Thank you to Kerry’s Eye for giving coverage to calls for a ban on greyhound racing and a protest which recently took place outside Tralee stadium - one of the worst tracks in Ireland for greyhound injuries and deaths.
According to sickening Irish Greyhound Board statistics, over the past four years alone, 92 greyhounds suffered injuries at Tralee stadium and 45 were killed by a track vet. At tracks around Ireland in the same period, 1,559 greyhounds suffered injuries and 506 were killed. The Irish Greyhound Board figures are based on “reported” injuries and deaths, suggesting that the actual number could be even higher. They do not include the greyhounds injured at tracks and later killed elsewhere, or the thousands of greyhounds who go missing each year – presumed killed when found to be too slow to win races.
Greyhound racing “should be banned”
Kerry’s Eye, 30 May 2019
By Audrey Reidy
Greyhound racing is a cruel sport and should be banned outright, according to protesters who gathered outside the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium in Tralee last Saturday night.
The Kerry Greyhound Awareness Group were set up to highlight what they call the cruel mistreatment of greyhounds used in the racing industry.
However, a spokesman for the Irish Greyhound Board said owners spent a considerable amount of time and resources in training and caring for their greyhounds.
Caroline Fitzgerald, from Tralee, PRO for the Greyhound Awareness Group, said statistics prove dogs are being mistreated.
“Last year, there were numerous greyhounds who suffered injury - and many were put down. It’s terrible to see these animals injuring themselves and wincing in pain. A number of the dogs are retired to new homes but the vast majority of them don’t get that treatment.
“Besides that, there are children being brought to the stadium, where there is alcohol being served and gambling taking place..witnessing dogs getting injured and even placing bets themselves,” said Ms Fitzgerald, who was joined by other members of the group outside the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium during Saturday night’s protest.
“We want an outright ban on the sport, where there is money being made on animals and no sign of regulation or animal welfare,” added Caroline.
Communications Officer for the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) Josh Prenderville told Kerry’s Eye that the IGB respects the right to protest peacefully but added that it is important for this to be done factually with information being put into the correct context.
An IGB statement said that in 2018, 11,008 greyhounds competed in the full racing calendar at Kingdom Greyhound Stadium.
In total, this resulted in 29 injuries, of varying degree, and following veterinary advice, 10 greyhounds were euthanised - 0.09% of all greyhounds raced in Tralee last year.
Between January and March of 2019, 2,716 greyhounds competed at Kingdom Greyhound Stadium, resulting in 12 injuries, of varying degree. Following veterinary advice, 2 greyhounds, 0.07% of all runners in Tralee in the first quarter of this year, were euthanised.
The Kerry Greyhound Action Group are claiming that the industry is responsible for this mistreatment but the IGB refute these claims.
“No greyhound owner wants to see their dog get injured. Owners will have spent a considerable amount of time and resources in training and caring for their greyhounds,” they said.
According to the IGB, control stewards carry out a track inspection prior to all race meetings and trial sessions. The track vet ensures that appropriate care is provided to injured greyhounds and to advise the stewards on welfare.
“When, in rare cases, an injury to a greyhound does occur, best veterinary care and advice is followed in every case,” they added.
Almost 6,000 greyhounds have been re-homed with assistance from the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT).
The IGB is continuing to liaise with other partnered rehoming organisations to ensure greater public awareness towards the benefits of having a retired racing greyhound as a treasured family pet.
As for the gambling: “Gambling for anyone under 18 is prohibited and is most certainly not permitted in any greyhound stadium, including Tralee. The IGB is a family-friendly organisation and last Friday night, children who visited the stadium were given the chance to meet a retired greyhound along with an IRGT volunteer.”
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Find out more about Kerry Greyhound Awareness at
https://www.facebook.com/KerryGreyhound/
REPORTED GREYHOUND INJURIES AND DEATHS AT IRISH TRACKS
2018: 353 Injuries. 121 Deaths
2017: 357 Injuries. 124 Deaths
2016: 427 Injuries. 139 Deaths
2015: 422 Injuries. 122 Deaths
INJURIES AND DEATHS AT TRALEE STADIUM
2018: 29 injuries, 10 deaths
2017: 24 injuries, 15 deaths
2016: 28 injuries, 16 deaths
2015: 11 injuries, 4 deaths
ACTION ALERT
Don’t attend greyhound races or fundraisers/hen parties/office parties held at greyhound tracks.
Join us in demanding an end to the government’s massive grants to the greyhound industry – €16.8 million for 2019, bringing to around a quarter of a billion euros the amount handed over since 2001. Contact Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe now.
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar
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