The GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) should act NOW to stop club fundraisers at greyhound tracks.

Numerous clubs (including junior clubs) have held fundraisers at tracks - gambling venues where dogs suffer injuries and die.

Given recent revelations about gambling addiction problems among GAA players, it is entirely inappropriate and irresponsible for GAA clubs to choose gambling venues as fundraising locations. Allowing clubs to expose players to a gambling environment is at odds with the GAA's stated concerns about the growing problem of gambling and it undermines efforts to educate players about gambling addiction.

The GAA should also consider the fact that the greyhound industry is inherently cruel and that those attending fundraisers at tracks may witness injured dogs writhing in agony and crying out in pain. In the past four years alone, at least 1,559 dogs have suffered injuries at tracks around Ireland and 506 were killed by track vets.

In addition, an estimated 10,000 greyhounds go missing each year, presumed killed when found to be too slow to win races. One Irish trainer remarked online: "I've seen dogs being shot. It has to be done as there's too many of them to rehome." A former chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board admitted on Cork's 96 FM that he believes it is "absolutely" okay for thousands of dogs to be killed and that racing couldn't exist without the destruction of dogs.

Fundraisers at greyhound tracks are helping to keep the cruel greyhound industry afloat - the track takes a 30-40 per cent commission from ticket sales and also profits from gambling and food/drink sales on the night. The cruel bloodsport of hare coursing also indirectly benefits - all greyhounds used in track racing are registered with the Irish Coursing Club and the registration fees help fund coursing activities. In coursing, thousands of hares are snatched from the wild every year for use as live bait for greyhounds at coursing meetings. Hares are terrorised while desperately running for their lives and there are injuries and deaths due to maulings.

We are appealing to the GAA and its local clubs to show compassion for the animals and reject the cruel greyhound industry.

ACTION ALERT

Join us in urging the GAA to instruct member clubs to reject greyhound racing as a form of fundraising.

Email: queries@gaa.ie; nationalchildrensofficer@gaa.ie
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