Shame on Glanbia for its disgraceful response to the RTE Investigates programme which shocked the nation and prompted calls for a ban on greyhound racing.
The company is refusing to end its sponsorship of an industry in which 6,000 greyhounds are killed every year, including dogs dragged into knackeries and shot in the head. As highlighted by the RTE Investigates programme, greyhounds are also illegally doped, have their ears cut off or burned with acid, are injured and killed at tracks and exported to hellholes in Pakistan and China - a country where dogs are hacked to death, boiled alive and hung on meat hooks.
Glanbia has clearly misjudged the public outcry to the sickening revelations and instead of following other companies in ending its sponsorship, is giving the Irish Greyhound Board the opportunity to conduct a review and "deliver a comprehensive approach to overhauling welfare practices in the sector" - a sector that is rotten to the core and whose existence is based on over-breeding dogs and killing the thousands who don't run quick enough.
The Irish public is horrified that Glanbia - the company behind some of Ireland's most well known brands, including Avonmore, Kilmeaden and Gain pet food - is a sponsor of this vile industry.
Glanbia appears happy to continue its sponsorship, with its Gain brand name remaining on the Irish Greyhound Board website in connection with a race next month, i.e. "the final of the GAIN Dog Nutrition Corn Cuchullainn will take place on 9th August 2019".
Glanbia and GAIN - which describes itself as an "animal welfare advocate" is one of the biggest supporters of greyhound racing. In 2016, Glanbia's Gain Dog Foods announced a rolling one year greyhound racing sponsorship deal worth €120,000.
We are urging Glanbia to reconsider its stance and follow Connolly's Red Mills, Barry's Tea, FBD Insurance, Botanica International, Hyde Irish Whiskey and other companies, in announcing an immediate and permanent end to its greyhound racing sponsorship.
We also urge Glanbia to put an end to its support for CRUEL HARE COURSING - we were told by Glanbia in the past that it "does not pass judgement on sports or activities as long as they are undertaken within the confines of the law". Amid growing protests and boycotts of companies which support the nasty greyhound industry, now is the time for Glanbia to make a judgement.
ACTION ALERT
Get in contact with Glanbia and ask it to permanently end all support/sponsorship of greyhound racing and hare coursing.
Jim Bergin
CEO, Glanbia
Glanbia House,
Kilkenny, Ireland
Telephone: +353 (0)56-777 2200
Email: corporatecomms@glanbia.com, info@gainanimalnutrition.com
Tweet to: @GlanbiaPlc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GAINpetnutrition/
*** We encourage the public to boycott any business which continues to sponsor or support the cruel greyhound industry ***
Watch the full "RTE Investigates Greyhounds Running for Their Lives" programme on the RTE Player
https://www.rte.ie/player/movie/rt%C3%A9-investigates-greyhounds-running-for-their-lives/104051751967
or on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYTb2qBjlMM
GLANBIA / GAIN'S FULL STATEMENT
8TH JULY 2019
We were highly concerned by the Prime Time Investigates programme of 26 June which highlighted serious animal welfare issues within the greyhound sector in Ireland. Animal welfare has always been and continues to be a top priority for GAIN.
We immediately began a process of reviewing the issues raised. We have formally conveyed our deep concerns to the Irish Greyhound Board over the shortfalls that have been clearly displayed within the sector. Our values as a company are clear and we expect high standards from our partners and stakeholders.
The IGB is conducting a review of the issues raised. We have indicated to IGB that we expect this review to be robust and that it should deliver a comprehensive approach to overhauling welfare practices in the sector.
As animal welfare advocates, GAIN has worked hard to actively encourage greyhound owners to keep their retired dogs when they finish racing and to promote the rehoming of greyhounds. Through the inaugural “Strolls to GAIN Homes” events last summer, GAIN took a leading role with the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust to highlight to the general public that retired greyhounds make terrific family pets.
GAIN also donated over 1,000 bags of our premium dog food to 36 dog charities across Ireland at Christmas. A significant number of these charities are actively involved in re-homing all types of dogs. We also make regular individual donations to animal rescue charities and shelters.
We are continuing to engage with partners across the industry on this issue.
Caroline Brindley
Equine & Pet Brand Manager
Glanbia Ireland: Purcellsinch Bus Park, Dublin Road, Kilkenny,