An Ireland Japan networking event due to take place at Shelbourne Park greyhound stadium has been CANCELLED.
The event organised by the Ireland Japan Association (which promotes greater business and cultural ties between Ireland and Japan) and Japan Business Society was scheduled for next month.
In a notice posted on the Ireland Japan Association’s website, it is stated: “In light of the recent outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19, the IJA and the JBS have jointly decided to cancel the upcoming event on 5th March. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused. The IJA members who applied for the tickets will be contacted directly.”
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports had last week called on the two associations to stay away from Shelbourne Park, pointing out that it is one of the worst tracks in Ireland for greyhound injuries and deaths.
At least 167 greyhounds suffered injuries there and 39 were killed by a track vet over the past five years alone. Among the victims are a greyhound who collapsed after a race and died of a heart attack and another who was carried away bleeding with a leg bone “popped out”.
In an appeal, ICABS urged Ireland Japan Association and Japan Business Society to follow the example of Japan's biggest business, Toyota, in rejecting greyhound racing. We told them that in the past, Toyota Ireland has emphasised that the company does not sponsor greyhound racing. After its brand name was used at a greyhound track, it contacted the Irish Greyhound Board to instruct it to immediately remove Toyota from the title of a race, saying the use of the brand name was used "without our knowledge or consent."
We also highlighted the disturbing revelations in "RTE Investigates: Greyhounds running for their lives". The programme revealed that 6,000 dogs are killed every year simply because they are not fast enough to win. It included horrifying scenes of dogs being delivered to knackeries to be shot in the head. One shot dog was seen writhing on the ground in agony as his merciless owner drove away. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYTb2qBjlMM
SEE ALSO
Toyota Ireland has told the Irish Greyhound Board to remove its brand name from the title of a race held at Clonmel greyhound track. The car company, which does not sponsor greyhound racing, has told the IGB that the Toyota brand was used without its permission https://www.facebook.com/banbloodsports/photos/a.463548137094083/1321250814657140/?type=3
ACTION ALERT
Say NO to greyhound racing - don't attend races or fundraisers/hen parties/office parties held at greyhound tracks
STOP THE STATE FUNDING FOR GREYHOUND RACING
Another €84 million of scarce public funds has been approved for horse and greyhound racing for 2020. Since 2001, the two gambling industries have received more than one and a quarter billion euros of taxpayers' money.
Urge the leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail (who back the grants every year) to stop the funding.
Leo Varadkar
Leader, Fine Gael
Government Buildings,
Upper Merrion St, Dublin 2
Telephone: 01-619 4020
Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie; leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie
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Micheál Martin
Leader, Fianna Fail
Constituency Office
137 Evergreen Road,
Turner’s Cross, Cork
Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie
Phone: 021-432 0088
Leinster House: 01–618 3000
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