Brindlebabe

PRESS RELEASE Re : AGREEMENT BY IGB NOT TO EXPORT GREYHOUNDS TO CHINA GREYHOUND ACTION IRELAND is relieved to hear that the prospect of thousands of Greyhounds being bred in Ireland for Chinese greyhound Tracks has been shelved by the Irish Greyhound Board after fierce opposition by animal rights activists. As legislation stands these greyhounds could not be exported legally as no welfare agreement exists between Ireland and China. Gambling on Dogs and horses ,it appears is still not legal in China so this ill-conceived cruel money-grabbing idea was a no-go from that respect also. The greyhound Industry is in dire financial straits with a couple of tracks keeping the others afloat. Heavily subsidised by taxpayers money this dying Industry in sinking morally and from a business perspective. This development came to light in a Dail debate yesterday 3rd May 2011. GAI Spokesperson Bernie Wright says ‘Public pressure from both within Ireland and from International activists in the USA and Europe has diverted this cruel development. Obviously the IGB did not realise the positive shift in the public’s perception of these beautiful gentle breed of dogs, along with the determination of those who fight for their protection from those who try to exploit them. We will be monitoring this situation as tracks in China will have to get Thousands of Greyhounds from another source if this goes ahead’. In an Adjournment Debate 3rd May 2011, Full text attached . “The export of Irish greyhounds to the People's Republic of China” Minister of State, Shane Mc Entee, TD RELEVANT TEXT AS FOLLOWS, Shane Mc Entee TD. ‘The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is aware that Bord na gCon is exploring possible business opportunities in China and has been in contact with the Department in this regard. I would like to inform the House that today I met the Chairman and Chief Executive of Bord na gCon to discuss the proposal. I made it clear to Bord na gCon that I am not in a position to approve the project as presented. It was agreed that Bord na gCon would modify its proposal to exclude the export of greyhounds from Ireland but would continue to explore possibilities of developing the proposal to assist in the management of greyhound racing in China.’ Bernie Wright. PR 0872651720 Greyhound Action Ireland

