Compassion News

Write to DEFRA by 22 July 2009

ONCE IN A LIFETIME CHANCE TO HELP THE GREYHOUNDS
 
 
URGENT: PLEASE WRITE TO DEFRA BEFORE 22 JULY FOR THE SAKE OF THE GREYHOUNDS.
 
DEFRA has launched a consultation on the proposed introduction of regulations to promote the welfare of greyhounds at racetracks which would be made under section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The proposed regulations are completely inadequate.  They focus on what happens at the racetrack itself and ignore "off-track" welfare, which is where the atrocities we have seen in the past occur. The cases of greyhounds being killed with a bolt gun reported in the press in the recent past will not be prevented by these regulations.  Moreover, the Inland Revenue will continue to earn £70m per annum on the back of exploited racing greyhounds.
 
TELL DEFRA THAT WE WANT:
 
1.          No self-regulation, only independent regulation will do
2.          One system to track all greyhounds from cradle to grave
3.          One injury database open to public scrutiny
4.          Independent regular inspection of trainers' and breeders' kennels
5.          Greyhounds to be transported in cages which enable them to stand up and turn around
6.          Greyhounds to be euthanased by a vet only if rehoming is not an option (e.g. behaviour / irreparable injury)
7.          Vets to be specially trained and have financial independence
 
PLEASE USE SAMPLE LETTER BELOW TO TAILOR TO YOUR OWN.  A LETTER IN YOUR OWN WORDS WILL HAVE FAR MORE IMPACT.
 
DEFRA WILL TAKE NOTE OF HUNDREDS OF LETTERS.  GET YOUR FRIENDS TO WRITE TOO.
 
THIS IS A ONE AND ONLY CHANCE TO IMPROVE THE LOT OF THE GREYHOUND

Peter Hall
Animal Welfare Act Implementation Team
DEFRA
Area 8B
9 Millbank
c/o 17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR

Dear Mr. Hall,

DEFRA consultation on proposals for welfare of racing greyhounds regulations

I am writing to voice my concerns about animal welfare issues relating to the racing greyhound industry

I believe that regulations must be introduced to ensure better protection for greyhounds and that this should cover them throughout their entire life – from cradle to grave, not just whilst at race tracks or trials.  All aspects of welfare within the greyhound industry, from breeding and transportation to handling, racing and retirement, and final euthanasia need to be comprehensively improved.

Any licensing system should not just cover tracks where races and trials are held but also trainers' kennels where many greyhounds spend the majority of their lives.

It is important that animal welfare is given proper consideration and a vet should always be present at all race meetings and trials and have the proper facilities and expertise to assess and treat greyhounds effectively.

It is also essential that proper records are kept of injuries to greyhounds whilst racing and that these records are made available for public scrutiny on an annual basis to monitor the welfare of greyhounds whilst racing.

A report by the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) in 2007 found that a minimum of 13,500 greyhounds, bred for racing, are considered 'surplus' to the industry in England and Wales each year.  And nearly 5,000 greyhounds in England are unaccounted for each year – these are presumed to be killed by the age of three or four – when their racing days are over.  The average life span of a healthy greyhound is around 14 years.

Thus all greyhounds should be permanently identified and a central record kept of them so that numbers entering and leaving the industry can be more accurately recorded and also made publicly available.

There is a rising tide of public unease about this issue and increasing pressure on the industry to improve its ways and not regard dogs as disposable commodities.  I ask you to apply external regulation to the greyhound industry as a matter of urgency.

Yours sincerely

<< back