Racing ban demand for greyhounds

Jul 28 2006 By Kenny Smith, Rutherglen Reformer

A GREYHOUND Remembrance day was held at Shawfield Stadium on Saturday.

Greyhound Action Scotland and 1World held the ceremony outside the greyhound stadium.

They were joined at the event by Scottish Socialist Party MSP Rosie Kane.

The annual ceremony is to mark the anniversary of all the greyhounds who have died, since racing first began 80 years ago on July 24, 1926 at Bellevue.

A spokesman for Greyhound Action Scotland said: “This year was particularly poignant due to the revelations in last Sunday’s Sunday Times regarding the 10,000 greyhounds who have been shot and buried at Seaham in County Durham.

“Many Scottish based greyhound trainers are registered at the three tracks nearest to Seaham; Sunderland, Brough Park and Pelaw Grange.”

John Patrick of 1World said: “To condemn animals to this kind of treatment in the 21st century in the name of ‘sport’ is absolutely unacceptable.

“Greyhound racing has as much relevance to Glasgow as bear-baiting.”

Amanda Wells of Greyhound Action Scotland said: “In light of the recent discovery in County Durham regarding 10,000 greyhounds being shot then buried in a field, the industry’s claims that the majority of greyhounds find a home after racing is dispelled.

“The mass-slaughter is the responsibility of the licensed industry and the numbers of dogs it needs to survive.

“This sport has been dying out slowly but after 80 years, it needs to formally end.

“Greyhound Action Scotland calls for a ban on this sport. There is no place for greyhound racing or culling in Scotland.”

The ceremony was open to any member of the public wishing to lay flowers in memory of the Seaham greyhounds as well as the other many thousands of dogs who have died.