greyhound pal

Sorry but I think this is unfair. What an individual chooses to do in their own name is up to them and I think its irrelevant where they choose to post. I am aware of the politics involved with both boards and have no wish to be involved in any way or form. My choice to keep way out of it. But I really dont' like threads like this because they just become another form of what the thread is accusing the other board of doing. Completely agree.

Meg was rescued from flapping kennels in the Borders last June. She went into her foster home but due to the neglect she suffered while racing, she had various health issues which her fosterers had to work with to nurse her back to health. She is now fully recovered however her fosterers feel that they lack the time Meg needs. She is a very small black greyhound bitch who may be best suited to being rehomed with breeds other than greyhounds and she particularly appears to like staffies! Her fosterer has put together some information about Meg posted at the end of this email and any potential home will require full home check and follow ups. While we'd prefer to see Meg homed in Scotland, anywhere considered if its the right home for her. Email: [email protected] Tel: 07092 033640 http://www.greyhoundactionscotland.org.uk Meg, 3yrs Black & white Bitch spayed, inoc, wormed, flea treatment. Mostly housetrained, occasional accident if left more than 4 hrs. occasional chews - due to our lack of time travels well no recall complete food diet likes male dogs doesn't seem bothered by cats Meg is very easy to live with and not a demanding dog to have around, she is a quiet bitch, loves attention and would benefit from more human contact than the couple of hours she gets from us in the evening.

ETA: Just found you can actually watch Loose Change 2 on internet for anyone who is interested: http://www.loosechange911.com/lc2.shtml

I've been watching a few 9/11 films over the last few days. I've just finished watching one called 'Loose Change' which explains why 9/11 could not have been a terrorist attack and gives a few reasons on why it would have been in the American governments best interests. Its too long and involved to go into in depth but the planes flying into the twin towers "allegedly" scientifically couldn't have made the buildings collapse - they believe explosions through bombs planted inside caused this. The Pentagon could not "allegedly" have been hit by a plane. And flight 93 which was the last plane brought down in Pennysylvania, there was apparently no sign of any bodies or indeed a plane which they believe landed at another US airport two hours before it was 'found' in Pennysylvania They also showed 9 of the named hijackers were later found alive in various parts of the world. Here is one of the websites at the end of the film for anyone who wants to read more: http://www.911proof.com/ The film raises several plausible reasons and although I usually take these things with a pinch of salt, I was wondering if anyone else has seen it and what they think?

WEll said Marie - I about fell off my chair when I read that press article! Greyhounds an endangered breed? If only!

Well said Ian. Can't wait to hear the response you get...!

Meadowbank may not have been a go-er but I suspect this one might have a chance... Apologies for the rush to get this out. Please see article below from today's Evening News. The only contact I can find for Livingston FC is: [email protected] - if anyone can find any others please let me know! West Lothian Council is the Local Authority and if anyone has a list of contacts please can you pass them on so I can email out? And don't forget to post your comments on the News site as well as write to the editor. Thanks http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/scotland...s-to.3855246.jp Plans to bring greyhounds to Livingston get ruff reception ON THE RIGHT TRACK: Powderhall racing owner Eddie Ramsay may buy Livingston FC By MARK McLAUGHLIN LIVINGSTON FC bosses said they are yet to be convinced by an ambitious proposal to build a dogtrack at Almondvale Stadium. It was reported today that Livingston owner Pearse Flynn is in talks to sell the First Division club in a £600,000 deal, and may sell to former Powderhall racing owner Eddie Ramsay. However, he added that the club was still "a long way from completing a deal", while club chief executive Vivien Kyles said that proposals to introduce dog racing alongside football at the ground "doesn't seem logistically possible." She added: "We currently have 10,000 seats but we only need 6000 to remain SPL compliant, but even with the reduced capacity I cannot see how you can fit a dog track around the football pitch. "The fact of the matter is that dog tracks are oval whereas the pitch is a rectangle. I just don't see how it will work." The ground is being leased to the club by owner West Lothian Council, and the club currently owes one year's rent totalling £150,000. Ms Kyle said reports that the club was in debt to the council to the tune of £300,000 were "totally incorrect" Until Mr Ramsey has presented a formal plan of how he intends to achieve to the dog track plan Ms Kyle said she will remain unconvinced. The club has been approached by two other investors, and has also been in talks with the council over its own plans for the ground. Ms Kyle added: "We have been in talks with the council about a project that could be much bigger than a dog track, but I am not prepared to say any more on this at the present time." The council said that it is prepared to consider any proposal for Almondvale which protects the stadium, Livingston Football Club and enhances a sustainable future for both. However, the council would not be drawn into any further discussion on the club's other proposals for the ground. A spokesman said: "We cannot disclose details of private, commercial matters. We are in regular contact with the club working towards the continuing success of professional football in West Lothian." Plans for a new greyhound track in the Lothians have faltered in recent years. Accountant and property developer Howard Wallace began erecting a grandstand in Wallyford in 1998 but plans stalled and the ground remains unfinished. A further bid to bring greyhound racing to Meadowbank Stadium also fell flat in February this year, after Edinburgh City Council's sports leader, Deidre Brock, declared it was a "non-starter". Mr Ramsay has been looking for a new home for dog racing since the closure of Powderhall Stadium in 1995. He said: "Football and greyhound racing can work hand in hand. "Engineers and architects are confident the stadium can accommodate both sports. It's never easy to pull all the strands together but we're moving as quickly as possible in a bid to complete the deal." The full article contains 505 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper. Last Updated: 07 March 2008 12:40 PM http://www.greyhoundactionscotland.org.uk