Despite worldwide protests against the plans to export Irish greyhounds to China and assist the Chinese in the development of greyhound racing – the IGB’s proposals are moving on unabated. A letter that will hopefully enlist the support of our politicians has been compiled detailing a number of reasons why these proposals should be abandoned. The response from two of the North East’s politicians has been very encouraging - resulting in the following Lib-Dem press release which has attracted local media attention. http://fionahall.org.uk/en/article/2011/482482/howl-of-protest-over-appalling-greyhound-deal Please copy and paste the letter below and send to your MEPs - MPs & TDs etc. Contact forms for UK MEPs and MPs - MSPs & AMs http://www.writetothem.com/ Contact details for Irish MEPs and TDs http://www.europarl.ie/view/en/irish_meps.html http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/tdssenators/tds/ Contact details for all MEPs http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/public/geoSearch.do;jsessionid Please also send a short message and a link to the online letter to David Cameron - Prime Minister and Nick Clegg – Deputy Prime Minister. Their respective contact forms can be found here https://email.number10.gov.uk/Contact.aspx and http://www.dpm.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/content/contact-deputy-prime-minister In all instances - please feel free to send your own letter or edit the letter below but please remember to be polite at all times. To view the letter online – please click here http://www.greytexploitations.com/resources-and-reports/letter-to-politicians Thank you - as always – for your care and compassion for the greyhounds. Dear The Irish Greyhound Board – Bord na gCon - are a semi state owned body and receives an annual grant from the Irish government through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. Presently the IGB are also seeking funding from the Department of Finance to export greyhounds to China and assist the Chinese in the development of greyhound racing. Speaking at the National Greyhound Awards in March 2011 – the IGB CEO Adrian Neilan said “The plan is to build a number of stadia in China and the Bord na gCon would provide the management expertise to deliver on this potential. In return we would secure a very significant management fee per stadia per year with all our costs already covered. Ireland would be the sole supplier of greyhounds for this venture and this would a very significant outlet for our hard pressed breeders” http://s428.photobucket.com/albums/qq1/Greytexploitations/London%20protest%20Irish%20Embassy/?action=view¤t=sportingpresscached-neilan.jpg (This is a snapshot of the page – original article has been removed) China has no laws against animal cruelty and dogs are skinned alive for their fur – horrifically killed for human consumption and bludgeoned to death in the streets as a means of population and rabies control. The EU imposed a ban on the importation of dog and cat fur from China in 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6765653.stm WARNING – VERY GRAPHIC VIDEO DEPICTING CHINESE DOGS SKINNED ALIVE. YOU WILL NEED TO SIGN IN AND VERIFY YOUR AGE TO WATCH. PLEASE PROCEED WITH CAUTION. http://youtu.be/hGSTMsD3_R8 On April 19th Sky News reported the rescue of 500 dogs in Beijing – transported in horrific conditions and destined for the dog meat markets. In December 2010 the International Monetary Fund agreed a loan of €22.5bn to help Ireland’s economy. Britain is one of the three bilateral lenders who contributed to Ireland’s bailout – more specifically to the tune of £3.25bn - with Denmark and Sweden also making a contribution. http://www.parliament.uk/briefingpapers/commons/lib/research/rp2010/RP10-082.pdf (If the link fails to open the pdf - please copy and paste the link into your browser) The IMF is “a multi-year program, targeting vulnerabilities in the banking system and aiming to restore prospects for growth — without which there can be no enduring solution to the crisis. The authorities designed a program with fairness in mind so that the burden of economic and financial adjustment is shared across all levels of society, with the most vulnerable groups the most protected” Ireland has planned to cut welfare spending by 15% - shedding €3.3bn over the next 4 years to include Child Benefit - which will undoubtedly affect those ‘most vulnerable groups’ the IMF is specifically intended to protect. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/1124/1224284026067.html http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Press/Speeches/2010/Pages/sp081210.aspx Internationally greyhound racing has been in decline for a number of years – America having seen the dog racing industry cut in half in the last 10 years with only 25 tracks remaining operational. http://www.grey2kusa.org/action/states.html In Britain the industry’s income has reduced by 23% in the last 12 months and by 50% in the last 3 years despite only 4 of its 29 tracks closing in the same 3 year period. http://greyhoundstar.blogspot.com/2010/12/bgrf-board-approves-2011-budget-for.html The Irish Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund - generated through a 1% tax from off-course betting - is heavily subsidised by the Exchequer and in 2011 the Irish government contributed €11.5m towards the financing of Irish greyhound racing – a reduction of only 3.3% on the previous years grant. http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/press/ministersspeeches/speechesbyministerbrendansmith/2010/15december2010drafthorseandgreyhoundracingfundno2regulations2010/ ‘The IGB is currently under extreme financial pressure due to falling income streams, especially the decreasing amounts provided from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund and €25m in borrowings, due in large part to the costs associated with the construction of Limerick Stadium. The level of borrowing is of concern’ http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/publications/2011/briefforministermarch2011/Chapter%204%20Main%20Brief%20Part%202.pdf Page 175 – 9.3 Bord na gCon (If the link fails to open the pdf - please copy and paste the link into your browser) The decision to develop Limerick stadium at an estimated cost of €20m - was taken in March 2009 at the height of a global recession. http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/greyhounds-stadium-progress-cheers-up-hardhit-race-fans-1659082.html The Irish government has recently been taken to court by the European Commission for the reduced rate of VAT applied on the sale of horses and greyhounds. Until 2008 – the sale of horses and greyhounds attracted a zero rate. http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/tax-court-ireland.779 Last year the IGB argued vehemently for exemption of greyhounds from the Dog Breeding Bill and a compromise was agreed with the government. The Greyhound Welfare Bill was drafted - with less stringent breeding legislation but the bill has failed to be enacted – leaving the Irish greyhound unprotected by any form of welfare legislation. The EU have for a number of years financially supported Irish greyhound racing through the Farms Diversification Scheme - which encourages farmers to establish themselves as greyhound breeders to further over breed greyhounds in a declining market. http://www.ndp.ie/viewdoc.asp?mn=euso&nID=4&fn=%2Fdocuments%2FEU_Structural_Funds%2Foperational_prog%2Fagriculture_farm3.htm&UserLang=EN&css=3 Despite the subsidies, exemptions and lack of burdensome welfare legislation – Irish greyhound breeding has declined by at least 25% in 4 years. However - the IGB presently boast ‘greyhound racing is responsible for close to 11,000 jobs, generating over €500 million in Ireland’ although these same figures have been continually ‘claimed’ since March 2009 and if the IGB are to be believed - it appears greyhound racing in Ireland is immune to the effects of a worldwide recession. http://www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie/publications/release.asp?ID=100460 Bizarrely – whilst the IGB are seeking to further invest public funds in China – April’s ‘Report of the Review of the Group on State Assets and Liabilities’ states - ‘The Review Group recommends that Bord na gCon should dispose of its interests in greyhound tracks if commercially satisfactory terms become available’ and ‘HRI and Bord na gCon should dispose of their Tote interests if commercially satisfactory terms become available’ http://www.finance.gov.ie/documents/publications/reports/2011/stateassetts.pdf - Recommendations 49 & 50 - Page 117 & 118 (If the link fails to open the pdf - please copy and paste the link into your browser) More recently the IGB have given assurances that greyhounds will be ‘well cared for’ in China. However - the exporting of greyhounds and the selling of ‘management expertise’ to the Chinese would undoubtedly be a short term investment. Not only would it take less than 2 years for China to establish its own breeding programme whereby the demand for Irish greyhounds would cease – it would take far less time for China - the world’s fastest growing economy - to develop - operate and control its own stadiums using the IGB’s prototype. Stadiums where the IGB would have no control over welfare issues - a point raised by a spokesperson of the Irish Department of Agriculture who stated “As with any country, we do not have any influence on the welfare standards adopted in other countries, and these matters are more appropriately dealt with by the country’s own legislative system” http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq1/Greytexploitations/Private/Irishsundaytimes.jpg The statement also serves as a reminder that no welfare legislation currently exists in Ireland for the protection of greyhounds – a situation that the Irish press have been keen to point out in a series of articles highlighting the abuse, neglect and destruction of Irish greyhounds. http://www.greytexploitations.com/resources-and-reports/cruelty-and-neglect http://s428.photobucket.com/albums/qq1/Greytexploitations/?action=view¤t=Irish-Sun.jpg http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq1/Greytexploitations/Private/IrishMailonSunday-SnipNua.jpg Each year the industry breeds between 20,000 and 30,000 dogs and it is estimated 8,000 greyhound puppies - either too slow or will not chase the mechanical lure - 'disappear down a black hole' before even reaching the Irish tracks. The IGB makes little provision for the dogs that are discarded by the industry once deemed of no further use as a 'betting unit' and despite the strenuous efforts of greyhound rescue groups in Ireland - every year many thousands of healthy young greyhounds are callously killed by their breeders/trainers or dumped in pounds - where as 'hand ins' they are put to sleep almost immediately. In 2008 County Clare dog pound destroyed 273 and County Kerry dog pound destroyed a further 259 greyhounds - a total of 532 in just two of Ireland's 26 counties. What impact could these proposals have on the Irish tourist trade? The decision to send Irish racing greyhounds to China could not only have serious consequences for the dogs but also for the Irish economy in general – particularly so when images of greyhounds subjected to the aforementioned barbaric cruel practices are published worldwide. The proposals are an offence to public morality – as evidenced by the growing number of petition signatories - many of whom are Irish - opposing greyhound exports to China. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/say-no-to-greyhound-exports-to-china/ Ireland should not be subsidising these proposals - which will benefit only a small part of its economy - at a time when it is making swingeing public service cuts and the UK and EU is bailing Ireland out. I respectfully request you do everything in your power to bear pressure on the Irish government to abandon these proposals as it is also an offence to the social safety net and makes a mockery of public expenditure at a time of such austerity. Yours Sincerely -- Website: www.greytexploitations.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/greyt.exploitations YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/Greytexploitations

