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RTE Investigates programme on greyhound racing industry
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Most trainers are good to the dogs. 90% of them are.My point in bringing him up is, just because someone's a successful trainer say nothing about their character or if they're particularly good to the dogs. It's a job. Fawning videos about trainers are just propaganda.
As for recent news about trainer's being caught out try Google.
Most people are good to dogs. Most people are good to animals.
However most people do not know a lot about animals.
This whole idea that Ireland has an animal rights emergency in comparison to other places etc is overreacting. Its overly dramatic.
The program on RTE was a part of that world view.
But to be honest the Greyhound industry has a lot to answer for. 16 million for a minority sport etc. If its bringing in 300 million to the economy it should be totally privately funded. No need for state funding.0 -
ILoveYourVibes wrote: »
This whole idea that Ireland has an animal rights emergency in comparison to other places etc is overreacting. Its overly dramatic.
The program on RTE was a part of that world view.
Who cares about other places? Our taxes aren't going to them. That's whataboutery at its finest.But to be honest the Greyhound industry has a lot to answer for. 16 million for a minority sport etc. If its bringing in 300 million to the economy it should be totally privately funded. No need for state funding.
Personally find that 300million figure specious - interesting that IGB has no problem with that data in their Powers report, so I guess they can agree with reports that they (we) commission.
Likewise, we don't KNOW how greyhound trainers are with their greyhounds. Why are any put down at tracks? We know it's 2 per week on average, why any? Do they get badly injured enough that no amount of surgery or rehab will fix them up? It's not like horses, dogs do fine on 3 legs, not great, in my experience but don't have to be put down.
Of course, the injuries might be more severe (spine, neck, etc.) But a dog with a severe enough leg injury incurred at the track might no longer be able to race, and as such, putting it down at the track when injured would be a big convenience for the owner.
I don't know, and don't expect any data forthcoming anytime soon from the IGB or the Greyhound Industry.0 -
The €16m comes from a betting shop levy, so, unless you frequent such establishments, your money is safe from horse and greyhound industries. Even if the game was only worth €200m a year to the economy, it’s worth supporting, especially as IGB is a commercial semi state body.0
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Another company has distanced itself from the greyhound racing industry. Thomas Cook travel company has removed Shelbourne Park from the itinerary of its jet tours ireland trip.
It's seems like more and more companies are moving away from both sponsorship and advertising of greyhound racing. Great more in my opinion.0 -
Snugglebunnies wrote: »Another company has distanced itself from the greyhound racing industry. Thomas Cook travel company has removed Shelbourne Park from the itinerary of its jet tours ireland trip.
It's seems like more and more companies are moving away from both sponsorship and advertising of greyhound racing. Great more in my opinion.
Oh, Dear. A travel company who brought, at the most, 10 people to the dogs have stopped doing so. It’s not the end of greyhound racing!0 -
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Deleted User wrote: »Snugglebunnies wrote: »Another company has distanced itself from the greyhound racing industry. Thomas Cook travel company has removed Shelbourne Park from the itinerary of its jet tours ireland trip.
It's seems like more and more companies are moving away from both sponsorship and advertising of greyhound racing. Great more in my opinion.
Oh, Dear. A travel company who brought, at the most, 10 people to the dogs have stopped doing so. It’s not the end of greyhound racing!
Never said it was, it just shows that the number of businesses that want to be associated with it are dropping. They want to have a good public image and being involved with greyhound racing is not helping in that way. Shows what way the public is feeling in general.0 -
Snugglebunnies wrote: »Never said it was, it just shows that the number of businesses that want to be associated with it are dropping. They want to have a good public image and being involved with greyhound racing is not helping in that way. Shows what way the public is feeling in general.
Red Mills have rowed back and are putting their (very small) sponsorship into supporting retirees. Barry’s Tea also put very little into the game and were looking for an out.
IGB and Tralee track withdrew their support from this years Rose of Tralee due to online abuse of presenters and Roses.