Fab Ian! It should be somewhere in the Animal Welfare Bill as it was in the consultation document. Best bet woudl be Advocates for Animals for advice on that

I didn't think fur farming was illegal as such? Isn't it one of those cases where you'd need to prove cruelty? Bit worrying that there are those who know more but won't speak out - same old story though. Any chance they would either speak with john or a journalist?

Email from Animal Concern this morning: E-MAIL FROM: John F. Robins, Secretary, Animal Concern Advice Line, c/o Animal Concern, P.O. Box 5178, Dumbarton G82 5YJ. Tel 01389-841111., Mobile: 07721-605521. Fax: 0870-7060327. Animal Concern Advice Line is a recognised Scottish Charity: No. SC030982 E-MAIL: [email protected] Website: http://adviceaboutanimals.info Dear All, A great number of people have contacted me regarding the article which appeared in the Scottish edition of the News of the World on Sunday. If you have not seen it use the link below and scroll nearly half way down until you see the pic of the German Shepherd dogs under the headline Barking Mad. http://notw.typepad.com/newsoftheworld_scotland/ I have now received further information about the situation. I have been told that the skins and body parts which were seen on the site are believed to be pig meat and tripe being dried out to be stored and fed to the dogs. The dogs have been inspected by animal welfare officers who have found them to be in good condition. The welfare officers could find no evidence that dogs were being killed for their skins but they have confirmed my opinion that, so long as the animals are killed humanely, they could be killed, skinned and the pelts sold. Obviously a great big hole in UK law here! Debidin does not require to be licensed as a commercial breeder so he is not running what we would describe as a puppy farm. I am trying to find out if he has any connections to the security industry either here or abroad. Local authority Animal Welfare Officers, SEPA, SEERAD, the police and the SSPCA are all dealing with the situation. Apart from an assault charge Debidin has, I believe, only ever been prosecuted for failing to comply with civil court orders involving noise and/or smell problems caused by his dogs. I can find no record of any neglect or cruelty charges. It has been suggested that police are acting against Debidin’s neighbours for spreading “malicious gossip†about him. This is highly unlikely as he would have to take successful civil court action against them and they would have to break criminal law by defying a court order banning them from repeating their allegations. However keeping a pack of dogs under these conditions makes it a bit more difficult for the animals to be rehomed as domestic pets if the situation deteriorates. The dogs would have to be house trained, “domesticated†and assessed before being placed in suitable homes. It could be that Debidin is simply an eccentric “hoarder†of dogs. He does not appear to be breaking any cruelty laws, his animals are in good health, he lives on site with them and they seem to regard him as pack leader. Most of the complaints against him have been about his dogs causing a noise or smell nuisance to neighbours. I have suggested to the various agencies how the new Animal Health & Welfare Scotland Act 2006 might be used to protect these dogs – if they need to be protected. If nothing else this case shows yet again that laws relating to the keeping of dogs need to be totally re-written. On the one hand innocent dogs are being destroyed because they look like “banned†breeds and on the other hoarders and scumbag puppy farmers can keep dozens of dogs in conditions which really are unacceptable. I am in contact with the co-ordinator on this case. If you have any info which might be of use (either about the current situation in Moray or Debidin’s previous activities in other areas) please let me know.