Please copy and paste this letter to your MPs. http://www.greytexploitations.com/resources-and-reports/letter-to-politicians Thank you.

Demonstration outside Embassy of Ireland, London Saturday April 9th 1pm until 2pm Please try to be there! Ask us for posters to take along There will be a demonstration outside the Irish Embassy in London from 1pm to 2pm on Saturday, April 9th against the Irish Greyhound Board's plans to export greyhounds to China, as part of a scheme to set up a greyhound racing industry there. Please try to attend, if you possibly can, and rescued greyhounds are also more than welcome. We will be producing special posters and leaflets for the demo and would like to send posters to as many as possible of those taking part, so you can put a cardboard backing on them and bring them along. Please e-mail [email protected] or call 01562 700 043 as soon as possible, if you would like us to post you some. Address: Embassy of Ireland, 17 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HR Map at http://tinyurl.com/IrishEmbassyLondon Get directions at http://tinyurl.com/IrishEmbassyLondon2 Nearest Underground stations - Hyde Park Corner and Victoria Nearest bus stop Wilton Street Buses from main railway stations - Euston 73, Kings Cross 73, Marylebone 82, Paddington 36 & 436, St Pancras 73 We recommend you allow at least 45 minutes for you bus journey Info on buses/undergound from elsewhere in London, call Transport for London on 0843 222 1234 and then press 3 to speak to an advisor. For more info on the campaign to stop Irish greyhounds being sent to China, see our blog at http://greyhound-action.blogspot.com _______________________________________________ Website: www.greyhoundaction.org.uk Latest news: http://greyhound-action.blogspot.com Please feel free to forward/crosspost/circulate this message.

http://38degrees.uservoice.com/forums/78585-campaign-suggestions/suggestions/1570299-stop-greyhound-exports-to-china?ref=title Please sign and pass to all your contacts.

