Comments on: Greyhound Homing Scandal

By: Sandra Woodhouse

Sandra Woodhouse — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:54:58 +0000

My mother has been sending a subscription to the Debenhams Rescue Greyhound Trust for years and now, because she has a greyhound of her own and can not afford this money she has decided to cancel her subscription. Because for quite a while now she has received no correspondence from this trust I have looked on the website to try and find any address.
I cann’t believe what I have just read about the disposal of unwanted greyhound puppies and adults. It is appalling. I also saw mentioned a Mr. Debenham and wondered if this is the same gentleman who obviously conned my mother into donating, and wondered if you had an adress so she can cancel her subscription. She was told, in the beginning, that this was a charity to rehouse greyhounds and assured it was all done in the correct manner which is obviously not the case.
If you can help it would be great, but if not I will try to find another way of cancelling the subscription as soon as possible. I don’t know even if he could be prosecuted for receiving money under false pretences. Even though my mother is 88 years old when I tell her what I have just read she will be devasted to think her money has gone to this person.

By: Gillian Kaloyeropoulos

Gillian Kaloyeropoulos — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:10:54 +0000

It would not seem unreasonable to make it a requirement that homechecks for retiring greyhounds, hitherto running on official tracks under NGRC rules, be undertaken by branches of the RGT or by experienced homevisitors from other nominated dog rehoming organisations. A small set fee for the homevisit plus travelling expenses to be paid by the trainer wishing to rehome his ‘unit/s’(what an expression!). Such a scheme shouldn’t be too difficult to implement, surely? Perhaps the flapping tracks could be encouraged to promote the undertaking of homechecks even if not enforceable.

By: Alain Thomas

Alain Thomas — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:01:54 +0000

A very interesting and useful article! Shocking but, sadly, not surprising.

Greyhound Rescue Wales has been working for some time to find out more accurately how many greyhounds meet “unacceptable fates”. One such fate is being homed irresponsibly by their owner and, for obvious reasons, it is very difficult to estimate numbers accurately – all we have been able to say so far is that we know it is happenning. Clive – if you have any more background information you could share with me, particularly about the situation in Wales, I would be very glad to receive it. It will be put to good use. Please contact me via greyhoundrescue_wales@yahoo.co.uk.

Many thanks,

Alain.

By: Lin Hall

Lin Hall — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:58:17 +0000

The killing will never stop until people realize that it is the ‘business’ of greyhound racing which fosters and perpetuates the cruelty, no matter how hard they try to separate themselves from it. And it’s just that simple. The cruelty will never end until greyhound racing is out of business. Thank you to Clive Ellis for this excellent article, and to K9 for publishing it.

By: Dave Garland

Dave Garland — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:10:58 +0000

I have had various articles published with regard to this situation and receive the same stupid letter from the BGRB from Peter Lauri Welfare Officer. He claims
“Thoes that do not care for them properly are simply not welcome, and face being banned by the sport’s regulatory body or even prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act”.
Now we are all waiting to hear. How many have been banned? How many have been prosecuted under the Act? What tremendous improvement has been made to Greyhound welfare over the past five years as he claims?
I will not hold my breath waiting for a reply.
Dave Garland founder G.L.W.R.

By: Clive Ellis

Clive Ellis — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:45:17 +0000

Blue Belle Jo was kept in a shed by her new owner, Patricks Picture had 3 homes in 18 months before being picked-up as a stray, Funway Fred saw 5 homes in 4 months and Mistakenidentity was to given to a clueless 19 year old lad who worked 12 hours a day.

There was a happy ending for the above but not all can be saved as was the case very recently: Sophie An Mdaddy – a very gentle white and black greyhound – was taken to the vets by his new owner and put-to-sleep because separation anxiety was causing the dog to be unclean in the home.

The industry maintain racing greyhounds receive the highest care, exceeding that lavished on most pets, but when the animals are of no further use or value, welfare is the last thing on the minds of many trainers and owners.

It is true the Retired Greyhound Trust was set up by the industry to find suitable homes for any ear marked greyhound, and their homing figures are steadily increasing (although there is a story to tell here) but when speaking to trainers, it is evident many will not pay the £100 ‘donation’ requested by a large number branches.

Greyhound racing is driven by economics and whilst that remains the case few greyhounds bred for racing will overcome all the hurdles that lie ahead and enjoy a happy retirement.

By: Nandita Shah

Nandita Shah — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:22:10 +0000

I thank K9 for this sensitive piece. My hope is that one day everyone will realise the suffering that goes on in the name of entertainment – be it greyhound racing or circuses or zoos.

By: Arthur Clinton

Arthur Clinton — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:57:55 +0000

Welcome to the world of unwanted dogs!

With a ‘noble’ Lord in charge you are up against the establishment and on a hiding to nothing.

As usual a lack of leadership by whatever government is in power results in this position.