Most British greyhound racing stadiums use an outside mechanical hare. The hare comes round the track, passes the traps, the traps open, the dogs emerge and chase the hare. The race finishes and the hare stops. Then some greyhounds savage the hare in a desultory manner, disappointed with the lack of meat to be had on a mechanical hare.
About 20 years ago, and probably earlier, my local track operated such a hare. I distinctly recall people there (bookmakers, trainers, punters, etc.) referring to this device as an Outside McPherson. I can’t find any reference on the internet.
I can ask around - the most popular lure used in UK today is called outside Swaffham - haven’t heard of McPherson, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t exist at some time.
Not to put too fine a point on it, greyhounds are full of shit. Every time I debriefed mine following a race, all I got was a litany of excuses. Slow out of the traps, slipped on the first bend, crowded out up the back straight, wasn’t suited to the underfoot conditions, too much rain, not enough rain, too hot, too cold, distracted by the bitch in Trap 4 - you name it, I’ve heard it.
It’s not that bad, the proceeds are keeping her in kibble for the rest of her life. On the other hand, she is banned for life from the Baseball Hall of Fame.