Greyhound Crusdaders/SWAP team UK are extremely concerned about the Sunday Times article below- please support our international appeal for help. The Greyhounds need your voice now! Every voice counts from around the globe. Please see the Sunday Times article below from the UK. We now need all our supporters globally to please write to the IGB (Irish Greyhound Board), the Irish Department of Agriculture and the ISPCA (Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to vehemently protest about this immediately! Please remember it is imperative that all correspondence is kept polite. Please email the following people below to urge them to stop this HORRIFIC idea immediately, the fate of many Greyhounds lay in the hands of the Irish Greyhound Board and the authorities that allow this to go ahead. THIS MUST BE STOPPED NOW! We cannot emphasize how concerned we are to the fate of these poor dogs! If you wish to copy the appalling photo above in your protest (photo taken from a Greyhound Action leaflet) please do so to make your point. Thank you Barry Coleman (head of Greyhound welfare at the Irish Greyhound Board)- [email protected] Irish Greyhound Board public relations dept- [email protected] ISPCA -(The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) - [email protected] Department of Agriculture in Ireland- [email protected] Many thanks for your support Greyhound Crusaders/SWAP team UK ------------- SUNDAY TIMES ARTICLE FEBRUARY 27TH 2011 (UK) But welfare groups are furious at plans to export greyhounds claiming that animals too slow to win races are routinely slaughtered and even eaten John Mooney Published: 27 February 2011 And they’re off ... Bord na gCon, the Irish greyhound board, wants to export dogs to China as part of an international expansion that could result in it operating racing stadiums there. The move is opposed by Irish animal welfare groups, which say other countries refuse to sell greyhounds to China. Dogs too slow to win races are routinely slaughtered and even eaten, they claim. Attempts have been made to improve the image of greyhound racing but the welfare of retired dogs continues to be a concern. It has been raised by Joanna Lumley, the actress, and Richard Wilson, of One Foot in the Grave. Sharon Ní Bheoláin, the RTE newsreader, and other public figures have also campaigned about the welfare of the racing dogs. Bord na gCon says Chinese officials visited Dublin this month to see how the Irish greyhound-racing industry is run and regulated. A spokesman said the board informed the Department of Agriculture, which regulates the transport of greyhounds, about its expansion plans. “As with any country we do not have any influence on the welfare standards adopted in other countries, and these matters are more appropriately dealt with by the country’s own legislative system,” the spokesman said. The export of greyhounds was a matter for individuals and Bord na gCon, said the department. “The board has informed us that they are exploring the possibility of assisting with the establishment of greyhound racing in China,” it said. Ireland exports greyhounds to America, mainland Europe, Australia and Pakistan, but animal-welfare societies want trading with China to be prohibited. Orla Aungier, of the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said China had a reputation for the ill-treatment of wild and domestic animals. “A number of countries which export greyhounds to China are already under pressure to stop because dogs that do not race well are routinely killed,” she said. “If Irish greyhounds are sent to China it would be almost impossible to monitor their welfare. We are urging Bord na gCon to reconsider their plans and to think about how devastating this move will be for the welfare of Irish greyhounds.” China is the main source of the 2m cats and dogs killed annually for their fur, according to the Humane Society of the United States. The reputation of the Irish greyhound racing industry was tarnished in the 1990s when images of starving and ill-treated dogs exported to Spain and Italy appeared in the media. The Irish authorities stopped supporting the Spanish trade. Ní Bheoláin has urged greyhound breeders to think twice about sending dogs to China. “I’d be extremely fearful of condemning any Irish animal to an existence where their basic welfare requirements are routinely ignored. Economic factors aside, we cannot as a civilised nation be seen to trade in cruelty,” she said. Ireland, as one of the world’s biggest exporters of greyhounds, must “ safeguard our reputation and start to set standards,” she added. Greyhound racing is worth €500m a year to the Irish economy, according to Bord na gCon. Greyhound exports are valued at €40m a year. Animal-welfare groups have long criticised the practice of destroying healthy dogs when too old to race. When a greyhound reaches three to five years, it is considered too slow. Greyhounds have also been destroyed after being injured while racing. Snip Nua, a dog part-owned by Dara Ó Briain, the comedian, was put to sleep after injuring itself in a collision with another greyhound. Snip Nua was in Three Men go to Ireland, a television series with Ó Briain, Rory McGrath and Griff Rhys Jones. ·

In Memory of Snip Nua 14.12.10 Today marks the anniversary of Snip Nua’s tragic death in circumstances that saw her affluent syndicate owners – to include comedian Dara O’Brien - deny her veterinary care for a treatable racing injury and the right to be afforded a 'Duty of Care' 'Snip Nua ~ Innocently Unaware of Her Fate’ Please click here to visit Snip’s remembrance page and view a video made in memory of her short life. http://greytexploitations.com/in-remembrance/in-memory-of-snip-nua Please forward and cross post ~ thank you Many apologies for the late delivery of this email Website: www.greytexploitations.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/greyt.exploitations YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/Greytexploitations Forum: www.greytexploitations.com/forum/index.php

That is one price hike for Mollydog! Our 3 were all down as unneutered, so they have hopefully changed that now. We were also told neutering makes no difference to premiums which sounds ridiculous to me. Our excess went up to 75 pounds and Molly (the eldest, now 8) has the cheapest premium of all 3! Apparently they do take into account previous claims. However being crossbreeds they come in cheaper than the pedigrees.

Just under 24 hours left to have a bid and help DAWG .

Auction now open .

This Saturday, Poole Park, 10am Please give your support In addition to taking part in the company's week-long greyhound protection campaign (see http://www.lush.co.u...und_racing.html), the Lush store in Poole has organised a sponsored dog walk this Saturday (October 16th) to raise funds for Greyhound Action. The walk starts at 10am at the cricket pavilion in Poole Park (see map at http://tinyurl.com/Poole-Park) and will go through the town to finish at the Lush store (where all canine participants will receive a doggy goody bag!). This is an excellent opportunity to further educate the public about the plight of greyhounds and is particularly important because there is a greyhound track at Poole Stadium which our Dorset branch is campaigning to close. So, especially If you live in or near the Dorset area, please do your best to take part in this walk at which any dogs are welcome, not just greyhounds. If you're not able to take part, you can still support the walkers by making a donation to Greyhound Action (see http://www.greyhound.../donations.html) which we will use to support the campaign to end greyhound racing in Poole (see http://www.greyhound...uk/GADorset.htm). _______________________________________________ www.greyhoundaction.org.uk

Please take a rescued ex-racer along if you can We've been contacted by the Lush store in Oxford asking if we can help find them some rescued greyhounds for their greyhound protection campaign press call tomorrow. They've been in touch with local dog rescues, but none of them have any greyhounds at present. So, if you live in or near the Oxfordshire area, and have a rescued greyhound that you can take along to Lush Oxford tomorrow (you'd need to be there by 11.30am), please call the store on 01865 244826. They are open until 6pm tonight and from 9am in the morning. Address of the store is 51 Cornmarket Street, OX1 3HA. More info about the Lush campaign can be found at http://greyhound-action.blogspot.com _______________________________________________ www.greyhoundaction.org.uk

http://www.lush.co.uk/articles/our_ethical_campaigns/greyhound_racing.html .

