New York Times, 4/18/1971
For centuries, Afghan hounds have chased gazelles in their native Afghanistan. Today, they will chase a fox tail on Staten Island.
A meet is being sponsored by a new organization, the Hound Exercise Racing Association at Camp. St. Edwards, Woodvale Street and Hylan Boulevard, in the Princess Bay area. Post time is 2 P.M. Not only will Afghans have a chance to demonstrate their speed but owners of other breeds are invited to enter their dogs in the sprints, conducted on a 180‐yard straightaway. There is no admission or parking charge.
“As our name implies, we want owners to have a chance to exercise their dogs and, in addition, have the thrill of seeing their pets in competition,” said Norman Shuman, the president of HERA. “So we are not limiting our entries to hounds, although most of them probably will be from coursing breeds.”
HERA has two lure machines and a five‐stall starting gate. “We hope to have year‐round racing,” said Shuman. There will be a point system for a HERA racing championship.
In Chicago at the International show, a 200‐yard Astro turf course attracted big crowds for hound races. There was also a quarter mile oval for sled‐dog racing.
