Spare a thought for retired racers
THIS is National Greyhound Awareness Week, when greyhound lovers across the UK hold events in their local areas to highlight the plight of the racing greyhound.
Greyhound racing has very much been the topic of conversation recently, particularly with the latest crimes inflicted upon racing dogs which have been reported in the last few weeks by the national media.
We have recently reported to our supporters about a greyhound found stabbed to death with a breadknife in Sunderland; an ex-racing greyhound who was dumped in Sittingbourne and then involved in a road traffic accident; a greyhound found drowned in a potato sack in the River Foyle in Ireland; and a heartbreaking case of a greyhound who was pregnant with six pups, brutally killed and dumped on wasteland in Iron Acton near Bristol.
There were also disturbing cases in Hartlepool of a greyhound found decomposed, an emaciated greyhound found in Gloucestershire and a recent prosecution for a man who kept his racing greyhounds in 'concentration camp'-type conditions
Thousands of greyhounds are destroyed every year once they are retired from racing, at an average age of between three and four years old. Additionally, thousands of greyhound pups are destroyed each year because they are considered 'unsuitable for racing'.
The RSPCA believes that "at least 20 greyhounds a day, either puppies which do not make the track, or 'retired' dogs aged three or four, simply 'disappear', presumed killed. Many greyhounds every year also sustain serious, sometimes fatal injuries while racing.
I feel it is a sad reflection on a so-called nation of animal lovers when thousands of healthy young dogs are being killed and abused every year to support an industry that exists, in my opinion, solely to make money.
People can help to put an end to all this unnecessary suffering by boycotting what I regard as a shameful so-called sport, by supporting local anti-racing campaign groups and adopting a retired racing greyhound from local rescues.
They make the most wonderful companions and contrary to belief they don't need a lot of exercise. Have a heart for the greyhounds – please support national greyhound awareness week.
For more information on the plight of the racing greyhound, visit www.greyhoundaction.co.uk.
20 Comments
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by Maria Daines, UK
Thursday, June 04 2009, 8:18PM
“The Greyhound racing industry is disgraceful. Why is it allowed to continue when we are supposedly a nation of animal lovers and why are our animal welfare laws seemingly useless in preventing cruelty to Greyhounds in racing? Something is very wrong!”
by Maria Daines, UK
Thursday, June 04 2009, 8:04PM
“I fully support the work of Greyhound rescue volunteers and it is high time the truth regarding the Greyhound racing industry was made clear to the general public and let them decide whether or not they wish to participate in racing events that, in many cases, help these lovely dogs run to an early death.”
by Lin, Norwich
Wednesday, June 03 2009, 2:51PM
“Well done Greyhound Action for your excellent letter, pointing out what the greyhound racing industry are mostly responsible for. The killing will never stop until people realize that it is the 'business' of greyhound racing which fosters and perpetuates the cruelty, no matter how hard they try to separate themselves from it. The cruelty will never end until greyhound racing is out of business.”
by delia, kent
Tuesday, June 02 2009, 2:04PM
“I would like to see all race tracks shut down,when the dogs have finished racing which is about 2yrs old, they are abandoned. Most of these dogs are kept in appauling conditions, the lucky ones(if you can call it that) are rescued by the greyhound trust who then have to try and bring these poor animals back to health and find loving homes for them. My greyhound is one of those that luckily was saved, all this abuse goes on in( the name of sport).Im really disgusted that so many greyhounds are today being killed because they are either no good as racing dogs or they have run for their lives for their owners ,only to be disgarded when they no longer win.Its about time this cruel sport was abolished, unfortunately all the time people are making vast amounts of money on the backs of these dogs,we will all have to stick together and make as much noise as possible to stop it.”
by Nandita Shah, India
Tuesday, June 02 2009, 11:41AM
“Thank you for this article. The greyhound racing industry must be shut down.”
by lynne gibson, totnes
Monday, June 01 2009, 5:14PM
“Please support the greyhounds they badly need our help. They are beautiful gentle, intelligent dogs and make wonderful pets. Please boycott greyhound racing which trades on cruelty and misery all in the name of sport.”
by Alison Lore, England
Monday, June 01 2009, 2:28PM
“I have 2 greyhounds, though they are not the first that have been a part of my family. Both are ex-racers, rescues, my boy was found wandering the streets, presumably thrown out for not being fast enough. My girl was rehomed by her racing owner, but was pushed from one home to another, no more though. They are the sweetest, laid back and, compared to some other breeds, very undemanding dogs, save for love, cuddles and food which I am happy to give them!
The racing industry should be ended, for the dogs sakes, they are living, breathing, loving creatures and should not be treated as commodities and discarded after they have failed or served their usefulness.”
by Dawn Hawkins, Rutland
Monday, June 01 2009, 10:38AM
“It is a sad fact that these extreme acts of animal cruelty are still continuing and will continue until this vile 'sport' ceases to exist. For years there has been call for the industry to clean up its act, with little success, regardless of what their marketing campaigns portray to the general public.”
by Walter Lempe, Germany
Sunday, May 31 2009, 1:07PM
“I have had an ex-racing grey for 6 years. He was the best fellow I have ever had. He was so a lovely and sweat centle creature. We all shocked for the british-dog racing industrie.”
by Erna, Netherlands
Sunday, May 31 2009, 10:48AM
“I met my fist greyhound on a Dutch track in 1995, he was a very very neglected boy .At his age of 12 months I appeared to be his 6th(!) owner. He has blossomed into a wonderful friend for 13 years. Because of him I adopted a spanish galgo and became aware of the spanish cruelty. The adoption of an Irish bred lady grey who was sold for the Meridiana track in Barcelona taught me about the horrific fate of the greyhounds. She had been rescued by Scooby,Medina del Campo, when the Meridiana track closed. Because of her I adopted two retired racers from her homeground in Ireland. They are soooo wonderful and they enjoy their Dutch life 24 hours a day. They have changed my way of living and I love them very deeply.
In the future there will be another adoption from Ireland. .
Their fate brings me in tears everyday, and every time it breaks my heart knowing what happens to their precious relatives. In my living room there is always a candle burning.
When I see my pack sleeping on my couch I know we all are very lucky being in each other's company. They are in my heart... for always,
Erna”