Sighthound Welfare Trust's Autumn Auction 2010 Date and time – 7pm Thursday 14th October/9pm 21st October Beneficiary – Dog Action Welfare Group (DAWG), Cork, Ireland http://www.dogactionwelfaregroup.ie/ Venue Sighthound Welfare Trust This is our last auction for 2010, so please support us in helping to raise much needed funds for DAWG. Most of us are aware of the wonderful work DAWG carry out for all dogs and sighthounds in particular. Sighthounds are seldomly regarded as suitable companions in Eire, suffering needlessly from sheer neglect, abuse and a culture of seeing them as fit only for racing and hunting. A few SWT members have adopted greyhounds and lurchers from DAWG and had it not been for the care and devotion given to them there, they simply would not have survived. Sadly and frustratingly, as soon as homes are found, there are other sighthounds desperately needing their help to survive. Please turn out your cupboards and drawers and have a pre-Christmas clear out! Any items in good condition or unused can be listed in our Auction. All you need to do is take a photo or two, write a short description of what you are offering and add a note to say if you need the winner to pay postage and send an email with all the information to [email protected]. Thank you once more for your support for these selfless volunteers and incredible dogs, giving them the chance of a loving life.

16.09.10 Rarely do you come across a full and frank viewpoint from the gambling industry but an eagle eyed American colleague spotted a video of Gordon Bissett head of Ladbrokes Greyhound Stadia delivering a speech during a conference organised by the American greyhound racing industry in March of this year. Youve heard of buy one get one free well we have that with dogs says Gordon Bissett Head of Ladbrokes Greyhound Stadia Mr Bissett appeared blissfully unaware his viewpoint on the decline of greyhound racing would be placed in the public domain the contents of which are not only very encouraging for the greyhounds but also for those who serve to protect them. Please click here to read the full article http://greytexploitations.com/resources-and-reports/greyhound-racing-industry-officially-in-free-fall Many thanks as always for your care & compassion for the greyhounds www.greytexploitations.com

Please forward and cross post ~ thank you ~ IMPORTANT APPEAL ~ Dear Supporter We urgently need your help to ensure the welfare of a large number of greyhounds kept in appalling conditions at ZigZag stud and puppy farm on the outskirts of Lincoln. Please click here to view the extensive and very disturbing evidence. http://www.greytexploitations.com/resources-and-reports/zigzag-stud-and-puppy-farm-suppliers-to-liverpool-university-a-the-racing-industry The farm is owned by Charles Pickering who was first exposed in 2008 by the Sunday Times for selling puppies to Liverpool University for research and dissection. Since then, many supporters have devoted much time and effort trying to encourage Mr Pickering to surrender his dogs for re-homing, whilst campaigners have tried to apply pressure on the local authority – West Lindsey Council – to use their powers to either force Mr Pickering to comply with the law or to close him down. In short – the council have done nothing and as a consequence, greyhounds bred to supply a highly commercial industry or for research and dissection are continuing to suffer in dreadful conditions. Unlike trainers kennels who are regulated by the GBGB, it is the council's responsibility to ensure compliance with both UK Breeding Establishment legislation and associated EU law but officers at West Lindsey District Council appear to be in conflict over which department should take responsibility for enforcement. Although the council’s planning department has confirmed Mr Pickering has not been granted planning permission to operate as a Breeding Establishment since his initial application expired in 2008, the licensing department has been unable to confirm whether Mr Pickering still holds a license to breed. What is clear is that the council has in the past and as recent as last year, granted Mr Pickering a breeder’s license fully in the knowledge he was not complying with relevant planning law. Despite the fact that Mr Pickering’s premises are not licensed by the GBGB, his kennels will have been visited many times by the GBGB earmarking stewards and Mr Pickering still currently owns a number of dogs that have raced and dogs still eligible to race on GBGB tracks, which means he has to comply with the Rules of Racing. The industry’s governing body have previously disciplined and ‘warned off’ owners similar to Mr Pickering, for breaches of Racing Rules and disciplined unlicensed people - David Smith of Seaham for the slaughtering of 1,000’s of dogs and more recently the Freeman’s whose license had expired. At least 25% of the dogs re-homed by the industry’s Retired Greyhound Trust have never raced on licensed tracks – wont chase or too slow and the RGT have also be known in the past to re-home stud dogs and brood females. Regardless, Mr Pickering - as the largest racing greyhound breeder in the country - has supplied 1,000’s of dogs to the industry and as such, the industry should accept some responsibility for the welfare of these greyhounds and Mr Pickering's actions as an owner. In a statement to the Sunday Express, Mr Pickering claims the RSPCA made unannounced visits to the farm and found the condition of the dogs to be of the ‘highest order’. From the evidence provided by the investigators – this clearly is not the case. The Member of Parliament for the area is Edward Leigh who signed an Early Day Motion in March of this year on the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds. Please write to West Lindsey District councillors, the RSPCA, Edward Leigh, the GBGB and also the local media requesting they investigate this appalling situation and help to ensure the welfare of these greyhounds as a matter of urgency. Please remember to enclose these links in support of your request and please remember to keep all correspondence polite. http://www.greytexploitations.com/resources-and-reports/zig zag-stud-and-puppy-farm-suppliers-to-liverpool-university-a-the-racing-industry http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/178015/Agony-of-caged-greyhounds West Lindsey Councillors Cllr Ms G F Bardsley [email protected] Cllr O C Bierley [email protected] Cllr Ken Bridger [email protected] Cllr Mrs J Brockway [email protected] Cllr T Brown [email protected] Cllr A D Caine [email protected] Cllr D J Cotton [email protected] Cllr S Curtis [email protected] Cllr Mrs M W Davidson [email protected] Cllr I G Fleetwood [email protected] Cllr A H Frith [email protected] Cllr P Howitt-Cowan [email protected] Cllr B W Keimach [email protected] Cllr S F Kinch [email protected] Cllr Mrs A T Lawrence [email protected] Cllr M G Leaning [email protected] Cllr Mrs J B Milne [email protected] Cllr P J O'Connor [email protected] Cllr M J W Parish [email protected] Cllr Mrs I Parrott [email protected] Cllr W S R Parry [email protected] Cllr Mrs J A Rainsforth [email protected] Cllr Mrs S Rawlins [email protected] Cllr Thomas Regis [email protected] Cllr Mrs D M Rodgers [email protected] Cllr Mrs L A Rollings [email protected] Cllr Mrs H Shore [email protected] Cllr R A Shore [email protected] Cllr K J Smith [email protected] Cllr M L Starkey [email protected] Cllr C L Strange [email protected] Cllr J J Summers [email protected] Cllr M Tinker [email protected] Cllr C J Underwood-Frost [email protected] Cllr Mrs A Welburn [email protected] Cllr G Wiseman [email protected] Cllr T V Young [email protected] Member of Parliament Edward Leigh [email protected] GBGB [email protected] RSPCA Cruelty Helpline 0300 1234 999 RSPCA Lincolnshire Mid and Lincoln Branch Telephone 01522 544862 Email [email protected] Local Media Lincolnshire Echo Newsdesk [email protected] BBC Lincolnshire [email protected] If any rescues are in a position to re-home any of these greyhounds, please contact your local RSPCA Many thanks ~ as always ~ for your care and compassion for the greyhounds

