John Gilburn cannot question the credibility of the RSPCA report stating, ‘20 greyhounds a day, either puppies which do not make it to the track, or ‘retired’ dogs aged three or four, simply disappear, presumed killed’ and also ‘Dogs are generally kennelled for 23 hours a day, for their entire racing life, if not longer, usually two dogs per small kennel, sharing one bed and to avoid fighting, dogs are muzzled as a long term solution’

Neither can he question this years exposures by the Sunday Times exposure where healthy greyhounds were killed, their warm bodies cut open and their organs sold to the RVC or the exposure of the largest greyhound breeder in Britain selling puppies that wont chase or are to slow, to Liverpool University for research and dissection.

John Gilburn also conveniently fails to mention the credibility of the ‘All Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare’ report of last year that concluded from evidence supplied by the racing industry ‘ The regulated greyhound racing industry produces, at a minimum, a ‘surplus’ of 13,478 greyhounds in England and Wales each year.

And not surprisingly he forgets to highlight the very credible Donoughue report, commissioned and paid for by the industry which stated ‘Were it not for BAGS, there would no longer be a sustainable licensed greyhound racing industry in Great Britain’

It is John Gilburn’s remarks that are inaccurate. Whilst attempting to defend this exploitative industry by grossly inflating Gosling Moor Farm’s re-homing figures, he continually refuses to declare Owlerton Stadium’s injury figures.

Contrary to John Giburn’s assurances, do these greyhounds look as though the industry has taken care of this wonderful companion to man?
http://greytexploitations.com/resources-and-reports/walthamstow-greyhounds

MAKE PUBLIC THE GREYHOUND INJURIES AND FATALITIES!

With this knowledge, the public will surely decide it IS time to abolish commercial greyhound racing.

www.greytexploitation

British tracks fuelled the breeding of 23,000 plus greyhounds in 2007 and a significantly higher figure the previous year (the majority bred in Ireland).

Homing figures for last year (that are very much higher than previous years) total 8,000 according to the industry; a figure many consider on the optimistic side.

Perhaps it includes those greyhounds given to anyone through the free ad publications; a practice becoming more widespread in which rarely is any home check carried out or consideration shown for the future welfare of the animal (in breach of industry rule 18, 1E).

Even accepting their figure, the above supports the claim made by Tony Peters that 15,000 greyhounds bred for the British racing industry are put to death every year.

Many people are likely unaware the majority of greyhounds bred for racing will never make the grade.

New registrations for greyhounds to compete on National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) tracks are hovering at about 10,000 annually (9,751 in 2007 and 10,101 in 2006).

Sadly, the desire for only the highest performing animal leads to over breeding, and many greyhounds are simply to slow or fight or will not chase.

John Gilburn disputes the claim by Greyhound Action but cannot support what he has to say.

And in a telephone conversation yesterday, disputed also the figures given by Greyhound Watch concerning the number of greyhounds recorded injured at Owlerton last year.

Greyhound Watch can back-up all information supplied to The Star with dates and the greyhound’s names.

When this was brought to the attention of Mr Gilburn he put the phone down.

I adopted a greyhound that was found wandering in Barnsley town centre. His tattoo gave me the chance to find his origin. The national greyhound register confirmed that his sire was a record holder at Owlerton. Having only raced for a very short time (retired due to injury I have been told) he was put to stud. My dog is one of approx 800 bred from him ,none of which have been successful on the track. How many other greyhounds have been bred and then dumped in such a callous way ?
I applaud the work done by rescue centres, but the real problem is the greed of the owners and breeders.
Greyhound racing is the sport of the working class, but therein lies the problem. A working man who is offered £1000 per pup is always going to try to make a profit regardless of the consequences.

I read with amazement John Gilburn's retort denying the facts and figures presented on greyhound racing. Similar validated figures have been presented by an All Party Government group looking into the welfare of racing greyhounds to DEFRA who are currently looking at Greyhound Welfare and how the "sport" should be regulated. Mr Gilburn might also want to look closer to home. I own a dog that was raced at Owlerton and then thrown out to fend for herself. Luckily she was rescued and however hard I try, I can't understand what might have possessed someone to do this to the most gentlest dog I have ever owned. I know for a fact that she is not the only one - not by a long shot.

RGT in the Sheffield area may well have rehomed "nearly 200" greyhounds last year but more than an equal amount turn up on the streets often with horrific injuries and yes, Mr Gilburn, even from your stadium. So much for your "highly regulated and welfare-concious sport".

Maybe Mr Gilburn needs to leave the comfort of his luxury race track and take a trip to visit the many kennels that rescue and rehome these beautiful dogs. Take off your blinkers, join the real world and realise that not all your wonderful racing dog owners love and cherish their dogs and then rehome them. Some of them actually are quite cruel, as I found out. Speak to the public who have rehomed a dog and ask them what condition their dog was in. You may be surprised!