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Irish Independent June 3rd, 2009 Mutilated remains of greyhounds dumped at popular pier The carcasses of three dead greyhounds have been dumped at one of the most popular bathing areas in the Mid-West... Full article at http://tinyurl.com/IrishIndependentJune032009 More info about about the campaign against greyhound racing and coursing in Ireland can be found at http://www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/iIreland.html Please feel free to forward/crosspost/circulate this message. _______________________________________________ Website: www.greyhoundaction.org.uk MySpace: www.myspace.com/greyhoundaction Donations: www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/donations.html

Kennel Hand Breaks Silence on What’s Happening to Dogs June 3, 2009 by Freelance Writers Kennel Hand Speaks Out as the ‘Greyhound’s Voice’: A kennel hand has spoken out in sheer frustration and has published his video diaries and photographs, cataloguing the appalling level of greyhound welfare deemed acceptable by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. The trainer’s refusal to accept his offers of help and the indifference shown to a series of complaints he made to officials regarding breaches of Racing Rules, eventually broke his silence. Neil Haine, 40 from North Dorset, contacted Greyt Exploitations - a greyhound protection group - after the complaints he lodged with his Area Steward, Colin Betteridge, regarding greyhounds being kennelled in their own excrement and urine soaked beds for three days at a time, without fresh water or any form of exercise - were ignored. Eve Blanchard, a professional trainer attached to Poole stadium, employed Mr Haine from November 2008 until his departure on May 26th, where he felt he could no longer endure the conditions suffered by the 36 greyhounds at the kennels. Mr Haine said “I asked Colin Betteridge to come and witness the disgusting conditions of the kennels I faced every Tuesday morning but when he arrived with a GBGB official, Noel Thompson, it was after 1pm. Colin was fully aware I finished at 1pm and therefore knew the kennels would be clean by this time. Regardless, I pleaded with Colin to do ’something’ but he insisted ‘kennels only need to be cleaned when deemed necessary’ - even if it meant breaking the rules†“In an effort to try and help Mrs Blanchard reduce her kennel to a more manageable size, I spoke to a trainer Mrs Blanchard trusted, about her reluctance to re-home her retired dogs. Although it confirmed rumours, I was still shocked when the trainer told me ‘just give them sleeping tablets, 2 should do the job’ and then bury them in her garden with the other 17 greyhounds†Mr Haine continued “The more I tried to help, the more abusive and obstructive Mrs Blanchard became. She stopped me cleaning the kennels, voluntarily, from Saturday lunchtime until the following Tuesday morning and even stopped me from exercising the dogs, racing or retired. It was heartbreaking going into work on Tuesday mornings, seeing the filth the dogs had been locked up in all weekend. The squalor and the stench never failed to bring tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat†“Mrs Blanchard refused to pay for the costly disposal of the old bedding and dog dirt, getting rid of it was becoming a problem and so the amount of waste had to be reduced. When I refused to just add a handful of clean bedding on top of the wet bedding, she then told me she wasn’t getting any more bedding and if I didn’t do as I was told, the dogs would have to sleep on bare boards. This was the final straw and with my wife’s support I knew we had to get help and quickly!†In a heartfelt plea, Sue Haine concluded “You all need to stand united against this despicable treatment of these beautiful creatures. The GBGB are killing the sport by ignoring this terrible abuse. Please be a voice for the greyhounds!! Mrs Blanchard’s kennels were under the spotlight earlier this year when an undercover video of the kennels was posted on the internet and as a consequence the RSPCA were called in. In January, Inspector Ken Snook, ordered a number of major structural improvements to be made. However, we spoke to Mr Snook on Monday last and he confirmed he had not been back to ensure those improvements had been carried out, preferring to phone the Greyhound Board of Great Britain and seek assurances from the very racing officials who had earlier dismissed the kennel hands concerns. A spokesperson for Greyt Exploitations said “It is abundantly clear these greyhounds were needlessly suffering and the responsibility lay with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, in failing to enforce an Improvement Notice issued to Mrs Blanchard last November and have since consistently failed to secure the welfare needs of these innocent dogs. The welfare of animals will always be compromised where there is a profit to be made and we are appealing to the public to refrain from supporting or betting on Greyhound Racing until such a time as the commercial element is removedâ€. http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/2635/k...pening-to-dogs/

Sleep gently beautiful boy . I'm so sorry Billy .

