Abigailj

Just the thought of these makes me go all queasy I mean't moon cups.. but I just read back a bit and now I really do feel sick *runs out of thread*

I haaaaaaate photobucket. I haaaaaate it. I only want to post name the dog. I want it to happen in 2006. 7th attempt to post photo about to commence ffs

And I'm not going to help them by sending them info so they can see what 'antis' have to say, and then fashion some counter argument.

I won't be writing to them with my opinions. If I have info I will send it directly to the APGAW group. Are they going to tell us all what they will be submitting to APGAW? I dont think so

Short and to the point. Excellent.

<-----------------Tomorrow I meet

I am peeing my pants.

Hello I've been asked to post an update for everyone... Remember when the original article was published in the Sunday Times there was an overwhelming demand for some kind of event to take place. There was an excellent response from both rescues and individuals. The organisers continue to receive support from more interested parties. It may seem as if all has gone quiet where this is concerned but I am sure everyone will appreciate that these things take time to organise safely. Behind the scenes some people have been extremely busy ( ) and several important arrangements have now been put in place. Further information, including the date and location of the event will be announced shortly so please keep a look out. To make the necessary impact a very large group of people will be required. Hopefully all those who care about greyhounds and expressed an interest in attending this event will come and be a part of it. Together everyone can show their support for the greyhounds and draw yet more attention to the abuse that these beautiful dogs must suffer.

I know one from a Midlands track does too.

Was that you?

You let go of that tree yet?

Know exactly what you mean cos I used to have to spend weekends selling those

What letter?

I imagine the press will be contacted with a write up of the event, including main info/details. Sometimes press can't be bothered to travel to see an event but they will print an article about it a few days later if the organisers send them a write up. Then all press have to do is phone people for comments and re word it etc.. give it a few days

Good luck to everyone who is going to this! I won't be there as I will be at other end of the country. Hope it goes well.

Appee Burfday GDog Mayte Owpe yew iz keepin wel att thee bridj. Yoor owld frend Roar-ee

Gud choyce ov koat Veenar. Eye haff wun ov thee sayme coww patturn kumink ear tew mye owse unall. Eye iz ay Galgar tew yew no. Eye wozunt shyy lyke yew. Eye wuz noysee an eye lyked tew eet thee howse - sum partz wuz kwyte taystee, mowstlee thee warlpapur. Eye owpez yew lykez yoor coww koat. Mownar x

Deer Veenar Ellow mye nayme iz Roar-ee. Eye ham enjoyink reedink yooor diureee, an eye ham purtiklarly himprezzed wiv yoor abiliteee tew produwce hooge pooo'z an mulipul pooo'z unall! Wunce eye didd thee bigist eva pooo inn wun peace. Itt waz howtsyde thee vetz. Hunforchewnutlee eye wuz sew hecksytid bowt itt thatt eye forgott tew arsk mye muver tew obtayn phowtografic hevidunce ov mye acheevmunt. Nevarmind. Wel eye owpez yew kontinuez tew haff ay gud tyme inn yoor nu owme. Sum yooomanz iz realee kwite nyce yew no Roar-ee

Still missing

That is what disgusted me the most about this letter. I know they make 70 million a year out of it so expecting them to be impartial is perhaps a bit naive of me, but I don't expect them to respond with the kind of fluff that would be plastered on a BGRB leaflet/website. They should be listening to, and answering our concerns, not defending the racing industry. The me the end paragraph reads as if they don't want the hassle of regulating it, (and they seem to be sucked into thinking that the flapping tracks are the problem).

Any thoughts?

It was Magic that got the reply. She posted it HERE and I have pasted it below. Someone else has since received the same reply. What do people think about it??? Thank you for your email of 18 July 2006 to Ben Bradshaw about greyhound racing. I have been asked to reply. I can assure you that we share your concerns on the allegations in the press of the killing of a large number of retired racing greyhounds. Government Ministers have called upon the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) – the organisation which sets and administers welfare standards for those tracks and owners/trainers who race under NGRC rules - to investigate the allegations made in the press. The Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) - an all-party parliamentary group made up of MPs, Peers and associate animal welfare organisations – has also launched its own investigation into the allegations. We welcome this enquiry and will certainly wish to consider any recommendations APGAW makes. Until such time as further evidence is produced, we are unable to comment on whether any offences have been committed in the case mentioned in the press. On the issue of the number of greyhounds retiring from racing each year, there is very little reliable evidence on the fate of greyhounds on retirement. Although, of course, the welfare of greyhounds during and after their racing career is ultimately the responsibility of the owners and trainers themselves. However, welfare organisations and the racing industry have worked together in recent years in an effort to improve the number of retired greyhounds who are re-homed. The racing industry has increased considerably the financial support that it provides for the welfare of retired greyhounds. Funding for greyhound welfare is channelled through the British Greyhound Fund, which is funded by the industry, including the betting industry. In 2005 grants relating to welfare totalled £2.5m, including £1.3m to the Retired Greyhound Trust (RGT). In 2000, funding from the industry for the RGT was £240,000. There are now more than 60 RGT Branches from Jersey to the Isle of Skye. The British Greyhound Racing Board is also working with other canine welfare organisations to examine what is happening to retired greyhounds and is committed to addressing any problems identified. All of its publicity material informs prospective greyhound owners that they are responsible for the proper provision of their greyhound in retirement. A Welfare Executive employed by the NGRC works with the RGT by helping to enforce it welfare rules – especially by stressing to owners their primary responsibility in finding homes for their retired greyhounds. Under NGRC rules those dogs that cannot be re-homed have to be humanely destroyed by a veterinary surgeon. It is already an offence under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 to destroy an animal in a manner that will cause it unnecessary suffering. In addition, the Animal Welfare Bill, currently before Parliament, will introduce an offence of failing to provide for the welfare needs of an animal. This will apply to owners and keepers of all animals, including racing, and retired, greyhounds. The Bill also provides powers to introduce secondary legislation to regulate animal related activities. We are considering making specific regulations under the Animal Welfare Bill in relation to the welfare of racing greyhounds. Defra has set up a working group to examine the issue of greyhound welfare. The group has been asked to offer advice to Ministers and officials in the drafting of regulations to improve greyhound welfare. Members of the group include representatives of welfare organisations, the racing industry, local authorities, the devolved administrations and Defra. While this group has yet to make any recommendations - our preference is that whenever possible welfare standards should be regulated by the industry. Although we recognise that industry self-regulation may not be an option for those tracks that are not operating under the aegis of the NGRC, I can assure you that we would not recommend any system of self-regulation unless it can be commended to parliament as a system that is open and auditable, with the standards set and the effectiveness of the enforcers monitored by central Government. This is a key issue and clearly one which the working group will want to address in its recommendations. There will also be a full public consultation on our proposals before approval by parliament. I hope this letter addresses your concerns. Yours sincerely Michael Akano Customer Contact Unit

Maybe there was never really going to be a second competition?

I'm sure someone here had a reply a few days back and posted it - but I can't remember who it was now.

Person who spoke to the reporter has now said that the original comp went ahead because it was too late to pull it, but they were planning on running another one and changed their minds about it. So not quite the success we first thought.