greyhound pal Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 Received today - don't know who is behind it... Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2007 19:53:39 +0000 (GMT) From: <[email protected]> Subject: This was sent to all RGT branches, which are part and parcel of the Racing Industry MUSHROOM For those of you who are kept in the dark and fed on ???? Welcome to Mushroom, the ALTERNATIVE RGT newsletter You are receiving this newsletter because you care about ex racing greyhounds and their welfare, but more importantly, because you support the Racing Industry. I’m sure that all of you are passionate and devoted to your ex racers. So much so, that you don’t have time to get caught up in the Greyhound Racing debate. Well, we would like to give you an insight, some facts and figures, so that you can make an informed decision on whether to continue supporting the Industry and the RGT or to run your Rescue Centre independently. Fact 1 Before you are even asked to kennel one of the 10,000+ annually retired racing greyhounds, a large percentage of them will have been PTS for one of the reasons that the Industry finds acceptable. Such as:- UNSUITABLE AS A PET INJURY NOT TREATED ON ECONOMIC GROUNDS NO HOME OR RETIREMENT PLACE COULD BE FOUND Do you find these acceptable reasons to ‘dispose’ of a greyhound? Are you happy supporting the Industry that does? (see attached PDF Retirement Form) Fact 2 The British Greyhound Racing Board knows what happens to each greyhound upon retirement and how many are unaccounted for via their Retirement Forms. The RGT branches and their volunteers claim to have re-homed nearly 4,000 greyhounds in 2006. A wonderful achievement yet the Industry will not make public statistics for the remaining 6,000+ annually retired greyhounds. Do you think they have something to hide? Are you happy supporting an Industry that is clearly deceitful regarding the fate of their greyhounds? Fact 3 Lord Lipsey claimed at the beginning of 2007 that this year would be a ‘Make or break’ year for the Racing Industry and further stated that by the middle of 2007 the Racing Industry would be in a much more ‘defensible welfare position’. Finding themselves in a much more ‘defensible welfare position’ the RGT then planned to make extensive cuts in the numbers of kennelled greyhounds by 31st August 2007 Do you think they have been using you, the volunteers to project good re-homing figures? Are you happy to continue to support an Industry that shows so little gratitude to its supporters? (copy and paste to browser or hold Ctrl key down and click to link) Fact 4 In 2006, The British Greyhound Racing Board received a donation of £100,000 at its disposal to award grants to ‘Independent Greyhound Rescue Centres’. Of that £100,000. 2 commercial kennels received grants of £2,000 each, 3 greyhound trainers received grants of £5,000 each, one RGT branch received a grant of £5,000 and a Deborah Mullins(Essex) received £5,000. Only 71% of the remaining fund went to established/Independent Rescue Centres. Do you think it’s fair that nearly £30,000 was allocated to Commercial kennels, Greyhound Trainers, a new RGT branch and a Ms Deborah Mullins? Are you happy supporting an Industry that diverts grants back into its Commercial Sector, when it is intended for hard working, volunteer run Charitable Rescue Centres that are far more cost effective? http://thedogs.co.uk/index.php?m=aid&id=268 (copy and paste to browser or hold Ctrl key down and click to link) Fact 5 In July alone, the National Greyhound Racing Club held 5 Stewards Inquiries regarding ‘drug’ incidents and a further 9 into ‘enhanced/decreased’ performances. The vast majority of the trainers received only a caution or small fine. Do you think it’s fair to abuse greyhounds for pure financial gain? Are you happy to support an Industry that tolerates cheats? http://www.ngrc.org.uk/rec_inquiries.asp?cat=6&page=242 (copy and paste to browser or hold Ctrl key down and click to link) Fact 6 During 2006, the British Greyhound Racing Fund awarded over £11 million in grants. More than 36% (£3 million) to support Prize Money, just over 18% (£2 million) to refurbish Racing Stadiums and 13% (£1.5 million) being given to the RGT. Do you think it’s fair that Prize Money should be increased for the elite few winners and restaurants should be fitted with plush surroundings, whilst there are still huge waiting lists of retired losing greyhounds to be re-homed? Are you happy continuing to support an Industry who considers Prize Money and luxuries priority over greyhound welfare? http://www.bgrf.org.uk/expenditure.asp (copy and paste to browser or hold Ctrl key down and click to link) IN OUR HUMBLE OPINION The Racing Industry has never been responsible in its attitude to Greyhound Welfare. It has only been since the The Times exposure of greyhounds being slaughtered on a massive scale at Seaham, did the Industry bow to public pressure and commence a PR campaign to win public confidence by publicising increased funding to the RGT. The Industry did not suddenly find themselves guilt ridden neither did they voluntarily introduce welfare improvements, the Industry were forced into such by the public. If you sincerely care for the long term welfare of ex racing greyhounds, then become independent and have the freedom to make ‘greyhound welfare’ priority. “No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow†Please feel free to contact the editor with your concerns, comments or even defence of the Racing Industry. ***News Flash*** The British Greyhound Racing Board has just announced an extra £150,000 is to be allocated in prize money to trainers and owners!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fee Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 Well I can't argue with any of that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslass Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 Me neither. Well said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elricc Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 very well said Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nettie Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 How very true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scipio Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 Spot on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abigailj Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 When I received this last night I starting dancing around the house. Now I am home from work I shall resume dancing around the house Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhound pal Posted November 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 (edited) I'm still Can't believe someone has finally had the balls to write something like this! Edited November 8, 2007 by greyhound pal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndwoman Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 That will rock a few boats I am very pleased to say for whoever put those facts together and taken the trouble to make it public. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindlebabe Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 Good for them! Awaiting the reply . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel n Hardy Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 I'm still Can't believe someone has finally had the balls to write something like this! So are you going to reply to the email you received and can this be spread wider across the net to, in order to further raise awareness of the terrible treatment the racing world hands out to greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhound pal Posted November 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 The person is staying anonymous And I believe there is much more to come. By all means, forward it on - I've forwarded it to our mailing list and I'm contemplating adding it to our website I'm *thinking* of forwarding it on to the Charities Commission. Its always stuck in my throat that they have charity status Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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