The public are beginning to see the RTÉ report for the sensationalised propaganda it tried to be. Built on lies and historic events.0 -
Deleted User wrote: »Red Mills have rowed back and are putting their (very small) sponsorship into supporting retirees. Barry’s Tea also put very little into the game and were looking for an out.
IGB and Tralee track withdrew their support from this years Rose of Tralee due to online abuse of presenters and Roses.
The public are beginning to see the RTÉ report for the sensationalised propaganda it tried to be. Built on lies and historic events.
Haha, funny comedian. There were no threats to Roses, and you base your assertion on the serial liars of your leaders in IGB.
Thomas Cook controls Jet Tours who were hauling in buses of unsuspecting foreign tourists, that has been stopped now.
The public are still disgusted with the greyhound industry killing thousands of healthy dogs for profit on and off the track.0 -
Deleted User wrote: »Snugglebunnies wrote: »Never said it was, it just shows that the number of businesses that want to be associated with it are dropping. They want to have a good public image and being involved with greyhound racing is not helping in that way. Shows what way the public is feeling in general.
Red Mills have rowed back and are putting their (very small) sponsorship into supporting retirees. Barry’s Tea also put very little into the game and were looking for an out.
IGB and Tralee track withdrew their support from this years Rose of Tralee due to online abuse of presenters and Roses.
The public are beginning to see the RTÉ report for the sensationalised propaganda it tried to be. Built on lies and historic events.
Greyhound racing won't end but people have definitely seen another side to it. The rescue I work for has had a huge increase of people expressing their distate for it. Loads of people have said they'd never attend again and we've had more people than ever show up to see the greyhounds, walk them and volunteer with them.0 -
Snugglebunnies wrote: »Greyhound racing won't end but people have definitely seen another side to it. The rescue I work for has had a huge increase of people expressing their distate for it. Loads of people have said they'd never attend again and we've had more people than ever show up to see the greyhounds, walk them and volunteer with them.
Unfortunately what they were shown was ancient history and based on prejudices of a minority. Thankfully they are seeing it for what it was. Its aim was if possible to end a legal pastime or to ensure that ‘rescues’ get increased funding. Job done. Greyhound racing is here to stay, thankfully, as too many jobs depend on it and it’s worth too much to the economy.0 -
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Snugglebunnies wrote: »Greyhound racing won't end but people have definitely seen another side to it. The rescue I work for has had a huge increase of people expressing their distate for it. Loads of people have said they'd never attend again and we've had more people than ever show up to see the greyhounds, walk them and volunteer with them.
And unfortunately that the issue with many of these tabloid style tv programmes. Throw a lot of **** in with some contentious footage of greyhounds being killed illegally and lay it on thick and get a whole bunch of things sideways and its almost impossible to split the bs from the truth. The sad thing is that programmes like this often do more harm than good to the majority of decent people involved - all the while the people who dont give a Jack **** or who do things illegally will keep on doing what they are doing. Yeah people are upset and want to react - but a lot of that in all probability will last until the next great media sensation gets pushed for improved ratings.0 -
Deleted User wrote: »Snugglebunnies wrote: »Greyhound racing won't end but people have definitely seen another side to it. The rescue I work for has had a huge increase of people expressing their distate for it. Loads of people have said they'd never attend again and we've had more people than ever show up to see the greyhounds, walk them and volunteer with them.
Unfortunately what they were shown was ancient history and based on prejudices of a minority. Thankfully they are seeing it for what it was. Its aim was if possible to end a legal pastime or to ensure that ‘rescues’ get increasegd funding. Job done. Greyhound racing is here to stay, thankfully, as too many jobs depend on it and it’s worth too much to the economy.
Why do you keep putting rescues in inverted commas?0 -
Presumably for the same reason as when people ask me 'is she a rescue?' and I respond that she's 'retired'.
'Rescue' assumes (I feel) that the creature was abused/neglected, etc.
In contrast our monster was evidently very well looked after whilst working - she's fit, strong, healthy, confident and quite the madam.0 -
[Deleted User] wrote: »Red Mills have rowed back and are putting their (very small) sponsorship into supporting retirees. Barry’s Tea also put very little into the game and were looking for an out.
