequate vet professionals at the event to deal with numerous cases of overheating - one can only imagine the amount of overheating problems in the desert. Donations to a couple small all-breed rescues may help those rescues, but the majority of the funds are not going to any rescue, let alone any the recognized English Bulldog rescues. The Derby operators are not a 501c charity and using others charity status to as an over for this being a charity event. The Derby operators deliberately used logos and names of well know English Bulldog rescue programs to make the Bulldog community think they are supporting Bulldog rescues. Legal action was threatened to get those recognized rescue logos to remove. Look closely not at who is part of this event, but those that are not part of it and want nothing to do with the Bulldog Derby. It is not that the Bulldog rescues were not asked (several times in fact) it is that the English Bulldog rescues, clubs, IG groups, Meet Up Groups, Bulldog community associations, and better breeders have all balked at the idea of this Derby in the desert. These people have told the Derby operators how risky this is for Bulldogs and ignored. Who benefits from this really are those in it for $$ - follow the money. The two all-breed rescues are getting 50% of the sponsor fees after expenses. The all-breed rescues will not answer questions about how they are involved or if they will bring dogs to the event. Just think about who gets shirt sales, tickets, licensing, party tickets, parking, admission fees, percentages of sales from vendors and sponsors? Why are no English Bulldog rescues part of this? Because they know how risky this is for Bulldogs and don't want to be associated with it. The Derby is not "safe or sane" for Bulldogs. It's not benefiting the Bulldog community enough to put Bulldogs' lives at risk. There is simply NOT enough money and only pure greed involved if it is putting a dogs life at risk for the sake of entertainment.