Laois Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is calling on Portlaoise GAA club to reconsider its decision to hold a fundraiser at a local greyhound track.
In a post on their website, LSPCA stated: "We learned today that, unfortunately, the Portlaoise GAA are planning to have a fundraiser at the greyhound track in Newbridge next week. We believe this is a very poor choice of venue and would ask that the Portlaoise GAA reconsider this form of fundraising. We would encourage everyone at the club to take the time to educate themselves on the exploitation these poor dogs suffer. The number of injuries during races is abnormally high, many greyhounds are drugged, exercised on treadmills and are abandoned when they are no longer profitable — often leaving animal rescues to pick up the pieces, if they are not killed off as “wastage” first. Hosting this event at a greyhound track also excludes anybody who has a moral objection to this “sport”. Millions of Euros of taxpayers money are spent each year on propping up this cruel industry, money that could otherwise be spent on health, education or other sports. By supporting this, you are part of the problem. An idea of some of the numbers of greyhounds born and “destroyed” in Ireland over the last few years can be found on the Greyhound Rescue Association of Ireland website https://grai.ie/greyhound-numbers/"
In the past three years alone at Newbridge greyhound track, at least 49 dogs suffered injuries and 17 were killed by a track vet. Nationwide, in the same period, 1,369 greyhounds suffered injuries, with 438 destroyed. This does not include the dogs injured at tracks and later killed elsewhere, or the thousands who go missing each year - presumed destroyed when found to be too slow to win races.
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.
Greyhound racing is also sustaining the cruel bloodsport of hare coursing - 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.
ACTION ALERT
Don't attend greyhound races or fundraisers/hen parties/office parties held at greyhound tracks.
Join us in urging the GAA to tell member clubs to reject greyhound racing as a form of fundraising.
Email: queries@gaa.ie
Leave a comment on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/officialgaa
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Appeal to Portlaoise GAA Club to show compassion for the animals and choose an alternative fundraising venue.
Portlaoise GAA Club
Rathleague, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Telephone: +353 86-8095130
Email pro.portlaoise.laois@gaa.ie
Leave a comment on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Portlaoise-GAA-Club-108542145841275
Tweet to @PortlaoiseGAA
Watch our campaign video
Why you should say NO to greyhound track fundraisers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjRIa0Jc_DA
The cruel and crumbling greyhound industry has received nearly a quarter of a billion euros of taxpayers' money since 2001 (including €16 million for 2018 and €16.8 million for 2019). Urge Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe to end funding to the greyhound industry and instead direct the money to charities and other deserving causes. Email "Stop funding the cruel greyhound industry" to taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie, leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie, paschal.donohoe@oireachtas.ie, minister@per.gov.ie
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar
Department of the Taoiseach,
Government Buildings,
Upper Merrion St, Dublin 2
Telephone: +353 (0)1-6194020
Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie, leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie, finegael@finegael.ie
Tweet to: @campaignforLeo
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campaignforleo/
Paschal Donohoe TD
Minister for Finance
Email: paschal.donohoe@oireachtas.ie, minister@per.gov.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1 6045810
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaschalDonohoe/
Tweet to @Paschald