12.05.10 The Manchester Evening News has published an excellent article exposing – yet again - the continued destruction of greyhounds sustaining injuries ‘uneconomical to treat’ and greyhounds ‘uneconomical to re-home’ at Belle Vue dog track. Officials told M.E.N. journalist - Yakub Qureshi - that in the last 12 months, Liverpool University scientists had received 33 dogs from the stadium – 31 of these were put to sleep because of injury and the two others put down because of aggressive behaviour. Please click here to read the full article and details of how you can help. http://www.greytexploitations.com/resources-and-reports/dying-to-entertain-you/death-and-dissection Many thanks, as always, for your support and compassion for the greyhounds. www.greytexploitations.com

Street stalls, demos, other events nationwide On Sunday, May 2nd 2004, a black male greyhound (later found to have been called Rusty) was discovered by a dog walker, who heard him whimpering in agony in a rubbish tip on Fochriw Mountain in the Rhymney Valley, South Wales. Rusty had been injured in several ways, including being shot in the head with a captive-bolt pistol, and his ears had been hacked off (presumably, because they contained tattoos that could identify him). Despite this appalling torture, Rusty was still alive - and wagging his tail - but his injuries were so extensive that he was later "put to sleep" by a vet. Later that year, at Caerphilly Magistrates Court, greyhound "executioner" Andrew Gough was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for torturing Rusty and banned from keeping animals for life. It is almost six years since poor Rusty was mutilated and left to die, because he was no longer fit to race. On the first weekend of May, we will be remembering him, and all the other dogs that have suffered and died at the evil hands of the greyhound racing industry. It emerged during Gough's trial that Rusty's "owner" and trainer had handed him over to Gough to kill, after a toe injury had ended the greyhound's racing career. On May 1st & 2nd, to mark the sixth anniversary of his suffering and death, we will be holding Remembering Rusty Weekend, in memory of Rusty and of all the other dogs who have suffered and died at the hands of the greyhound racing industry. Greyhound Action supporters throughout the country will be organising/taking part in street stalls, demos outside greyhound tracks etc. to mark Remembering Rusty Weekend by persuading the public to boycott greyhound racing. If you're interested in organising/taking part in an event in your local area for Remembering Rusty Weekend, please contact Greyhound Action as soon as possible at [email protected] or on 01562 700 043, so we can send you leaflets, posters and other campaign materials and give you any advice you may need. See www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/justiceForRusty.htm for more info about the Rusty case and previous events in his memory. It would also help greatly if all of our supporters/sympathisers could write letters, as soon as possible, to their local papers about Remembering Rusty Weekend. Below is a sample letter you can send, or if you so wish, you can compose your own. SAMPLE LETTER RE REMEMBERING RUSTY WEEKEND May 1st and 2nd is Remembering Rusty Weekend, when events are held across the UK to draw public attention to the plight of greyhounds. May 2nd is the 6th anniversary of the death of a greyhound called Rusty, who was shot, tortured and abandoned on a South Wales mountain, after a toe injury put an end to his racing days. According to international greyhound protection organisation Greyhound Action, more than 12,000 greyhounds, bred for the British racing industry, are "put down" every year, after failing to make the grade as racers or when their "careers" on the tracks come to an end. An RSPCA report on greyhound racing has stated 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". In addition, a large number of greyhounds sustain serious, sometimes fatal, injuries whilst racing, due to the dangerous nature of the tracks. Members of the public can help put an end to this horrific situation by not attending dog tracks or betting on greyhound racing, so this appalling death-industry fades away through lack of financial support. For more information, please visit Greyhound Action's website at www.greyhoundaction.org.uk Yours sincerely, Name, Address, Telephone number (many newspapers require this in addition to your name and address, but it doesn't get published)