IGB and Tralee track withdrew their support from this years Rose of Tralee due to online abuse of presenters and Roses.
The public are beginning to see the RTÉ report for the sensationalised propaganda it tried to be. Built on lies and historic events.
Do you know how you’re on the wrong side of history? When gozunda is thanking your posts.
I work for a company where theres over 3,000 staff & let me tell you almost everyone was horrified by that doc. They had banners up the canteen. They’ve banned all greyhound nights out. Don’t get me working in the 8 years I’ve been working there I think there’s but 1 night up there. I don’t pay that much attention to it.....
You can come on here & post as much ****e as you want but the greyhound industry is dying on its arse. That video you posted a few days ago was cringe.
(Lads.....were having a night out to show our support for the greyhound industry. The place is half empty & let’s not the ‘packet restaurant’. & the 4 retired greyhounds
Absolute cringe.0 -
So delighted that rte investigates programme did what so many random animal lovers have been trying to do for years. Cant even think how many times I rang Barry's tea company and asked about their sponsorship of the cruel so called sport of greyhound racing. Rte did in 1 hour what myself and others could not achieve over years.Deleted User wrote: »Red Mills have rowed back and are putting their (very small) sponsorship into supporting retirees. Barry’s Tea also put very little into the game and were looking for an out.
IGB and Tralee track withdrew their support from this years Rose of Tralee due to online abuse of presenters and Roses.
The public are beginning to see the RTÉ report for the sensationalised propaganda it tried to be. Built on lies and historic events.
Haha, funny comedian. There were no threats to Roses, and you base your assertion on the serial liars of your leaders in IGB.
Thomas Cook controls Jet Tours who were hauling in buses of unsuspecting foreign tourists, that has been stopped now.
The public are still disgusted with the greyhound industry killing thousands of healthy dogs for profit on and off the track.0 -
donkeykong5 wrote: »So delighted that rte investigates programme did what so many random animal lovers have been trying to do for years. Cant even think how many times I rang Barry's tea company and asked about their sponsorship of the cruel so called sport of greyhound racing. Rte did in 1 hour what myself and others could not achieve over years.
The cat is out of the bag now about the mass slaughter of greyhounds for profit and as I said earlier in this thread, the vast majority of people are dog lovers and are abhorred that the truth has been exposed. On the rescue pages of FB which itself is far larger in the many tens of thousands than that of less a half dozen greyhound industry slaughter supporters here, ordinary people are still horrified by the mass killing of dogs for entertainment, this issue of greyhound killing for sport will not go away despite their wish.0 -
Do you know how you’re on the wrong side of history? When gozunda is thanking your posts. I work for a company where theres over 3,000 staff & let me tell you almost everyone was horrified by that doc. They had banners up the canteen. They’ve banned all greyhound nights out. Don’t get me working in the 8 years I’ve been working there I think there’s but 1 night up there. I don’t pay that much attention to it.....You can come on here & post as much ****e as you want but the greyhound industry is dying on its arse. That video you posted a few days ago was cringe.
(Lads.....were having a night out to show our support for the greyhound industry. The place is half empty & let’s not the ‘packet restaurant’. & the 4 retired greyhounds Absolute cringe.
:rolleyes:
Do you know that is personalisation of this thread right there? - no valid argument so attack at a poster engaged with the discussion eh? Hey what's new. What I don't understand is the tiny cohort who bizarrely see anyone with any different opinion to them as an 'enemy'. Ffs discuss the topic or get left out .