Thanks Ian. Hope you don't mind me cross posting. We've had a lot of feedback from this article but its mostly been about the RCVS practices than about this specific case, so thanks for the links

There's enough surplus of greyhounds to keep them going without them having to consider other breeds. I was thinking that a few years back we did a stall at a Dick Vet (yes really - its like the training vets school and it is called the dick vet!) event at Ingliston. A lot of the student vets came up and signed our petition stating that they hated what these poor animals go through and racing should be banned blah blah. It wasn't just one or two either - it was a steady stream of them. I remember having a conversation with one student who was quite taken with one of my hounds. I recall her saying that she liked greyhounds for study because you didn't need to open them up to find out about dogs as you could see what was what by simply touching or watching them.

Snow - agree with every word! Well said!

I think I do see what you mean although I really don't agree with it. Lots of reasons why its not acceptable practice. I'm of the mindset that there is no 'acceptable practice' for any greyhound to be destroyed in the name of "sport". I'd rather they weren't bred in the first place. There is the money issue which others have picked up on. These are healthy dogs who are exploited for money until they stop winning. These are vets who you hope feel that destroying a healthy dog would be morally wrong enough without getting them additionally doing that final bit of exploitation. Its wrong. Makes me wonder that if any other breed of dog was being used in this manner - say strays from pounds with the local authorities getting the money, would this be any less acceptable? Or is it just the sheer numbers of greyhounds which means they might as well be used for something useful? Lets face it, there's never going to be enough homes for each greyhound who "retires" from racing... Still can't possibly agree. Its morally wrong and just another way of disposing of the hound and I don't think I'll ever accept anything as acceptable disposal method. My chain of thought is that to agree to this would also be accepting the likes of David Smith's practices - its not the method of death or what happens afterwards thats so bad, its the fact its happening in the first place. Whats worse for me since I heard this news was breaking was that for years this practice has been a 'rumour'. Like Seaham, for years the NGRC have categorically denied this. They'll undoubtedly do a PR cover-up now and ban a trainer or two (or vet) and it will be back to business as usual. 'Scuse the ramblings - I should be in bed

I agree. Me too.

Interesting letter in the Evening News today: Too heavy price for a night at the dogs LIKE Brian Monteith ("I'd have a punt on Meadowbank hounds", News, February 1), I used to think greyhound racing was "a wonderful spectacle, a good night out and a fun way to relieve yourself of a small amount of money". For several years, I attended race nights until I discovered something that caused brought my nights at the dogs to an end. What I found out was that thousands of greyhounds are put to death every year before they even reach the tracks, after failing to come up to racing standard. Many of these dogs are bred in Ireland and are killed there after being deemed not good enough to send to Britain for racing. Nevertheless, it is the British greyhound racing industry that is responsible for the tragic fate of these dogs, as it is the demand from tracks over here that has caused them to be bred. Greyhounds have been around for hundreds of years, but have only been raced since the 1920s, so Brian Monteith is wrong to say they "could become a threatened breed . . . if there were no race tracks". I now find myself on the side of those who oppose the building of a new track in Edinburgh, which would lead to even more of these dogs losing their lives. Alex McKinnon, Edinburgh

Oops sorry - forgot to update. Didn't go today because it was withdrawn from the agenda And even if it wasn't, it would've been a waste of our time becuase it was never going to be taken seriously Thanks to everyone who wrote letters!

We've spoken to a few of them and they are all basically giving this guy the time because they have to. Yes - 'Kyle' really is that lazy

Hmmm.... Actually Terri, I think Hibsdog1 is a tad touchy about the kennels at Seafield - what do you think? And its pretty funny the guy behind Seafield kennels plans and the guy behind this track live in the very same street in the Lochend area. I'm not sure what numbers they live at though or indeed whether or not they are one and the same. Am digging again and am close to actually getting through to the dirt...! We've had a phone call from someone within the Council today and i really don't think there is anything to worry about Before I forget, 'Kyle' is OH - could've kissed him for the post!

Oh Terri. Just give me the gun now and I'll sort him out!

Wow! That is my thoughts condensed better than I could ever dream of writing! Will be cross posting and here's hoping more articles like this!