Long list of Belle Vue fatalities continues An international greyhound protection group has renewed its calls for the closure of the dog track at Manchester's Belle Vue Stadium, after learning of the death yet another greyhound there. Greylag Sophie, who was less than two years old, collapsed and died suddenly at the end of a race last Wednesday afternoon, following a collision with another dog on the first bend. The greyhound's death has led to increased support for Greyhound Action's call for an end to dog racing at the stadium, where the group's local supporters already hold regular demonstrations. Tony Peters, Greyhound Action's UK Co-ordinator, said: "Greylag Sophie's tragic death is just one of a long list of greyhound fatalities at Belle Vue Stadium. "We were informed of the incident by an official at the track, who has become increasingly concerned about the suffering and slaughter of dogs caused by the greyhound racing industry. "Just a few weeks ago, another young dog, called Afflecks Palace, was 'put down' by the track vet, after being seriously injured when he was knocked over by another dog during a race. "Details obtained by greyhound protection campaigners under the Freedom of Information Act indicate that over 40 dogs are being 'put down' annually at the stadium after suffering injuries there. "Thousands of injuries to greyhounds, many of them serious, occur every year in Britain. The main reason for this is that the shape of the tracks, with fast straights leading into tight bends, creates a very dangerous environment for dogs to run in. "In addition, hundreds of other greyhounds, bred because of the demand created by Belle Vue, are put to death as puppies or young dogs, before they even make it to the track, after being judged unsuitable for racing. "According to recent research, more than 12,000 greyhounds, bred for the British racing industry, are 'put down' every year, after failing to make the grade as racers or when their 'careers' on the tracks come to an end. "An RSPCA report on greyhound racing has stated 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'. "Members of the public can help put an end to this horrific situation by not attending dog tracks or betting on greyhound racing, so this appalling industry fades away through lack of financial support." A photo taken at one of their demos outside Belle Vue can be viewed and downloaded (right click on picture) at http://tinyurl.com/Demo-at-Belle-Vue for use, free of charge. For more information, please visit Greyhound Action's website at www.greyhoundaction.org.uk PLEASE TRY TO SUPPORT THE AWARENESS DEMOS AT BELLE VUE - THE GREYHOUNDS NEED YOU! Email [email protected] for more details ~ thank you.

After weeks of speculation, the Racing Post has confirmed Portsmouth dog track will close with immediate effect. Eric Graham – Portsmouth General Manager – had refused to speak to the media in recent weeks but was forced to break his silence stating “I am bitterly disappointed that we will not be able to continue with greyhound racing at the stadium. It is particularly galling given that I have struggled on through a loss-making period with the thought that we would look forward to a new lease and the summer period which would have helped mitigate the loss†The GBGB have announced funding will be made available for the re-homing of dogs retiring from Portsmouth, although many of the 200 dogs will go on to race on other tracks - thereby displacing and forcing slower dogs racing on those tracks onto the scrapheap. Whilst it is the absolute responsibility of the trainers/owners and the gambling industry to ensure the welfare of all their greyhounds - commercial greyhound racing demands they force that responsibility onto the public, once their dogs are no longer of any commercial use as gambling units. The closure of Portsmouth is not simply a local issue – the effects will be felt nationally and will place further strain on the continually over stretched independent greyhound rescues nationwide, who receive no funding from the industry and depend solely on the generosity of public donations. Please forward the YouTube link below and ask friends and colleagues to help support a greyhound rescue group or to consider fostering or adopting a loyal and loving greyhound ~ thank you Many thanks – as always for your support, care and compassion for the greyhounds www.greytexploitations.com

Thank you to the hundreds of supporters who emailed the BBC and voiced their concerns over the broadcasting of Three Men Go to Ireland/Three Men in a Boat. A programme which inspired Philip Peake – Mullingar dog track’s General Manager – to proclaim ‘the visit of one of the BBC's top rating programme's is not only great publicity for greyhound racing and the Stadium but also with other activities planned around the locality it's a fantastic opportunity to showcase the region to an international audience’ The BBC have now admitted to Greytexploitations, they were aware of Snip Nua’s destruction before the programme was broadcast but have failed to provide us with a reason why they chose not to acknowledge her death, by way of an announcement prior to or at the end of the programme and - at the very least - inform complainants the BBC were aware of Snip’s destruction prior to the programme being aired. In the absence of any public statement from either Dara O’Briain or the BBC, and in light of the BBC’s failure to answer even the simplest of questions regarding the untimely death of Snip Nua, a series of peaceful demonstrations are now being organised. Please link to the full update for details of how you can help. Shortly after our last update the Irish Mail on Sunday published an article headlined ‘Dara’s dog starred in Three Men after she was put down’. An article which the newspaper claims ‘raises questions over the treatment of animals in the world of greyhound racing’ Please click here to read the full update including the excellent Irish Mail on Sunday article and details of how you can help http://www.greytexploitations.com/resource...-two-greyhounds As always - many thanks for your support, care and compassion for the greyhounds www.greytexploitations.com _______________________________________________ www.greyhoundaction.org.uk Please feel free to forward/crosspost/circulate this message.

