Brindlebabe

SWT is holding a spring auction commencing 7pm, 11th March to 9pm on 18th March. Our beneficiary for a grant is RoyalHeart Greyhound Rescue, http://www.royalheartgreyhoundrescue.co.uk/. RoyalHeart is a relatively new rescue, but both Rachel and Eddie have been involved with greyhound rescues in Scotland for a number of years before setting up their own. As with most rescues, there is a never ending list of dogs waiting for places and Rachel and Eddie are always willing to take greyhounds needing a safe haven, who might otherwise be destroyed. Once again, we are asking you, our members and supporters, to check to see if there are unwanted goodies that you can donate. Perhaps you have some unwanted presents from Christmas, or feel like a spring clean! Anything in a good condition is acceptable. Please send a photograph with a short description, to me at [email protected] . We would also be grateful if you could let us know if you wish the winner to pay the postage costs, and state the cost for that when you send your details. Please ask your local shops if they have anything to give, or your friends and family. Thank you once more for your splendid support. We could not help sighthounds without your help.

'Brianna' Please click here to read a recent article depicting the horrific cruelty inflicted on a young female greyhound - in Northern Ireland and how the Rainbow Rehoming Centre not only sheltered her and obtained media coverage but are also urging the Irish Greyhound Board to identify her former ‘owner’ and hold them accountable. http://www.greytexploitations.com/resource...case-of-neglect Many thanks, as always, for your care and compassion for the greyhounds www.greytexploitations.com

A greyhound trainer who kept his dogs in filthy, blood-stained kennels has been given a suspended jail sentence. Wirral Borough Council removed 29 dogs from a farm in April 2009 after earlier warning trainer Ian Street about the welfare of his animals. Many were infested with parasites, some had infected sores and others had broken tails, Wirral magistrates heard. Street, who admitted 11 charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, was also banned from keeping animals for life. Charity Greyhound Rescue West of England (GRWE), which assisted with the removal of the dogs, believes it is the first time a local council has used the act to rescue greyhounds. The court heard that Street's dogs were being kept in damaged, rusty and blood-stained wire kennels, a garden shed and a loose-run compound at the farm on Frankby Road. A number of the greyhounds had severely damaged and bleeding tails, several with old breaks. The court has seen fit to ensure that no other dogs will be subjected to thoughtless cruelty at the hands of Mr Street The dogs had poor skin and coats that were caked in mud, urine and faeces. Most were displaying evidence of heavy flea, mite and worm infestations. Street admitted 11 charges under Section 4 and Section 9 of the act, which covers the prevention of unnecessary suffering and an owner's duty to ensure welfare. He was jailed for four months, suspended for one year, ordered to pay £1,000 costs and banned from keeping animals for life. Speaking after the sentencing on Monday, a spokesperson for GRWE said: "We are absolutely delighted with the sentence handed down to Mr Street today, and feel it shows due recognition of the neglect these dogs have endured. "We hope it will encourage other councils to use their powers under the animal welfare act to remove racing greyhounds from unsuitable conditions in the future. "We are delighted that the court has seen fit to ensure that no other dogs will be subjected to thoughtless cruelty at the hands of Mr Street." Source: BBC News

On February 14th 2009, a man walking his dog discovered a blood soaked blanket on wasteland in Iron Acton – a village on the outskirts of Bristol. Obviously alarmed, he investigated the contents and was horrified to find a dead black female greyhound. Her ears had been hacked off to prevent her from indentified by her tattoos and even more macabre – this poor girl was heavily pregnant with six puppies. Unlike Rusty, who was dumped on a Welsh mountainside in similar circumstances and despite months of investigations - DNA profiling, leafleting campaigns and public appeals – her true identity has never been determined and her killer(s) walk amongst us today – unpunished for this atrocious and barbaric crime. In memory of Valentina – Thomasz Adamski has captured her spirit in a restful pose and one which is befitting to remember her by. Please click here to view Valentina’s remembrance page and view Thomasz’s beautiful portrait of her. http://greytexploitations.com/in-remembrance/in-memory-of-valentina www.greytexploitations.com

Common's debate on greyhound welfare

You've answered your own question.

Thanks Marion .