So what you are attempting to claim above - as far as you know - is that few in your company go greyhound racing. But you dont know those '3000 ' individually - so how exactly would you know what they get up in their free time? The answer is you don't. Just because a few eejits may be screaming the loudest - does not mean anyone is paying any attention to them. But you say people are putting 'banners' up. Do you mean posters perhaps? Dont know what type of place you work in - any professional organisation I ever worked certainly wouldn't allow that type of campaigning in the workplace But hey it's a strange world we live in, isn't it - where it's easy to make bizarre claims and then contradict them. Absolute cringe is right ...0 -
The cat is out of the bag now about the mass slaughter of greyhounds for profit and as I said earlier in this thread, the vast majority of people are dog lovers and are abhorred that the truth has been exposed. On the rescue pages of FB which itself is far larger in the many tens of thousands than that of less a half dozen greyhound industry slaughter supporters here, ordinary people are still horrified by the mass killing of dogs for entertainment, this issue of greyhound killing for sport will not go away despite their wish.
And asked many times what of the 'mass slaughter' (sic) of the 30,000 pet dogs bred in this county and unaccounted for? Or is it reasonable to pick on only one breed of dog?
Same old same old hyperbole being peddled without logic or reason ....0 -
^^^ and here you have it that objecting to the mass killing of greyhounds DOGS for sport makes one an "eejit". 500+ greyhounds DOGS were killed without mercy on Irish dog tracks since 2015 nevermind the thousands slaughtered per year for being too slow to win a a race. (and the greyhound exports abroad to hellholes and the greyhounds drugged up to win races ). As the other poster said, the greyhound killing supporters have lost their side of history.0
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^^^ and here you have it that objecting to the mass killing of greyhounds DOGS for sport makes one an "eejit". 500+ greyhounds DOGS were killed without mercy on Irish dog tracks since 2015 nevermind the thousands slaughtered per year for being too slow to win a a race. (and the greyhound exports abroad to hellholes and the greyhounds drugged up to win races ). As the other poster said, the greyhound killing supporters have lost their side of history.
No that is your claim. However If you are claiming- "mass killing (sic) and other deranged hyperbole - them some may do. Pretty much in the same class as those as the 30,000 pet dogs bred and unaccounted for in this country are also 'slaughtered "mass killed" and 'genocided' etc etc
And btw no one excuses any deaths but the truth is that out of 100000 greyhounds raced - only 0.14 % died due to race related activities and were pts by vets. As for the footage of dog being eaten in China which had sfa do do with the accompanying historic footage of Irish greyhounds.
Tbh the ones who have evidently 'lost' the argument are those engaged with the hyperbole and bizarre sensationalism. Imo no one here has denied there are problems and some serious issues which apparently are being addressed. Well except those who kept screaming the same 'mass slaughter" "mass slaughter" bs. Tbh they do a disservice to themselves and the greyhounds they claim to represent.0 -
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No animal lover could tolerate the racing industry.
Some people just didn’t realise what was going on.
It’s great that more people are not supporting by refusing to go.
Hopefully we’ll see it gone soon enough.
I’d rather those dogs live with a loving family rather than being thrown into a vat of boiling water while still alive.
What a way to treat a beautiful animal that loves unconditionally. Could you think of a worse way to kill a dog ?0 -
If you are claiming- "mass killing andbother hyperbole " (sic) them some may do. Pretty much olin the same class as those claiming the 30,000 pert dogs are also 'slaughtered "mass killed" and 'genocided' etc etc
And btw no one excuses any deaths but the truth is that out of 100000 greyhounds raced - only 0.14 % died due to race related activities. As for the footage of China in that programne of dog being eaten in China which had sfa do do with the accompanying historic footage of Irish greyhounds.
Tbh the ones who have evidently 'lost' the argument are those engaged with the hyperbole and izarre sensationalism. Imo no one here has denied there are problems and some serious issues which apparently are being addressed. Well except those who kept screaming the same 'mass slaughter" "mass slaughter" [/b] bs. Tbh they do a disservice to themselves and the greyhounds they claim to represent.
Deflect deflect deflect.
Greyhound killing for sport is abhorrent which is despised by the vast majority of people. Irish greyhounds have been exported to China to a hell on earth with no animal welfare regulations. Irish greyhounds have been drugged up to win races, actually punters who participate in betting in this barbaric sport were duped and should launch lawsuits for being duped. Irish greyhounds are consistently dying on Irish dog tracks for failing to win a race, those 500 plus dead dogs who had no voice count.
