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Owlerton track is 'dangerous' for dogs - claim
CRUELTY campaigners claim Owlerton Stadium in Sheffield is one of the most dangerous greyhound tracks in Britain.
A Greyhound Watch survey says last year stewards at Owlerton recorded 272 greyhounds being lame or 'broke down' on 309 occasions and for 141 of them it was to be their last race.
Clive Ellis of GW, said it was likely many of the dogs were put to sleep, although stadium management insist such action is only taken in extreme cases.
Greyhound Watch claims two dogs, Mail Madness and Work of Art, were put to sleep in July after the former fractured a wrist bone and Work of Art suffered a hind leg fracture in a trial.
Mr Ellis said: "Both injuries are very common within greyhound racing and treatable. Both, however, are slow to heal and likely to impair the animals' track time. As a result, greyhounds that incur this type of injury are usually put-down. The figures are horrific."
But Owlerton Stadium assistant general manager Dave Perry insisted it led the way in greyhound welfare and rehoming.
A sanctuary had been set up at Gosling Farm which provided a home for some 200 greyhounds each year.
Mr Perry added: "Greyhound welfare is extremely important to us. We spend in excess of 150,000 each year on the Gosling Farm Sanctuary.
"Many of the greyhounds alleged to have either disappeared or been put to sleep are in fact still racing at Owlerton.
"Although the track was already one of the safest in the country just two months ago, it was completely dug up, new drainage installed, and the track re-laid at a cost of 130,000, using top quality sand which is specifically manufactured for the industry.
"Greyhounds are athletes, and it is inevitable that injuries do unfortunately occur. However the injury rate at Owlerton is extremely low, and the relaying of the track will make it even safer."
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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