So sorry Billy . Mal was an inspiration to us all . Sleep quietly sweetheart .

Doors open tomorrow at 7pm .

Dates for your diary 28th May - 4th June 2009. As many of you know the fate of thousands of galgos every year is an appalling death, or the lucky ones find rescue places and hope for a home. All the shelters are inundated at present and need help and financial support more than ever. If you can help by donating anything, please email me [email protected]. You can help also by bidding and winning other goodies. It's fun and enjoyed by everyone! All proceeds will be granted to Pro Galgos to aid Mo's vital work with the beautiful galgos and podencos .

A greyhound has been found mutilated, covered in blood and mud on a grass verge in Bedlington, Northumberland – less than three miles from Cambois dog track. His ears had been hacked off with a sharp implement and had electricians tape on his legs and back. Staff at the vets where he is now recovering have named him ‘Dougie’. Please click here to read the full article and watch the televised news report. http://greytexploitations.com/latest-news

PETA Press Release: Yate, Bristol - In what is believed to have been a horrific act of cruelty, a greyhound who was heavily pregnant with six puppies was apparently killed and dumped on wasteland in the village of Iron Acton near Yate recently. She was found on 14 February. Her ears had apparently been cut off in order to prevent the authorities from using her identification tattoos to trace the culprit. PETA is offering a reward of up to £1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this horrific crime. This disturbing incident follows reports about a spate of cruel attacks in the area, including two cat shootings and the killing of another dog who was also dumped. Bristol residents have good reason to be concerned about cruelty-to-animals cases such as these. There is ample evidence that serial rapists and murderers often have histories of past incidents involving cruelty to animals. Child-killers Mary Bell, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables as well as serial murderers Ian Huntley, Thomas Hamilton (Dunblane massacre), Fred West, Denis Nilsen, Ian Brady and Jeffrey Dahmer all started out by deliberately harming animals. PETA is urging residents to keep a watchful eye on their animal companions and to keep them indoors. Because animals cannot report their own abuse and can do little to fight back, they are the perfect "practice" victims for those who tend towards violence. "Animal abusers are cowards", says PETA spokesperson Suzanne Barnard. "They take their issues out on the most defenceless beings available to them." Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999. For more information about the link between cruelty to animals and violence to humans, or to find free humane education resources, please visit PETAF.org.uk Please click here to view the RSPCA press release - 11.03.09 - relating to this incident. http://greytexploitations.com/latest-news/news-march-2009

I'm so very sorry Sam . Winnie was a stunning hound . Sleep tight beautiful boy .

Both looking fabulous in the sunshine .

Sleep gently Charlie Foo Dog . Lots of to you and your family Melp for helping her to leave despite your broken hearts.

Fabulous photos Nettie. So pleased that Fluke has a home . Bertie is a beauty .

Can You Help in Hunt to Find Greyhound Cruelty Offenders? Posted: 12 Mar 2009 02:52 PM PDT Specially produced leaflets will be handed to greyhound trainers and members of the public attending the races asking them to come forward regarding the recent case of the pregnant greyhound found dumped near Bristol with her ears cut off. “This dog had distinctive markings and someone must know who she belonged to?†said Gina Harris, area co-ordinator for Avon & Somerset Greyhound Action. “There are not that many greyhound trainers left in the South West. We will be handing leaflets to people asking them to have a heart for this poor dog and come forward with any information. The person that killed & mutilated this dog needs to be prosecuted. The sad thing is that there are lots of animal rescue charities in this area and if the owner had bothered to make one phone call this dog & her pups would have been found a loving foster home.†This is not the first time that greyhounds have been killed and had their ears cut off to hide their racing tattoos. Owners do this so they cannot be traced and taken to court.†In 2004 a trainer from South Wales was prosecuted & sent to prison after being found guilty of cutting the ears off a greyhound called Rusty and leaving him for dead on a mountainside. We will have rescued greyhounds outside the track in the hope that this will pull a few heart strings. Swindon Greyhound track is the closest dog track to where the dead dog was found so we hope that people will support our search for the killer. For more information please contact Gina Harris of Avon & Somerset Greyhound Action on 07899 715216 or email [email protected] http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/2084/c...elty-offenders/

Greyhound dumped with ears cut off Yet more distressing news of a mutilated greyhound found on February 14th which had been dumped on wasteland near the village of Iron Acton. Iron Acton, on the outskirts of Bristol, is situated less than 30 miles from Swindon dog track – a licensed stadium. Not only had this poor greyhound’s ears been hacked off – to prevent the tracing of the last registered owner – the greyhound was heavily pregnant with six pups. The RSPCA are hoping someone will recognise the dog, who is black with white markings under her chin and a white blaze between her forelegs, as well as two white spots on her throat. RSPCA inspector John Atkinson said: This is a very distressing incident for all involved and we are investigating every possible avenue. If any member of the public saw people dumping the dog, or knows of a dog answering this description, I would urge them to contact the RSPCA at once. We would ask all supporters to highlight not only this disgusting crime but also the exploitation of racing of greyhounds by writing to the Bristol Evening Post [email protected] Please enclose a link to this video, which graphically depicts greyhounds who have been subjected to the same fate and also this video which epitomises the attitude of those involved in racing towards their greyhounds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAYRrj2PuKI To read the full article and leave your comments – please click here http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/homepage/Gr...il/article.html Thank you, as always for your continued support www.greytexploitations.com

*If you are particularly upset by reports of cruelty to animals, please do not read the article below** However, if you feel able to, please do so, and send your messages to the Irish Greyhound Board and local police. The Derry Journal article (together with a photo of the dead dog) can be found at http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Dog39s...-tip.5047262.jp Greyhound Action has written to the Derry Journal in response to this article, emphasising that the ultimate responsibility for such horrific incidents lies with the greyhound racing industry and that the public can help prevent the slaughter and suffering of greyhounds by not attending or betting on greyhound racing, so the industry fades away through lack of financial support. ----- Original Message ----- From: Greyhound Crusaders Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 10:01 AM Subject: Drowned greyhound found in River Foyle in Ireland-please take action now PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY TO ALL GROUPS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL Drowned greyhound found in River Foyle in Ireland In an ill-fated fight for survival the animal was able to force its hind legs' through the sack but was unable to escape. Please read the latest appalling article below This is a very bad week for greyhounds, a greyhound was recently found stabbed to death with a breadknife in Sunderland (UK) a greyhound was dumped in Sittingbourne and was involved in a road traffic accident (UK) and now this very serious case and these are just ones we know about we are sure there must be many more!! Please take action now. Justice must prevail We are therefore asking all our national and international supporters to write to the email addys below asking them what steps they are taking to find the greyhound killer, please ask them if they have the tattoo number to originate the previous owner of the greyhound and that you want the full weight of the law used against the person/s that perpetrated this heanus crime. Please keep all correspondence polite. [email protected] (greyhound welfare at Irish greyhound Board) [email protected] (local Police) Many thanks Greyhound Crusaders/SWAP team UK Dog's 'disgusting death the tip of the iceberg' Derry Journal- Ireland A dog carcass washed up along the bank of the River Foyle recently. Published Date: 06 March 2009 This "shocking and disgusting" picture reveals a dog trussed up in a potato sack which had been thrown in the River Foyle to die. The animal's carcass was then washed ashore in a quiet Derry suburb where it still lies on the riverbank. In an illfated fight for survival the animal was able to force its hind legs' through the sack but was unable to escape. This, according to Joanne Mullan, a volunteer at the Rainbow Animal Shelter who attended the scene, displays a level of animal cruelty described as 'the tip of an iceberg in the North West'. Remarkably the pictures were taken by Ms. Mullan while investigating a totally separate case of animal cruelty on the Bay Road Industrial Estate. Having first received a call concerning a cat trapped in a hamster cage, Ms. Mullan found: "to my horror, the cats back legs were badly injured before the animal was caged and abandoned in the middle of the Bay Road." There was nothing anyone could do and a veterinarian was called who had no choice but to put the animal to sleep. It is believed the cat was a household pet. "This is something I have never seen in my life before," said Joanne who has worked at the animal shelter for the last ten years. It was while attending to the cat that a passer by informed her of the dead dog on the riverbank. "It was a horrible day and it was clear that this dog was still alive when dumped in the river, as it pushed its legs through the sack. Although badly decomposed I believe it to be a greyhound carcass. "This animal died a horrific horrendous death. This is totally inexcusable and absolutely disgusting but probably is just the tip of the iceberg." _______________________________________________ Website: www.greyhoundaction.org.uk MySpace: www.myspace.com/greyhoundaction Donations: www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/donations.html

That's such good news

WINNING WORDS IN THE WORKPLACE! Funds urgently needed for important new campaign About two years ago Greyhound Action launched our Winning Words! campaign, to educate ordinary people who are going for "a night at the dogs" and to persuade them not to do so or, at least, never to do so again. The main idea of the campaign was for our leaflets to be distributed as often as possible to people going into major greyhound tracks on race-nights. For most of the major tracks, profit margins are so narrow that a drop of just a few percent in attendances would see them go to the wall - and fewer tracks means fewer races, means fewer greyhounds bred, means fewer discarded and put to death. Due to a massive reduction in hardcore dog-race enthusiasts in recent years, the racing industry is increasingly relying on the attendance of ordinary members of the public to keep the tracks open. But most ordinary people in this country are fond of dogs and would not support greyhound racing, if they were aware of the slaughter and suffering that it involves. Winning Words! has turned out to be a great success and, especially where leafleting/demos have taken place on a regular basis, huge problems have been caused to the racing industry. Since the campaign began, the track at Coventry Stadium has been driven to the edge of extinction, Wimbledon has suffered big economic problems, several tracks have cut race-nights due to financial losses, and Reading and Walthamstow (Britain’s most prestigious track) have closed. Latest figures from the greyhound racing industry show a big decline in attendances, despite £millions being spent on advertising, aimed at persuading people to have “a night at the dogsâ€. Greyhound Action supporters have noticed that a considerable number of people attending greyhound tracks do so as part of social nights out organized by their workplace or sports club. For this reason, we are keen to launch an extension to the Winning Words! campaign, called Winning Words in the Workplace (WWW). The idea of WWW is for info packs, consisting of some of our leaflets, together with a covering letter (addressed “to the Social Events Organizerâ€), to be delivered to all businesses and sports and social clubs within the catchment area of greyhound tracks, asking them to please not organize any nights at the dogs. This is something that many of our supporters, up and down the country, could do and it is bound to have a devastating effect on the greyhound racing industry. In fact, we think it’ll be the most effective of all our campaigns so far. The only problem is, in order to launch WWW, we need money, which we haven’t got. Greyhound Action is a voluntary organization, operating on a shoestring budget, and our resources are already stretched to the limit with our current campaigns. For the initial launch of Winning Words in the Workplace, we estimate we’ll need about £3,000 to cover printing and postage costs for the first 20,000 info packs. We've already raised about £1,000 of this, but urgently need the rest, so we can get this important campaign off the ground this Spring. Please, please, help with a donation. Your contribution, however small, could play a vital part in the destruction of the greyhound racing industry and the saving of many thousands of dogs from suffering and slaughter. If you would like to donate to Greyhound Action, please go to http://www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/donations.html for full details, including how to donate on-line. Please feel free to forward/crosspost/circulate this message. _______________________________________________ Website: www.greyhoundaction.org.uk MySpace: www.myspace.com/greyhoundaction Donations: www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/donations.html

Today is the first anniversary of that fateful day when Fin’s life changed forever. We had no idea how his stroke at five and a half years old would completely change everything for him and us. The early days were a nightmare as we struggled to learn how to cope with his needs. He piddled on the carpet when doing his exercises because the movement was expressing his bladder (not his fault!), he desperately tried to follow the girls when they had their walks and wistfully watched them trot off. No longer the leader in dashes across the fields urging the girls to chase him while he zigzagged to avoid their playful jaws, we gloomily worried how he would adjust to a lifestyle where walking from room to room took enormous guts and willpower. Gradually one back leg responded to the hours of physiotherapy needed to stimulate nerve repair and each new tiny milestone gave us hope and assurance we had made the right decision to give him a chance. He adored hydrotherapy as a natural water baby and we received the wonderful news that his weakest leg was working well in the pool. He began walking more and further each week and we spent a fortune road testing different footwear for his weak leg. His determination to join the girls off-lead was always his goal and ours for him. Throughout the summer he enjoyed daily walks with them and scooting about and rolling in the grass and trying to keep up with them caused us a few heart stopping moments, but we agreed that if that was what he wanted to do, we would let him. He fell over all the time, but dragged himself up and tried again and again. What magnificent spirit! When we think he has made all the improvements he can, he gives us a wonderful surprise. Monday, just two days ago I came out on their walk for the first time in ages and Fin galloped about for a while, then I called him and he bounded over and jumped up on his back legs to kiss my face. Another first for my boy and I could have cried. His back feet are always scraped, his weak foot covered in bandaging more often than not. He’s lost about 4 kilos in weight, but gained the appetite of a horse. He can now jump on any beds or sofas at will and has become a nightmare with most other dogs. He steals food at any and all opportunities and comes for cuddles and attention much more these days. His will to live life has been a force compelling him to keep going and enjoy life and we wouldn’t want to ever deny him that. We all love our grumpy, loving, spirited boy and hope we have lots more years together. With Dan and Izz in the recent snow Running to Dan Having a love With Soph, Molly and Izz Sniffing out the snowperson wrecker

Thanks to everyone who donated to our appeal. Because of your generosity, we have been able to send a cheque to cover 155 coats to be made for the galgos! Absolutely brilliant .

We have received video footage of a professional trainer’s kennel, which as you will see, shows the disgusting squalor greyhounds can be subjected to. The accompanying statements obtained from the trainer and area steward epitomises the attitude of those involved in greyhound racing – above the laws of this land with little or no compassion for their animals or regard for the environment. It is disgraceful for a highly profitable gambling industry to be afforded the freedom to regulate itself – incompetently - by this government. We are asking all animal lovers to write to their MP’s requesting the licensing of racing kennels be undertaken by those who presently license commercial boarding kennels – the local authorities. To view this Action Alert in full and the video with the accompanying statements – please click here http://www.greytexploitations.com/how-you-...rrent-campaigns As always many thanks for your valuable time and support. www.greytexploitations.com

Outrage as Healthy Dogs are Put to Sleep Posted: 14 Jan 2009 04:53 PM CST Local greyhound rescue workers have expressed shock and outrage after a trainer who races dogs at the Henlow track had four healthy greyhounds “put to sleep†by a Hitchin vet. Joanne Page, who trains greyhounds at kennels near Sandy, took the ex-racers to be “put down†at Berry House Vets in Hitchin last Wednesday. Her actions caused shock and outrage throughout the local branch of Greyhound Rescue West of England, after one of their volunteers, who was in the vets at the time, tried in vain to save the dogs. An international greyhound protection group, Greyhound Action, has also expressed dismay. The group’s UK co-ordinator, Tony Peters, said: “We first heard about the tragic deaths of these four dogs through an on-line greyhound forum and subsequently made enquiries to confirm what had happened. “What is particularly tragic in this case is that the greyhounds could have been saved by local rescue workers, had the trainer in question approached them, instead of just taking the dogs to be ‘put down’. “Although we are dismayed at the putting to death of these greyhounds, we are not particularly surprised, as the killing of ex-racing dogs is still quite common, despite the existence of dedicated groups of people that try to save them. “According to our research, at least 2,000 ex-racers are put to death annually in Britain, in addition to the 15,000 young greyhounds killed every year in the UK and Ireland after failing to come up to the required standard to run on British tracks. “It is this appalling death toll that has led us to call on the public not to attend or bet on greyhound racing, so that it comes to a end through lack of financial support. “In this case, however, the lives of these particular greyhounds could easily have been saved, which is why we believe the trainer in question should be banned from racing for what she has done.†For more information, contact Tony Peters on 01562 700 043 or 07703 558724. See also the Greyhound Action website at www.greyhoundaction.org.uk A photo taken at a demonstration by local Greyhound Action supporters outside Henlow Stadium can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/HenlowDemo and downloaded (right click on picture) for use, free of charge. http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/1725/o...e-put-to-sleep/

An Irish three year old female greyhound - Rathtooterny Zip – is the latest casualty at Peterborough Stadium on the penultimate day of the 2008 racing calendar. This brings the total of greyhounds who have sustained injuries and euthanased on economic grounds – which we know of – at Peterborough to six and all within the last nine months. Although Rathtooterny Zip’s racing career lasted a full 12 months, her only surviving litter mate – Lowlow Lady – raced just twice, finishing last in both races. Born in a country where over 13,600 greyhound puppies were 'unaccounted ' for in 2007 – too slow or wouldn’t chase - Lowlow Lady’s failure ‘to make the grade’ will have undoubtedly sealed her fate, long before her sister was eventually raced to her death. To read the full article and comment please click here http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/1642/a...reyhound-track/