01.02.10 On December 22nd, a concerned volunteer from a local rescue centre – Tony Locke - emailed greyhound protection groups asking for help and advice regarding four greyhounds kept in filthy conditions on a council allotment. The dogs are confined to a small muddy area, strewn with rubbish and dangerous objects and fed on what can best be described as ‘runny porridge’. One greyhound can be seen unable to place any weight on her hind leg and another dog is completely bald on his hind legs and underbelly. We have no way of knowing what bedding - if any - has been provided inside the sheds and despite Workington experiencing sub zero temperatures of minus 6ºC and heavy snow falls throughout January – the dogs have never been seen wearing coats or jackets. Please click here to view the video evidence, read the full article and details of how you can help http://www.greytexploitations.com/resources-and-reports/no-welfare-issues-say-allerdale-council Many thanks, as always, for your care and compassion for the greyhounds www.greytexploitations.com

Many of you will already be aware, confirmation has officially been received of Snip Nua’s destruction at Harolds Cross dog track on December 14th, after sustaining a broken hock, in what we now know to have been her last and fatal race. Snip Nua, at the tender age of 19 months, competed in just 7 races before she was deemed a financial liability by her 16 affluent syndicate members, to include the Business Editor of the Irish Times – Frank McNally and of course, the ‘joker’ in the pack, Dara O’Briain. Snip Nua 27.04.08 ~ 14.12.09 Run Fast ~ Run Free at Last Please click here to read the full updated article on Snip Nua http://www.greytexploitations.com/resources-and-reports/did-the-bbc-callously-dismiss-the-deaths-of-two-greyhounds

On New Years day the BBC aired another shameful piece of pro racing propaganda Three Men in a Boat - and on a day when last years Christmas Special achieved the BBCs highest rating over the festive period, with 5 million viewers. The Three Men in a Boat Rory McGrath, Griff Rhys-Jones and Dara OBrian as part of their travels across Ireland visit Mullingar dog track on October 10th, to gamble on OBrians jointly owned greyhound, Snip Nua. It has been alleged Snip Nua has since been destroyed due to sustaining a horrific injury prior to the BBC airing the programme. The fate of Redwood Rio who was badly injured during the BBC sponsored race at Mullingar remains unknown. Please click here to view the videos and read the full article http://www.greytexploitations.com/resource...-two-greyhounds Many thanks, as always, for your care and compassion for the greyhounds www.greytexploitations.com

I have received the following email Would you please use these links to the tv companies to politely ask the presenters/reporters to ask the viewing public to put out food for the birds and wildlife, particularly during this very cold spell. Thank you. http://news.bbc.co.uk/newswatch/ukfs/hi/ne...600/4032695.stm [email protected] http://www.gm.tv/contact-us/[/ [email protected] http://help.channel4.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBC...ET_PA=ContactUs://http://www.gm.tv/contact-us/[/ news...ET_PA=ContactUs http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/150835...d-tightens-grip Sunday Express. 10 January 2010. Birds: Fears for their survival as cold tightens grip. By Stuart Winter BRITAIN’S favourite birds are enduring a life-or-death struggle in the worst winter for a generation. The kingfisher and our smallest bird the goldcrest are facing oblivion. Both are vulnerable to cold and their numbers could be reduced to critical levels. Frozen streams and iced-over ponds will mean starvation for the kingfisher which needs fresh running water to find food. In the winter of 1963, when virtually every patch of open water froze, its numbers fell by 85 per cent. The goldcrest, which weighs little more than a 1p coin, is already locked in a fight for survival after its numbers were halved by harsh weather last winter. Some of our rarest birds are also teetering on the brink of extinction. Only 10 pairs of Dartford warblers were left in Britain after 1963. Intensive conservation work has meant that more than 3,000 birds haunt the gorse-rich heaths of southern England. They feed exclusively on small invertebrates, however, which will be killed off if the frosts persist. Last night the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was launching a mercy mission to save the tiny warbler by putting out worms. Cetti’s warbler, whose song inspired Mozart to write Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, also faces an uncertain future if it cannot find insect food in wetland fringes. The RSPB is also organising emergency feeding of threatened birds including the cirl bunting and bittern. It also urged the public not to disturb flocks of ducks, geese, swans and wading birds because it could force them to expend energy they cannot replace, pushing them to the brink. Other birds, meanwhile, are fleeing the countryside. Snipe, woodcock, grey herons and grey wagtails are flocking to suburban gardens. The RSPB urged bird-lovers to put out fresh water and food for garden birds, which include many at-risk species such as the house sparrow. Conservation director Dr Mark Avery said: “The winter of 1963 was the single event to have the greatest impact on Britain’s wildlife. With the icy weather predicted to last another week, this winter could be the single greatest killer of the new millennium.â€

Closing date now extended to Wednesday 13th January .