Oh fab - well done! Tootsmazza - need to find something out and then I'll PM you! Article in Evening News: http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstori...dogs.3730005.jp Stadium goes to the dogs ALAN RODEN IT once attracted thousands to the famous Powderhall Stadium. Now greyhound racing could be poised to make a comeback in the Capital, thanks to plans to stage races at Meadowbank. David Welsh, a former chairman of the Powderhall Greyhound Owners Association, is leading a delegation of enthusiasts trying to persuade the council to back the idea. It is thought a racing surface could be relatively easily installed around the outside of the stadium's existing athletics track. Mr Welsh is keen to get the idea off the ground after plans for a new £14 million greyhound stadium in East Lothian stalled. He said: "We're at a preliminary stage of looking at parts of Edinburgh that could have a greyhound racing track. "There is a large space at Meadowbank that could be utilised for this, and we have had planning experts take a look at the site. "Powderhall was very popular until its last days when it wasn't properly managed. I'm sure the demand for greyhound racing is still there. "We don't want any money from the council, as we would find people to invest in the track. Races could run around three times a week, and speedway could also be hosted there. "This isn't going to happen overnight, but we want to discuss the idea with the city council." Powderhall closed in the mid-1990s, as campaigners including Mr Welsh lost their battle to save it from demolition. Mr Welsh is set to speak at the council's culture and leisure committee meeting next Tuesday. The city's sports leader, Councillor Deidre Brock, has indicated she is happy to discuss the idea. Powderhall Stadium, which was in Beaverhall Road, was considered one of the country's best venues for greyhound racing. Greyhound racing began there in 1927, and attracted over 10,000 people at the first meeting. A new £400,000 grandstand was built in the 1980s, shortly before ownership changed several times. The stadium survived a £25,000 fire in 1987, but went bust in 1995 after owner Eddie Ramsay used stadium money to pay off other debts. City planners backed a campaign to retain the stadium, but they were overruled by Scottish Office officials. It was replaced with housing and an office block. However, the move to bring back greyhound racing will not be met with universal support. Amanda Wells, who lives in Haddington and is chair of Greyhound Action Scotland, said: "Greyhound racing tracks are closing all over the UK, and a lot of that is due to welfare concerns. It would be a disaster if a new track opened in the east of Scotland." Ross Minett, campaigns director with Edinburgh-based organisation Advocates for Animals, said: "There is surely no place for greyhound racing in a modern city in the 21st century." PROJECT STUCK IN THE STARTING GATE PLANS to build Scotland's premier greyhound racing stadium in East Lothian have faltered in recent years. Accountant and property developer Howard Wallace claimed his £4 million venture near Wallyford would attract fans from across Europe. Plans were lodged in 1998 but planning permission was not granted until 2005. The steel frame of the grandstand was erected that year, but the project stalled. Last August, Mr Wallace said he was still committed to the project, but East Lothian Council today said no progress has been made. The full article contains 558 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.Last Updated: 31 January 2008 11:26 AM

Thank you! Culture and Leisure Committee To determine policies for the provision of culture and leisure services within the strategic policy framework approved by the Council or the Policy and Strategy Committee. To approve strategies, programmes and projects and work with officers and partners to implement them. To set standards for service delivery. To secure best value in the provision of services. To take all executive decisions which are not reserved to the Council or delegated to another committee of the Council or officers. To facilitate and encourage public consultation and participation. To monitor performance in the delivery of services and financial performance. To keep under review the impact of the Committee’s policies on the City. Illustrative remit: Arts and museums Sport and recreation (including Edinburgh Leisure) Libraries Archives Festivals and events Cultural development Tourism (culture and sport based) Membership Culture and Leisure Committee – 13 members – 4 Scottish Liberal Democrat, 3 Scottish National Party, 3 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 Green Councillor Lang Councillor Morris Councillor Snowden Councillor Thomas Councillor Bridgman Councillor Brock, Convener Councillor Cairns, Vice Convener Councillor Godzik Councillor Hart Councillor Henderson Councillor Elaine Aitken Councillor Buchan Councillor Johnstone Leader (ex officio) Deputy Leader (ex officio)

Thank you - I'll let you know. Meantime you could send a basic email to all the Councillors on the committee re dropping figures attending greyhound racing, huge rise in stray hounds that Council money would be used to keep them for seven days etc. Even better is dropping in that EDCH used to have numbers of greyhounds tied to their gates the morning after trial night at Powderhall - of course being the council pound, it was council money which was used to kennel the abandoned hounds. Oooo you could also write to Evening News tomorrow after its article is printed highlighting plight of greyhounds etc. Take as much info from GA Scotland site as you want - and thanks so much! I think it will be laughed out of the committee room - can you imagine how much the land Meadowbank sits on would be worth to the Council in respect of property development? I doubt its going anywhere other than this guy is entitled to his say so they have to give him room to talk. But in that same vein, they also have to give me the right to talk Terri are you around? I have reason to believe this guy might be already *known* to us!!! p.s. how local are you? Lochend area by any chance?