In support of greyhounds
IT is a sad fact of life that many greyhounds applauded on the track meet an untimely end when their racing days are over.
The RSPCA believes that at the end of their racing careers, all greyhounds, which generally make excellent pets, should have the opportunity of retirement to a home that will give them a good quality of life for the remainder of their natural life span.
A report by the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) in 2007 found that a minimum of 13,500 greyhounds, bred for racing, are considered 'surplus' to the industry in England and Wales each year.
And nearly 5,000 greyhounds in England are unaccounted for each year – these are presumed to be killed by the age of three or four – when their racing days are over.
The average life span of a healthy greyhound is around 14 years.
Defra plan to introduce secondary legislation on greyhound racing and have launched a public consultation. The deadline for submissions is July 22.
The RSPCA, along with other welfare groups, is asking the public to help in supporting calls for independent regulation.
If you are concerned and want to find out more you can write to Defra and make your views known.
The RSPCA is calling for the government in England to apply external regulation to the greyhound industry as a matter of urgency.
DAVID MILLARD
RSPCA North
Regional Superintendent
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Weather for Whitley Bay
Saturday 26 May 2012
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