No matter how you try to defend your dog killing industry for sport, you have lost.0 -
Deflect deflect deflect.Greyhound killing for sport is abhorrent which is despised by the vast majority of people. Irish greyhounds have been exported to China to a hell on earth with no animal welfare regulations. Irish greyhounds have been drugged up to win races, actually punters who participate in betting in this barbaric sport were duped and should launch lawsuits for being duped. Irish greyhounds are consistently dying on Irish dog tracks for failing to win a race, those 500 plus dead dogs who had no voice count.No matter how you try to defend your dog killing industry for sport, you have lost.
Strangely it is your comments which try to "Deflect Deflect Deflect" from the discussion.
Greyhound killing is a sport ?????? Wtf? So what do we use in this sport? Wolves is it? If you bothered to read this thread- the whole China thing has not only been properly discussed and in depth- but it has also been pointed out that a small number of dogs were previously exported for racing. Thankfully that no longer happens. Plus the number of dogs accidentally dying / being pts because of injury in racing in Ireland is 0.14%. And no one use excusing any deaths. But do drop the hyperbole and exaggeration. It does no one any favours including the ban ban ban crowd.0 -
Strangely it is your comments which try to "Deflect Deflect Deflect" from the discussion.
"Greyhound killing is a sport" ?????? Wtf? So what do we use in this sport? Wolves is it? If you bothered to read this thread- the whole China thing has not only been properly discussed and in depth- but it has also been pointed out that a small number of dogs were previously exported for racing. Thankfully that no longer happens. Plus the number of dogs accidentally dying / being pts because of injury in racing is 0.14%. And no one use excusing any deaths. But do drop the hyperbole and exaggeration. It does no one any favours including the ban ban ban crowd.
500 plus dogs have been killed at Irish dogs tracks since 2015 to service the needs of gamblers and profiteers, that's killing dogs for sport.
6000 plus greyhounds have been killed per year for been too slow to win a race, that's killing dogs for sport.
Greyhounds have been drugged to win(and lose) races, for sport.
As for China/Pakistan/name that other country which is hell for greyhounds with zero animal welfare, the export of dogs for sale by trainers and breeders from here has continued for years, maybe they have stopped now because the heat is on them? Seriously doubt it!
Greyhounds deserve a life of their own as pets away from death dog tracks, they are a Euro sign for the greyhound killing supporters.0 -
500 plus dogs have been killed at Irish dogs tracks since 2015 to service the needs of gamblers and profiteers, that's killing dogs for sport.6000 plus greyhounds have been killed per year for been too slow to win a race, that's killing dogs for sport. Greyhounds have been drugged to win(and lose) races, for sport. As for China/Pakistan/name that other country which is hell for greyhounds with zero animal welfare, the export of dogs for sale by trainers and breeders from here has continued for years, maybe they have stopped now because the heat is on them? Seriously doubt it! Greyhounds deserve a life of their own as pets away from death dog tracks, they are a Euro sign for the greyhound killing supporters.
The fact is that the statistics show the actual death rate (dogs pts by vets etc) is less than 1 percent at 0.14% per 100000 dogs raced. And no - no one is even excusing that. Ditto dog figures historically 'unaccounted" for. But do at least try to drop the hyperbole. If you don't like gambling- take it up with the Irish government. Apparently many people (shock horror) like to simply watch greyhound racing :eek:
The strange truth is that your average racing greyhound is fitter, healthier and has less congenital / genetic problems than your average mass bred pooch. Go figure. Look we get it - you dont like greyhound racing. Many do. And that looks like how it's going to stay. So like the Dogs Trust and other responsible groups - start helping and drop the continous exaggeration. As said - it does no one including the greyhounds any favours whatsoever...0 -
Roger Mellie Man on the Telly wrote: »Presumably for the same reason as when people ask me 'is she a rescue?' and I respond that she's 'retired'.
