Yantan Posted March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 Further to the proposed opening of a new greyhound track in Cockermouth, Cumbria this letter has appeared today (Friday 14th March) in the Times and Star and may well have been sent to other regional papers: Happy greyhounds Last updated 13:54, Friday, 14 March 2008 IT WAS with some concern that I read about a worldwide protest at a greyhound track plan which refers to a letter from a Judith Swain of Swansea. It would seem Ms Swain is attempting to sway the council and the public in Cockermouth against supporting a new greyhound track in the town by making a series of highly offensive and misleading claims. She is completely wrong to suggest that "only 2,000 (greyhounds) are known to be homed." The fact is that, when their racing career is over, most greyhounds will live out a happy retirement. Fewer than 10,000 greyhounds are now coming into licensed racing each year. Almost 4,500 are rehomed annually by the national charity, the Retired Greyhound Trust - twice as many as five years ago. Approximately a further 3,500 find homes either with their owners, their trainer or through other rehoming charities. Some of the others will continue their careers on independent tracks or will return to their native Ireland. Some are euthanased, because, for example, they are temperamentally unsuitable for rehoming or for health reasons. The rules lay down that this is done by a registered vet, and anyone doing otherwise risks a ban from the sport and even prosecution. If Ms Swain really has evidence of greyhounds that have been "cruelly killed by drowning in rivers after heavy weights have been attached to them or abandoned without food or water" then I trust she has provided it to the relevant authorities to investigate since it would constitute a serious offence under the Animal Welfare Act. There is no place in society and certainly no place in greyhound racing for people who treat animals in that way. LORD DAVID LIPSEY Chairman British Greyhound Racing Board Link to the letter: Times and Star If you feel riled enough to respond here are the details for sending snail and email to the newspaper with their guide for what is acceptable. "We welcome your views Last updated 11:34, Sunday, 10 February 2008 We welcome your letters on all topics for publication online and in the Times & Star every Friday. Please keep your letter brief and ensure that all correspondence is signed and contains an address and day-time telephone number. The Time & Star does not publish anonymous letters, but in some circumstances names and addresses may be withheld by agreement with the editor. The Times & Star reserves the right to amend letters for length and legality. Write to: Readers' Viewpoints, West Cumberland Times & Star, 23 Oxford Street, Workington, CA14 2AN Or email us at email link Please do cross post where ever possible! Marion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazyhound Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Further to the proposed opening of a new greyhound track in Cockermouth, Cumbria this letter has appeared today (Friday 14th March) in the Times and Star and may well have been sent to other regional papers: Happy greyhounds Last updated 13:54, Friday, 14 March 2008 IT WAS with some concern that I read about a worldwide protest at a greyhound track plan which refers to a letter from a Judith Swain of Swansea. It would seem Ms Swain is attempting to sway the council and the public in Cockermouth against supporting a new greyhound track in the town by making a series of highly offensive and misleading claims. She is completely wrong to suggest that "only 2,000 (greyhounds) are known to be homed." The fact is that, when their racing career is over, most greyhounds will live out a happy retirement. Fewer than 10,000 greyhounds are now coming into licensed racing each year. Almost 4,500 are rehomed annually by the national charity, the Retired Greyhound Trust - twice as many as five years ago. Approximately a further 3,500 find homes either with their owners, their trainer or through other rehoming charities. Some of the others will continue their careers on independent tracks or will return to their native Ireland. Some are euthanased, because, for example, they are temperamentally unsuitable for rehoming or for health reasons. The rules lay down that this is done by a registered vet, and anyone doing otherwise risks a ban from the sport and even prosecution. If Ms Swain really has evidence of greyhounds that have been "cruelly killed by drowning in rivers after heavy weights have been attached to them or abandoned without food or water" then I trust she has provided it to the relevant authorities to investigate since it would constitute a serious offence under the Animal Welfare Act. There is no place in society and certainly no place in greyhound racing for people who treat animals in that way. LORD DAVID LIPSEY Chairman British Greyhound Racing Board Link to the letter: Times and Star If you feel riled enough to respond here are the details for sending snail and email to the newspaper with their guide for what is acceptable. "We welcome your views Last updated 11:34, Sunday, 10 February 2008 We welcome your letters on all topics for publication online and in the Times & Star every Friday. Please keep your letter brief and ensure that all correspondence is signed and contains an address and day-time telephone number. The Time & Star does not publish anonymous letters, but in some circumstances names and addresses may be withheld by agreement with the editor. The Times & Star reserves the right to amend letters for length and legality. Write to: Readers' Viewpoints, West Cumberland Times & Star, 23 Oxford Street, Workington, CA14 2AN Or email us at email link Please do cross post where ever possible! Marion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazyhound Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Unfortunately the link to the letter doesn't work and I am unable to view it - but I can pretty much guess what it says. Lipsey obviously thinks that the dogs which don't make it to the tracks in the first place aren't even worth a mention ... we all know what happens to them And to suggest that only "some" are euthanased because they are unsuitable to rehome is an absolute joke. The sooner they ban this awful sport the better. I only wish the public was more aware of what is going on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yantan Posted March 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 The letter is copied in my original post The link has been changed on the Times and Star website - this is the updated LINK A decision on whether or not to construct the stadium is made today, March 19th. Complaints have come in from all over the world, I just hope the councillors will take note. Marion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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