Welfare of a Greyhound used to race
Disadvantages Over the last few decades multiple cases concerning Greyhound cruelty and slaughter have been reported and many brought to our attention via the media. These cases have highlighted the various forms of abuse within the Greyhound racing world and are listed below. • Use of class A drugs being administered to dogs in order to fix races. • Greyhounds that are drained of blood by veterinary medics before being euthanized (Blood is then sold on to companies who will use the blood for transfusions of ‘pet’ dogs. • Dirty kennels, with little or no light, poor ventilation, no heating, little or no bedding (Kennel hands who whistle-blow) • Dogs destroyed by free bullet and their carcasses being burnt on bonfires within private land belonging to trainers etc • Masses of dogs killed by use of the Captive bolt gun (Behind closed doors on private land • Dogs killed in Knackers yards (Abattoirs) by use of Captive bolt gun • Dogs destroyed by the stadium vet for minor injuries • Dogs being drowned others are bludgeoned to death and dumped • Dogs ears are usually mutilated, cut off with a knife or scissors to prevent them being traced back to the owner via the ear tattoo • Dogs that are elderly being kept prisoner in kennels long after they have retired Breeding Almost 80 % of British Greyhounds are bred in Ireland and transported to the UK on a supply and demand basis. The fastest and fittest dogs are in high demand, these dogs are less likely to be destroyed for a minor injury as they can be kept prisoner for use of breeding due to their good genetics and speed. The slow or unhealthy dogs are less of a priority and are easily discarded of, this includes the mental ability of a dog i.e Dogs that do not get along with other dogs, may fight on the track, rendering the dog unsuitable to perform on the track. Dogs that are often disposed of due to NOT being commercially viable. • Too Slow • Unhealthy • Little or no interest in running • Pregnant • Injury • Will fight with other dogs Injuries • Around 30 dogs per week die through injury on licensed tracks. • Dogs are often made to run in freezing cold icy weather condition. • The stadium vet can destroy a dog at a stadium for minor injuries depending on the decision of the owner/trainer • Every stadium has a freezer to store dead dogs • It often costs less for the stadium vet to destroy a dog than to pay a private vet • No insurance company will insure a Greyhound used to race on the track Re-homing A minority of the dogs are re-homed • Some dogs are re-homed to independent rescue centres who do NOT receive any government funding • Some are re-homed by the Retired Greyhound Trust who receive funding from the Greyhound Racing Industry and the gambling industry. The RGT were originally set up by the Greyhound racing industry at a time when public concern was raised as to what was happening to the dogs when they ended their racing days. Many Campaigners tend to view the RGT as a public relations team, working with both the industry and the public. When rescue centres are full 1) Dogs are advertised on Gumtree and other free internet advertising websites 2) Dogs may be abandoned 3) Dogs are euthanized by a vet 4) Dogs are legally killed by Captive bolt gun 5) Dogs may be killed by other means.. Re: no 4 & 5 AWA2006 States it is an offence to cause pain and suffering to an animal. An offence has to be proven before a person will be charged for unlawfully killing an animal. The Greyhound Racing industry is self governed by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) If cruelty is reported to the RSPCA regarding suffering of a Greyhound that is still registered to race, the RSPCA will usually pass the case on to the GBGB Please note: The AWA 2006 depends on local authorities employing warranted officers to enforce the act. As far as we are aware only a handful of local authorities employ a warranted officer. The breed of Greyhound has existed for thousands of years and Greyhound racing has only existed in the UK since 1926. Greyhounds make excellent loyal companions and were once very highly respected. Welfare of a Greyhound used to race Advantages NONE !!! Source: Greyhound-welfareTags: Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium @en, CAGED northwest, greyhound @en, greyhound racing @en, greyhound welfare @en, Greyt Exploitations