Portsmouth Greyhound Stadium is set to shut after its managers were given one month's notice to leave the site. The land in Tipner is earmarked for redevelopment as part of plan to build 1,600 homes and a new M275 junction. The owners of the site, SEEDA and Tipner Regeneration Land, said the lease will not be renewed and the stadium will have to close by 1 April. Several charities will lose out from race nights and a campaign is under way to save the track. The greyhound track opened in 1936. Cosham Rotary Club said it had a race night booked in July and would expect to make £1,000 to £1,500 from the event. 'Devastating news' David Lang, from the charity organisation, said that equated to about 15% of the group's annual fundraising. Sue Cresdee, bookings clerk at the stadium, said: "It is devastating news. "It is not just the 47 staff affected but it has a knock-on effect to the charities that use the track and businesses which rely on racing in Portsmouth. "We knew the lease was going to end but we are just asking to go until the end of the season in September so we can fulfil our commitments." The Tipner redevelopment scheme will include new homes - 30% affordable housing - and it could create up to 1,500 jobs, the city council has said. In a statement, SEEDA said: "[it is] a much-needed regeneration scheme for Portsmouth that will create an important gateway to the city and deliver housing, jobs and a park and ride facility. "This was acquired from the Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) two years ago and was leased back to GRA for a fixed period. "The lease expires on 1 April 2010, after which the site will be cleared and secured." Source: BBC News

Auction closes at 9pm tonight!

Greyhound tracks are closing and the industry isn't doing enough to care for the thousands of dogs who face uncertain fate Michele Hanson guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 17 March 2010 13.59 GMT Article history Greyhound racing is in decline. Photograph: Linda Nylind Portsmouth greyhound track may soon be closing down. The owner denies it, and says he in negotiations, but dog racing is in decline. Walthamstow and Reading stadiums have recently closed, and if Portsmouth goes too, 220 greyhounds will be in trouble and need rescuing. That's on top of the other 10,000 a year that are unfit to race – too old, injured or not up to scratch – and so thrown on the scrapheap. Owners and trainers are meant to pay £200 for the care of each retired dog, but they're not always keen to do that, even though the industry is making squillions (bookmakers make about £2.34bn gross annual profit), and may try a cheaper disposal method. A couple of years ago, a rather unsavoury fellow in Durham had shot thousands of greyhounds in the head for £10 a pop, for licensed trainers, but he was an exception. We hope. People working in the industry say that the dogs are happy, don't need much of a walkie, take no drugs, are well fed and looked after because they need to be healthy to race. There are good and bad owners and trainers, but as soon as you put humans, animals and money into an equation, you're going to have problems, and it's difficult to warm to an industry that dumps 10,000 dogs a year. Campaigners for greyhound welfare suggest that the dogs are not happy cooped up in a smallish pen with another dog, and are busting to run by the time they race. They're stuffed with drugs and thrown away when their short racing life is over, aged between three and five years old. On top of that, about 15,000 puppies seem to disappear annually, because they weren't much good at racing and never even made the race track. The lucky ones get to a regulated track (the industry regulates itself), which has its own attached re-homing centre, some good, some not. Unregulated "flapping" tracks are usually grimmer – more crowded, worse conditions, and the redundant dogs are off in a lorry to God knows where. Horrible stories abound. One independent rescue centre in the north of England has a wall of shame, listing the situations and conditions in which the hundreds of abandoned dogs were found. When I was a child in the 50s, half an Alsatian was found in the freezer of a local restaurant. Uproar. The story hit the local headlines. That was half a dog. Now we have tens of thousands of dogs disappearing and hardly anyone bats an eyelid. Perhaps we don't want to think about it. You need a strong stomach and a will of iron to plunge into the world of greyhound rescue. The website pictures of dead and injured dogs stick in your head, along with the knowledge that people really are that cruel and greedy. Greyhound owners can be identified by tattoos in the dogs' ears. But ears can be, and are, cut off. In Spain, the greyhound (galgo) problem is even more harrowing and massive. Galgos are used to hunt hares; they're for chasing, not racing. They're often poorly fed and kept in hovels. The season lasts from September to February and dogs are usually kept for only one season. Too stingy to keep them until the next one, the owners get rid of them in various grisly ways: hanging them from trees, throwing them down wells, mutilating and abandoning them – about 50,000 annually, so life for our greyhounds is a comparative breeze. Luckily our refuges find homes for a few rescued galgos, and for about 5,000 of our own 10,000 surplus greyhounds a year. So why not rescue one? Go on. They make fabulous pets. They're very relaxed, almost lazy, elegant, beautiful, sensitive, serene, gentle with children, hardly bark and don't need constant attention. They may mistake a Jack Russell for a rabbit in the early days, before you've had time to retrain them, they may not be keen to come back when called. Otherwise I cannot fault them. But I can fault the owners and bookies. They need to spend a lot more on the dogs that have made them their fortunes. The Guardian

Our auction is now open! Please pop along and support greyhound rescue . You will need to register.