'Rescue' assumes (I feel) that the creature was abused/neglected, etc.
In contrast our monster was evidently very well looked after whilst working - she's fit, strong, healthy, confident and quite the madam.
OK.. but the organisations themselves are rescues? They're meant to be there to save neglected and abused animals but are usually used as dumping grounds for unwanted dogs too. The dogs don't need to be in bad condition to be saved from an alternative fate.0 -
I suppose that we’ll be considering rehoming poor cows next. Or even letting mosquitoes feed off us. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/mosquito-bite-kill-blood-france-animal-rights-eggs-a9036946.html
Greyhounds are born to race. Just because a few don’t like it doesn’t mean that it’s wrong.
EVERYONE who watched that TV program were horrified at some of its content. That’s exactly why it was included. The fact that most it happened years ago, in countries known for poor welfare of humans, let alone animals, seems to have escaped many who believe everything that they see on a very biased TV program.0 -
Interesting. The thread was reasonably quiet for a few days. Then late last night the attacks on the greyhound industry came with renewed vigor. There has been a lot of good debate on this thread but the attacks last night seemed frenzied and desperate.
It’s almost as if the protests at the tracks last night were much smaller than they had been and the word went around to ramp things up as people were losing interest and moving on.
Ok maybe that didn’t happen but there is no doubt that the majority of the public have moved on.0 -
Deleted User wrote: »Unfortunately what they were shown was ancient history and based on prejudices of a minority. Thankfully they are seeing it for what it was. Its aim was if possible to end a legal pastime or to ensure that ‘rescues’ get increased funding. Job done. Greyhound racing is here to stay, thankfully, as too many jobs depend on it and it’s worth too much to the economy.
Ancient history? Nonsense.
Doping: cocaine, 2019:
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/trainers-greyhounds-have-tested-positive-for-banned-substances-on-eight-occasions-36134259.html
That trainer's still competing. Another trainer convicted of doping his dogs, shows up as one of the top 10 trainers in Ireland in Google.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/perception-that-trainers-use-drugs-on-dogs-ruins-industry-image-1.3637509
That article's interesting in that one of the commentators mentioned that dogs are doped to lose. Seems obvious - this is how the gambling "pastime" (actually, seedy exploitative industry is more accurate) works, dope a favored dog to lose, know it's going to lose and bet against it.
Even if it's a small percentage of trainer's pushing the limits - the top 10 trainer pleaded ignorance, which is of course no defense, it's a dirty industry. If you google, you can find Irish crime lords involved with Greyhound racing as well: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/pictured-crime-boss-christy-keane-pictured-with-two-members-of-syndicate-that-own-1m-greyhound-35280519.html0 -
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This is a very good analysis of the RTÉ program
https://www.info-hz.de/greyhound/viewtopic.php?t=10444
“Statement of the Greyhound Forum and its affiliated Facebook groups on the latest events in Ireland.
Initially, we would like to explain why it took us so long to write this. After the initial shock - and we do not think we have to explicitly state that some of the footage has shocked us or that we, as German greyhound owners did not know about some of the things that were shown - we have tried to do some research and verify the claims, accusations and figures. Barring some details, we have mostly succeeded in doing this.
The content of the business analysis for the IGB that was produced by Preferred Results Ltd in 2017 is a hot topic. Obviously, we don’t have precise figures but we can tell that the material used for the analysis does not show a complete picture. Anyone looking at the methods and source material as described by RTE themselves and doing a rough calculation, should also come to that conclusion. However, this statistic has been shared in many outraged statements and is often interpreted wrongly. We would like to assume that this happened in the spur of the moment rather than with the intention to further a specific political agenda.
Bear with us; we now have to do some maths:
According to RTE the base for any calculations has been the number of litters registered with the ICC Studbook. This number has been multiplied by 6.5 which is the average number of pups per litter as published by the GBGB for Britain. Yes, you are reading correctly, they didn’t count the actual pups registered and earmarked, but instead took British figures to estimate the total of Irish-born greyhounds. The IGB itself states an average of 6 pups per litter.
