One of Northern Ireland's two remaining greyhound tracks has today "CLOSED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT".
BBC News is reporting that "a lack of government funding, 'unlike the greyhound racetracks in the Republic of Ireland'" is being blamed for contributing to the closure.
Indeed, many of the Republic's loss-making greyhound tracks would already have gone the way of Drumbo Park were it not for the millions of euros of taxpayers' money the government insists on pumping into them. In November, another €16.8 million was handed over to the Irish Greyhound Board - this despite the fact that this is a dying industry, with falling attendance, declining sponsorship and growing opposition to racing due to the dog injuries and deaths, the doping of dogs to make them run faster or slower and the disappearance of an estimated 10,000 greyhound each year - presumed killed when found to be too slow to win races.
Despite the millions in subsidies, there may be more track closures to come here in the Republic. Two days ago, the CEO of the Irish Greyhound Board hinted at the possibility of closures, telling Shannonside Radio: "16 licensed greyhound stadia is a big amount for what might be seen as a small country."
Well done to the Shut Down Drumbo Racetrack group which organised protests outside the track to raise awareness about the suffering and death of dogs in racing. Thank you also to everyone who joined us in complaining to the sponsors of races at Drumbo Park, including Tennent's Lager and Calor Gas.
Greyhound stadium at Drumbo Park closes
BBC News, 11 January 2019
The directors of a greyhound stadium near Lisburn have said it has closed with immediate effect.
Fourteen full-time staff and 30 part-time staff at Drumbo Park in County Down were informed on Friday.
In a statement, the directors said numerous factors have meant "the business is no longer sustainable".
They added that "substantial resources" had been invested in an attempt to turn the business around but had been unsuccessful.
Drumbo Park Greyhound Stadium was one of only two in Northern Ireland
A shortage of greyhounds to provide a full race programme, the impact of online gaming on live racing and licensing laws were amongst the issues claimed to be behind the closure.
A lack of government funding, "unlike the greyhound racetracks in the Republic of Ireland", was also blamed.
The directors thanked staff, customers and dog owners for "their support and dedication over the past decade".
Lisburn Distillery Football Club plays matches at the stadium.
A spokesperson from the club told BBC NI they could not comment further until they had received more information.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-46835738
----------------------------------
ICABS ACTION ALERT
Say NO to the greyhound industry - don't attend races, office parties or fund-raisers held at greyhound tracks. Distribute our "6 reasons to say NO to greyhound racing" leaflet outside greyhound tracks to encourage people to show compassion and boycott greyhound racing. You can download the leaflet at http://www.banbloodsports.com/ln170616.htm or order copies by emailing info@banbloodsports.com
In November, 92 TDs (mostly Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Labour - see https://www.facebook.com/banbloodsports/posts/2002869239828624 voted to channel €16.8 million more of taxpayers' money to the Irish Greyhound Board. The huge cash injection (which exceeds the amount given last year) brings to nearly a quarter of a billion euros the amount paid out to greyhound racing since 2001. Contact Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and demand an end to the use of public funds to prop up the dying greyhound industry. 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
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
Please sign and share our petition
Irish Government: Stop Giving Millions of Euro to Cruel Greyhound Industry
https://www.change.org/p/irish-government-stop-giving-millions-of-euro-to-cruel-greyhound-industry