You may have seen or heard about the damage caused to San Anton, Villamartin in the Andalucia region of Spain on Christmas Eve. A tornado swept through the area in the early hours, leaving the shelter with structural damage and devoid of electricity and a mains water supply. The dogs living here, including many galgos, now have no protection from the elements. They are now exposed to brutal weather conditions. This shelter looks after up to 200 dogs at any one time. At this time, it is uncertain what can be salvaged or what needs to be renewed, but funds are desperately needed. Sighthound Welfare Trust would like to send San Anton a grant to assist in helping the shelter repairs. We are appealing to our supporters to help us send as much as possible to aid San Anton with their task of repairing the shelter and providing a safe, secure place for all the dogs desperately needing San Anton’s help. SWT forum for payment details. This appeal is only running until Wednesday, 6th January 2010.

SWT has a fabulous photo competition to kickstart our fundraising for the New Year We have 4 categories Main ones are: 1.Best unwrapper here 2.Most uninterested in presents here 3.Dog most full of Christmas fodder here Enty 1 pound per photo Extra category is 4.Winter Wonderland here Free for all members of SWT and very special secret prize to winner Our special judge will be the wonderful Maria Daines. Closing date 10th January 2010 You will need to be a member of the forum to enter.

Every good wish for Nog in this next round of treatment. He really deserves to be running free by the summer .

07.12.09 Despite an overwhelming response from the public to the recent Greyhound Welfare Consultation, calling for a ban on betting or at the very least statutory regulation, Defra are proposing the government afford the racing industry – who do not enforce the Animal Welfare Act - the continued freedom to self regulate GBGB tracks and the Local Authorities to license independent tracks. However, according to LACORS - the government body that coordinates Local Authorities in England - the proposed regulations do not contain any offence, inviting track owners to break the law and leaving councils with no powers to prosecute them. As a consequence racing greyhounds will continue to receive NO protection under the Animal Welfare Act – on or off the tracks. These proposed regulations will ensure the protection of one thing only – the millions of pounds profits amassed by the gambling industry and the revenue generated for the government – through the betting on greyhounds. Please click here to read the full article, with statements from LACORS, Dogs Trust and BBC video reports. http://www.greytexploitations.com/resources-and-reports/proposed-welfare-regulations-unenforceable-and-worthless HOW YOU CAN HELP It is vitally important that these regulations are withdrawn – please click here to sign the petition - ‘Help Greyhounds’ http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/helpgreyhounds/?showall=1 Please also let the government know your strength of feeling on commercial greyhound racing – click here to sign the petition ‘Dog Racing Ban on Betting’ http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Dogracingbetban/?showall=1 Please email your MP Contact details can be found here http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/ Request these worthless and fundamentally flawed regulations - which will only serve to protect the gambling industry’s profits and assist them to propagate a ‘well regulated industry with high standards of welfare’ - are withdrawn immediately. Racing greyhounds will continue to receive NO protection under the Animal Welfare Act. Please enclose these links to the LACORS Press Release and the BBC Frontline video http://www.greytexploitations.com/images/LACORS_PRESS_RELEASE.pdf As always - many thanks for your support, care and compassion for the greyhounds www.greytexploitations.com

Thank you to everyone who participated in Alan's mini bandana auction, which raised £96 (SWT is making it up to £100) for Castleon Kennels in Essex, which is were Alan was re-homed from .

What the Local Authority chief thinks of the DEFRA regulations - we are not alone! Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services - Greyhound regulations do nothing to protect dog welfare Wed, 25 November 2009 | Campaign Organisation Press Release Summary Council leaders have warned that new proposals to regulate greyhound racing and protect the welfare of dogs mean nothing. The new legislation to be issued by DEFRA requires councils to issue licenses for greyhound tracks to operate. It does not, however, contain any offences, inviting track owners to break the law and leaving councils with no powers to prosecute them. Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) Chair, Cllr Paul Bettison, said: 'The proposals need an urgent rethink. Right now, they are not worth the paper they are written on if councils remain powerless to prosecute those putting greyhounds at risk. Councils will find it almost impossible to stop rogue tracks from operating and won’t be able to take track owners to court if they ignore the law. More thought must also be given to those dogs that are no longer able to race. We are a nation of dog lovers and I think the public would be outraged if these hard working dogs were not protected. They have, after all, probably earned a lot of people a lot of money.' Contents New proposals to regulate greyhound racing and protect the dogs’ welfare mean nothing, council leaders warned today. The new legislation to be issued by DEFRA requires councils to issue licenses for greyhound tracks to operate. It does not, however, contain any offences, inviting track owners to break the law and leaving councils with no powers to prosecute them. Cllr Paul Bettison, chairman of LACORS, which represents council licensing and animal welfare teams, said: “The proposals need an urgent rethink. Right now, they are not worth the paper they are written on if councils remain powerless to prosecute those putting greyhounds at risk. Councils will find it almost impossible to stop rogue tracks from operating and won’t be able to take track owners to court if they ignore the law. “More thought must also be given to those dogs that are no longer able to race. We are a nation of dog lovers and I think the public would be outraged if these hard working dogs were not protected. They have, after all, probably earned a lot of people a lot of moneyâ€. There are currently 34 greyhound racing tracks across England. The new licensing regime means that councils will regulate six of them. The remaining 28 are already members of the industry body, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Cllr Bettison continued: “Racing dogs spend an enormous amount of their time in training kennels, but the regulation of these is not even included. Councils along with everyone else are facing tough financial times, and wasting public money on introducing a meaningless licensing regime is scandalous. Money could be far better spent on modernising legislation covering dog breeding and pet sales, where out-of-date rules are a nightmare for councils and causes puppies and other pets to suffer." Claire Robinson, the RSPCA's government relations manager, agrees: “Councils play a key role in enforcing animal welfare laws and we’re disappointed that Government has not listened to them when they say they will not be able to enforce the proposed regulations. “The RSPCA is concerned that the proposed regulations could be a missed opportunity for greyhounds in ensuring better protection overall. While the improvements for tracks are welcomed the fact that there are no specific provisions for kennels where they spend most of their time is a real disappointmentâ€.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/helpgreyhounds/ As you may be aware the recent Green Paper to give greyhounds welfare protection, failed dismally to do just that, save for some minor changes when greyhounds are at the tracks. Please sign this petition to give a clear message that we want all encompassing welfare protections for greyhounds.