Even then, it’s not 16k pups per year as frequently stated, but 15.280. Of course, it is perfectly fine to use round numbers - we have been taught in school that one rounds to the nearest round number which makes 15k.
This 15k should contain registered pups bred for racing and coursing. The second key number used is the number of dogs registered for racing with the IGB. Coursing-bred dogs are usually not registered for racing - why should they be? Also deducted from the initial 15k should be greyhounds registered with the GBGB (7392). To make that clear, those dogs are not overproduction or ‘left-overs’ but dogs bred for the UK racing market. The majority of greyhounds racing in the UK are Irish-born. It remains unclear if exports in other countries for racing or breeding purposes that have been given so-called export pedigrees, have been taken into account i.e. direct sales to Continental Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand and a number of other countries.
Some of these other countries may include those with unacceptable or no animal welfare regulations. Exports into such countries need to be regulated or banned by law. The IGB can take various actions against its members selling dogs into suspicious countries. These include fines or suspensions, but banning such exports by law can only be put into effect by the government.
To allow an easy comparison we are adding the current figures for 2018 published by the IGB:
2344 litters x app. 6 pups =14.064
Irish racing pool: 3.600
English racing pool: 6.500
Coursing: 318 litters x app. 6 pups per litter = 1.908
IRGT: 1000
5% natural death rate of pups: 700
13.708 Greyhounds accounted for.
Neither the source material used by Preferred Results/RTE nor the official figures from the IGB take into consideration any dogs exported to EU countries in small amounts (<6 per vehicle) by private citizens for non-racing or breeding purposes. These dogs do not need export pedigrees issued by the IGB or official export/transport papers. All that is required to cross an EU border is the pet passport that proves a valid rabies vaccination. The data from such passports is not registered at the border. This concerns not only dogs sold as pets, but also small private transports by animal rescue people who do not comply with the IRGT, or foreign adopters who collect their greyhounds directly from an Irish kennel or shelter. If the rehoming group or individual animal protection people do not inform the IRGT about a successful rehoming abroad those dogs are gone, unaccounted for and cannot be traced in the source material used for the report.
Also considered unaccounted for are any hounds that were never registered for racing with the IGB but nevertheless remained with their breeders or owners, and greyhounds that remain with their breeders, owners or trainers after the end of their racing careers or those rehomed with friends or relatives. If not officially registered as rehomed, the dog is gone.
Of course, it is rather stupid of the good folks in the racing community not to inform the IGB/IRTG of such private rehoming’s, but it is very common practice. As a decent, normal dog-loving person it would probably not occur to you that you need to inform anyone about the fact that you are keeping your own dogs.
The IGB and the ICC have, in consultation with the Irish Department of Agriculture decided to take measures for keeping track of every Irish-born greyhound from birth to death - about time in our opinion!
Until this new tracking system is set up - it is scheduled to start in September - the Greyhound Data has offered to step in and help by updating the profiles and adding as many of the unaccounted-for dogs as possible.
These dogs are now coming in from various sources and some of them are appearing in the records for the first time since their birth. Many are living or have lived with their racing owners, trainers or breeders in Ireland. Others are living or have lived with greyhound lovers all over Europe who were not fully aware of the importance of keeping track of change of ownership or who were not able to update their dogs’ profiles at the Greyhound Data themselves because of insufficient English language skills.
A number of rehoming organisations that in the past did not update their rehomed dogs simply due to lack of time are now passing on the data to volunteers who are doing the updates for them.
Other rehoming organisations still refuse to cooperate because they do not see it as their job to help the racing industry solve the issue of missing greyhounds. We want to tell them that reliable records will make it a lot easier to find and hold responsible those breeders, racing owners and trainers who have culled healthy dogs for no good reason as they will be unable to hide behind the majority of decent, responsible people in the industry.
In the end, it is a decision everyone who really cares about greyhound welfare has to make for themselves.
