Outrage as Healthy Dogs are Put to Sleep
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.
Highly Recommended: What dog owner wouldn’t want a piece of THIS action? – Get FREE dog food!
Related posts:
- Triple Death at Greyhound Stadium Provokes Outrage From Welfare Campaigners
- Shock and Outrage as Dog Fatally Injured Live on TV
- Greyhound Awareness Week to Bring Plight of Greyhounds to Public Attention
- Vets Sell Body Parts of Healthy Dogs to Royal Veterinary College
- Another Greyhound is Killed at Stadium
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I have nothing but contempt for the Vet who should be struck off, the Trainer who should be put to sleep and the entire greyhound racing world. When will this barbaric "sport" be stopped?
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It's bad enough that the rules of greyhound racing allow for the killing of healthy dogs – ironic for a sport that professes its paramount concern is the animals' welfare – but when the the dogs in question could have been taken for rehoming, then the trainer and vet involved should be prosecuted and banned from having anything to do with dogs again – they're a total disgrace. It will be interesting to see if greyhound racing's ruling body take any action, but I wouldn't hold your breath!
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I would not hold my breath either, its happening everyday but pushed under the carpet when oh when will everyone wake up and smell the coffee? Dogs are dying by the day in the name of Sport.
Were the RGT approached?
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