SWT is holding an additional 'mini auction' - of Christmas doggy bandanas - for five days beginning on Tuesday 1st Dec at 7pm and finishing Sunday 6th Dec at 9pm. It is called Alan's Christmas Auction as the money raised will go to Castledon Rescue in Essex that has taken responsibility for rehoming Alan twice both at the age of 3 and 10 1/2. Jodie and Sandra and all at Castledon do such a great job and this is such a worthy cause so please pop by and help Alan help other hounds that this Christmas have yet to find their forever homes. The auction will be held on the charity forums at http://www.sighthounds.org.uk/forums - so if you want some pretty Christmas bandanas for your hounds, drop in and take a look. Made by Kirsty, they are hand finished, each with a small bell Supplies are limited

So sorry to read this . Bertie looks magnificent . I hope he keeps well for as long as possible.

Please do!

ANIMAL welfare groups face having to find homes for up to 50 dogs following the closure of Swansea's greyhound track at the weekend. Fears that dozens of dogs could be abandoned at the Fforestfach stadium after its last race on Saturday night proved unfounded. But, even so, groups working together to ensure a happy outcome for the animals have said there is a lot of work to be done. Penny Hard from Greyhound Rescue Wales, one of the six organisations involved, said: "We took two dogs away from the stadium. "One of them was given to us by its owner on the night, but the other was left there after we had gone. "We were told about it and have since been back to collect it. "However, a number of responsible owners have also arranged to hand their dogs over to us in the coming two to three weeks." Swansea Greyhound Stadium has been forced to close after organisers failed to secure a long term-lease for the site with council bosses. Animal welfare groups launched Operation Greyhound with the aim of putting the dogs in new homes. The Dogs Trust, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Greyhound Welfare, RSPCA Cymru, RSPCA Llys Nini and Swiss Valley Greyhound Rescue are working together alongside the stadium and the council. They have brought in 30 emergency kennels, with Morrisons providing a stockpile of food. Sixteen greyhounds were rescued before Saturday night's operation. Mrs Harding said in total the organisations expected to take in between 30 and 50 dogs over the next few weeks. "We will be assessing them before finding them suitable new homes because we have a policy of non-destruction,'' she added. "What we will have no way of knowing is how many dogs will be unaccounted for. It's a very sad and worrying situation." Article

Great to read that Nog is slowly but surely healing .

As anticipated and following last weeks prosecution for offences under the Animal Welfare Act, Swansea Greyhound Stadium announced today, they will be holding their last race meeting this Saturday November 7th. Whilst it is always good news to hear of dog tracks closing – it is vitally important to ensure the welfare of the estimated 100 redundant greyhounds that will now need to be re-homed. Unlike Walthamstow and Reading - which were forced to close last year - Swansea is an independent track and will receive no financial help through the Retired Greyhound Trust or from the betting industry, which without doubt , some of these dogs will have generated thousands of pounds profits for, whilst racing on licensed tracks. Greyhound Rescue Wales, together with five independent welfare groups have formed a task force called ‘Operation Greyhound’ to finance and co-ordinate the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of these dogs - now surplus to requirements. Please click here to read Greyhound Rescue Wales’ Press Release and for details of how you can help. http://www.greytexploitations.com/how-you-can-help/more-greyt-campaigns Many thanks in anticipation of any support you can offer www.greytexploitations.com