Another Greyhound is Killed at Stadium June 17, 2009 by
K9 Magazine News Editor Campaigners renew call for Manchester dog track closure:
Greyhound protection campaigners have renewed their calls for the
closure of the dog track at Manchester’s Belle Vue Stadium after
yet another greyhound was put to death there, after being seriously
injured during a race last Thursday.
The three year old dog, called Balreask Touch, was in the lead in
the ninth race of the evening, when he fell badly at the first bend.
He was carried from the track and later “put down” by a vet.
This latest death comes less than two weeks after three other greyhounds were killed at the track over a two day period.
Tony Peters, UK Co-ordinator for international greyhound protection
group Greyhound Action said: “We are frequently informed about
the deaths of greyhounds at Belle Vue by an official at the track, who
has become sympathetic to our campaign, because he is sickened by the
number of injuries to greyhounds that occur there.
“The serious injury to Balreask Touch, and the subsequent
ending of his life, is just the latest incident in a catalogue of
carnage associated with Belle Vue, which our local branch have dubbed
the ‘Stadium of Death’.
“Details obtained by greyhound protection campaigners under
the Freedom of Information Act indicate that over 40 dogs are being
‘put down’ annually at the stadium after suffering injuries
there.
“In addition, hundreds of other greyhounds, bred because of
the demand created by Belle Vue, are put to death as puppies or young
dogs, before they even make it to the track, after being judged
unsuitable for racing.
“According to our most recent research, as many as 15,000
greyhounds, bred for the British racing industry, are ‘put
down’ every year, after failing to make the grade as racers or
when their ‘careers’ on the tracks come to an end.
“An RSPCA report on greyhound racing has stated that ‘at
least 20 greyhounds a day - either puppies which do not make the track,
or retired dogs aged three or four - simply disappear, presumed
killed’.
“Members of the public can help put an end to this horrific
situation by not attending dog tracks or betting on greyhound racing,
so this appalling industry fades away through lack of financial support.
“In response to this latest death at Belle Vue, our local
branch have renewed their call for the closure of the dog track there
and will be continuing with their demonstrations outside the
stadium.”
:mad: