The GBGB’s crackdown on euthanasia and the news that the small number of individuals at the lower end of the evolutionary scale, who routinely destroy the racing hounds, days are now numbered.

Is this the welcome news that is long overdue? Can the sport get rid of this stench and push forward to embrace the full potential that the sport has to offer?

Well I for one, say this cannot happen quickly enough. Without this one dark stain hanging over all who care and the entire sport, the sport can and will push forward, enticing more sponsors who otherwise would stay away.

Who would want their company’s good name tainted by this dreadful practice, from which the ‘Antis’ feed their lies and proper gander? Rules need to change with the figures plainly set out exactly on euthanasia, giving the true reasons why this happen.

Loopholes need closing and if the track vet says no then that is it, no. If the connections then fulfil their desire elsewhere then the GBGB has to send them on their way out of the sport, adios, goodbye and good riddance.

The naming and shaming of these individuals is the next step, that will give pressure to the tracks that they are attached too. Thus making the tracks more vigilant, so they the tracks then adding pressures to solve this situation. What track will want their name involved in this practice when it is brought to light about the minority?

Whatever one’s opinion is on the RTE hell in Ireland, the one thing is that’s ringing out loud and clear is that action, real meaningful action is required. It is refreshing that Mark Bird and the GBGB are getting very much proactive in solving the many problems they face, they deserve unequivocal support in fighting this particular menace.

Is it difficult to look after our greyhounds, difficult in re-homing them, no it’s not it takes a will that’s it. Unfortunately for some it is easier to walk an hound into the Vets for the hound to be carried out in a bag, an utterly disgusting practice. The track vets need now with the support of the GBGB be forceful and say NO to this type of euthanasia, no.

There are many private centres, individuals and the Greyhound Trust who will to home the hounds, they only ask for a small donation in return for the special work and dedication they offer, it takes a little effort that’s all.

As owners we are comfortable in the fact that we are associated with some like minded kennels who give us support and help, the very notion of euthanasia is detestable.

We are members of the Westwell Racing Club who to a person have the highest regard to welfare and nothing would not be done or lengths taken to achieving the highest standards in welfare, it is as the majority in this sport a natural way to care.

Westwell have a special Lady, Clare who finds homes for the clubs retired hounds, she completes all the necessary due diligence and after care, organising regular club get togethers, so we still see our ‘old ones’.

One of our kennels Dave Jeans at Swindon, has always had high standards in welfare along with our other kennels, who has used his kennel space for his ex racers until they find their forever home. Jodie at Dave’s works tirelessly in homing their hounds and now Dave, lead by Jodie are now using any spare kennel in taking in hounds from other like minded kennels and finding homes.

Between Clare and Jodie this year they have homed to date 22 hounds and have homes waiting for specific racers, ready for when they finish their careers. Their reputation is growing and fully deserved kindness is being recognised.

Are these ladies backed up by like minded owners unusual, hell no, this is happening up and down the sport, but who takes the limelight, the minority’s who need sorting out. The evolution scale has still a ways to go.

Garry Phillips

At 75 years young and retired from professional football as an ID FA talent scout for Chelsea QPR Crystal Palace, West Ham, Milwall Charlton I found myself wondering ‘what am I going to do after I have completed my autobiography?’ I keep a Hackney Driving pony, I have a family grandchildren but I need something more.

I spoke with my nephew who races greyhounds. He gave me the low-down but I wanted to find out for myself. So I phoned a trainer and then went a long to see her and spoke about me coming in to the sport. It was agreed that I wouldn’t spend to much on a dog at first to see if I enjoyed it.

She showed me two young bitch puppies from Ireland. I couldn’t chose between them. To me they were ‘dogs’ so she took the passports placed one in one hand and the other in her other hand and I chose from there.

I quickly got to know her and fell in love with this beautiful friendly little creature. She is black breed from Kinloch Brae out of Sheer Classic.

After he qualified to race this little dog showed the heart of a lion. She won two and a second, running against dogs that have had lots of runs. If she wasn’t impeded, she would have won more.

But the joy she as given me has led to me starting to study breeding lines. Now I have brought her half sister, Penny’s Charon by Kinloch Brae out of Deanridge Angel. I am looking forward to seeing her race.

I as a animal love have looked at several kennels and must say I have not seen any cruelty towards the dogs.

I would love to see the greyhound industry open an academy to allow young people to earn NVQs to become kennels hands and trainers. This would find a pathway for young people wanting to work in this industry.

If you can help me in some way I’d much appreciate it.
Michael Carroll

How about you spend more than half an hour in there Mr Murphy? Actually. Yes, do that, then be forced to race in temperatures officially documented as being high enough to induce a stroke in a dog.
Self regulation at it’s very worst.

Karen

We wouldn’t normally publish letters of the type above. It was an email from a lady who didn’t supply her surname and clearly related to an article produced on Wednesday when Hove’s Stadium Manager Brian Murphy announced that his meeting had been cancelled, but also quipped that he was considering spending some time in the Hove racing kennels to cool down.

So to respond to Karen’s sarcasm-laced points. 1) Hove did not race on Wednesday afternoon. So the letter is hammering them for doing the right thing?

2) As an additional point of interest, as pointed out by Brian’s boss, Ian Smyth, who controls all four Ladbrokes Coral tracks – according to the BBC weather website, at no point on Wednesday did temperatures ‘in Hove’ reach 31 degrees. Despite the fact that the meeting had long since been cancelled, Ian asked that temperatures at the track be monitored, and at one stage the temperature reached 35.7%.

3) Karen, and the army of antis who take to social media have determined what they believe is the optimal temperature for their dogs. In fact, GBGB policy on warm weather has been formulated on scientific and veterinary study (more of which I hope to feature on this site), not the ranting of amateur self proclaimed experts. The temperature at which dogs can control thermo regulation actually differs from breed to breed.

4) I wonder whether Karen was able to keep her pet mutt in air-conditioned comfort on Wednesday? Or like the rest of the population, did they have to watch the poor creatures struggling for shade and pant like steam engines?

Of course she could have done worse than ask Brian Murphy for a place in the Hove racing kennels which were chilling along nicely at 19 degrees. A nice place to spend half an hour I would have thought.

Ed