Finally, to conclude the topic of the Preferred Results report, we would like to add a quote from said report:
“-What happens to some 6000 pups per year remains to be explained.
- While not officially recognised there have been many reports in the media and elsewhere of the large-scale culling of under-performing dogs.
- It is important to clarify and to quantify the level of culling which may exist due to the fact that from an animal rights perspective it could threaten the very existence of the industry and from a cost perspective it could do likewise.
- To determine whether there is in fact an issue with the culling of under-performing dogs the following analysis were conducted;
RMS Entry Grade Analysis 2009
RMS Exit Grade Analysis 2009”
Summarising, the report does not state as a fact that the 6000 that remained unaccounted for based on the available records have been culled. They only assume this because of past reports in the media and elsewhere (the internet?). - Any questions?
The following points need to be made about the journalistic quality of the RTE program:
RTE reports that The Greyhound Industry receives government funding - i.e. taxpayers’ money. They insinuate that money comes from general taxes paid by every person in Ireland including those opposed to racing. This has been frequently repeated in statements and comment on the program but is incorrect. The funding actually comes from the 3% betting levy paid by bookmakers. This 3% amounts to approximately €80 million, of which €64 million goes into horse racing and the remaining €16 million into the Greyhound Racing Industry. This money is not taken from the pockets of the general public but from people betting on horses and dogs.
Some of the footage shown on the program was up to 12 years old - were there not any more recent examples available?
Fortunately, the Irish Racing Industry has made some progress and improvements over the last decade.
The vet who was interviewed as an expert on doping in greyhound racing is in a relationship with RTE employee - were no independent experts available?
The vet recalls several cases of heavily doped dogs being brought to his surgery, but he fails to mention when these incidents occurred or if they were reported. Since 2005 no dog has tested positive for EPO during official tests by the IGP.
RTE Investigates showed video footage from an allegedly illegal coursing and names one of the participants as an ICC official. It was explicitly stated at a council meeting of the Department of Agriculture that this event was perfectly legal. It did not comply with the ICC rules for official contests but had been sanctioned by the local authorities.
In replies to letters and emails inquiring about the shocking video from the knackery, RTE Investigates stated that the footage was recorded by an automatic camera they set up and that they only saw how the four greyhounds died when they viewed the footage about a week later. The video had most likely been recorded several months before the airing of the program. RTE did not explain why the issue was not immediately reported to the police and why important evidence such as images showing vehicle number plates were not handed over to the authorities. Without such evidence, it is considerably more difficult to identify the culprits and put them to trial.
Another question that needs to be asked in connection with these horrible images is whether dogs of other working breeds were brought to the knackery, along with greyhounds during the recorded time span. There has been no statement from RTE about this, although the answer would be important to determine if the abominable practice of dumping a dog at a knackery is solely a problem of the Racing Industry or a more general issue with Irish working dogs. The question is by no means far-fetched - what happens to old, sick, injured collies, lurchers, pointers or retrievers?
Having said all this, the admins and moderators of the Greyhound Forum and its affiliated Facebook groups do not see a reason to reconsider their attitude towards the Racing Industry. We will continue our personal and working relationships with members of the Irish racing community and use our connections to investigate animal welfare issues brought to our attention as and when necessary. We firmly believe that only through such cooperation can improvement in the welfare of our beloved greyhounds be achieved.
We have been glad to hear about all the recent improvements in regulations, such as the earlier mention of a lifelong tracking system, the fund for injuries and the promised improvements in rehoming procedures and funding. We will keep reminding our contacts in Ireland that those new rules and programs should be established in a timely manner.
Finally, a few words to the IGB:
The recent decisions are a significant improvement but they are overdue. The handling of the Preferred Results report by the Board if not abysmally stupid, was awkward. The majority of dedicated members of the Irish racing community who care for their dogs with love and expertise, deserve better from the administrative body of their sport, e.g. timely and honest statements and the admission of past mistakes. The public, not only in Ireland and the United Kingdom but also in Continental Europe and the rest of the world, will keep a critical watch on the development in Ireland.”0
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