Stop Greyhound Slaughter Members Needed Now More Than Ever!

Hi all and sorry it's been so long. Things have been absolutely manic here but hopefully I'll be on and posting updates, news and articles regularly from now on. I'm posting the newest notice posted in the Stop Greyhound Slaughter Facebook cause today. Please join if you are on Facebook. Otherwise, check out the link and spread the word!

Hi all,

As usual with all of these messages, thanks so much for joining this cause and your continued membership. Also, thank you for all the wonderful donations that we have had in recent weeks. Every penny and stamp is very much appreciated at the moment given the dire state of the economic climate worldwide. Every donation is vital and every voice that is added to this cause is one more voice towards saving the Greyhound from diabolicle treatment that the breed in no way deserves.

I have two favours to ask of everyone today.

First of all, please take a look at this link - Stop Greyhound Slaughter. I put it on the blog this morning and it decribes the way in which one Greyhound was starved, thrown into a deserted factory and left to die. Please send it to all your friends and let them know just how cruel these "people" are.

Secondly, we now have a little over 18,000 members. Please please please keep inviting all your friends, post the link on blogs and get people joining up to make a stand. Can we try for 20,000 by August 15th? That's 2000 more members in a month. Come on people, we can do it!

Finally, I will be setting a donation target in the next few hours. If you can spare even $5 it would be very much appreciated. I haven't included this in the favour list because I know how tight many people are finding their finances at the moment. If you can thenplease do, if not just invite as many friends as you can to the cause today and help us boost the numbers. After all, 20,000 members would be an absolutely fantastic achievement.

Thanks again guys for all your hard work. You will never have any idea how much I appreciate it.

Lou x

Grey2KUSA's New Video

I received an email a couple of days ago with a link to the new YouTube video from one of the USA's most active groups in terms of the campaign to stop Greyhound slaughter. For those of you that have never heard of Grey2kUSA, they work tirelessly to educate the public and save Greyhounds in America from the inherent cruelty that they are all too often subjected to. I thought it may be of interest to some of you, so please find it below:

Harrowing Stories Of Greyhound Abuse & Slaughter

It's been a few days since my last post and I have very little time on my hands today so I thought I'd just provide a few URLs that might be of interest to thoe of you that are as disgusted by the Greyhound slaughter occurring worldwide as I am. These links prove that Greyhound slaughter does actually take place and that it is not a figment of our imagination... as some people seem to think it is.

The links below are to news sites and so offer details of cases that are hard to read. They are somewhat graphic in nature and may not be good bedtime reading for those that cannot stomach such details. However, I highly recommend that you take the time to read them and pass them on to anyone you feel might be interested in spreading the world and adding their voice:

Concentration camp for more than 30 greyhounds, article here

Hartelpool greyhound found dead with ears hacked off, article here

Pregnant greyhound found killed with ears hacked off near Bristol, article here

Greyhound found drowned in the river Foyle (Ireland), article here

Dumped greyhound found in Sittingbourne, involved in a road traffic accident, article here

Greyhound found stabbed to death in Sunderland, article here

Facts About Greyhound Slaughter In Peterborough

I've read numerous articles concerning the reatment of greyhounds in recent weeks that have alarmed me, more than ever before in fact. Whilst that may sound like a bad thing it is actually quite the opposite. More is being written about greyhound slaughter, meaning that more people will actually read about it and feel compelled to help fight against it. Take the Stop Greyhound Slaughter cause for example. There are now nearly 8000 members, over 3000 of which have joined since December 2008. Bearing in mind the cause has been active since the end of 2007, this is absolutely fantastic so the more awareness the better!

I actually just wanted to post a leaflet I received a link to about greyhound slaughter in Peterborough. The information given in this leaflet is proven fact. There is no debating its fudamental truth. As such, please spread it far and wide:





If you want to post this to your blog or website, the links to do so can be found here.

Another Dispicable Indictment Of The Greyhound Industry

Through the cause I run on Facebook and MySpace to Stop Greyhound Slaughter, I get to speak to a whole range of people and find out about the views they hold. Although there are one or two people that join the cause to ran and rave about how greyhound slaughter is just a figment of my imagination, the vast majority of people just want to help and one or two even have stories of their own to tell me.

I heard one such story a few days ago; a tale of greyhound rescue by a decent and incredible individual that was not affiliated with a greyhound rescue charity. We all know what amazing work greyhound rescues do but I also find it heartening to hear about regular people that literally save greyhounds from heartless and cruel people that are just out to make money. If these individuals did not make a stand then a few more beautiful greyhounds would be slaughtered every year. Here is the story in the lady's own words:

I wasn't aware of the killings that go on until a friend of mine joined a greyhound racing syndicate. The poor dog broke its foot on its first race which ended the dogs racing career (which I also think is cruel although that is a delicate subject). The members of the syndicate were uninterested in saving the dog and just wanted to put him down. My friend wouldnt allow it. He tried to get them to pull together to get the money for the £700 operation but they did not care, they just wanted to get another dog and try racing again. My friend, complete with a wife, two children and serious debt problems managed to find the money to save the dog and he now lives happily with his sister. A happy ending for this dog but there are plenty out there that are not so lucky.

Even syndicates of "normal" people are looking to dispose of these beautiful creatures when they are healthy and would make an excellent pet. It seems that they want the financial glory but not the financial burden that their insistance on racing greyhounds causes. Again, I know not all trainers/owners are the same and some care deeply for their greyhounds but the sheer number of dispicable things (I cannot bring myself to call them humans) is unbelievable. Enough is enough!

Another Stop Greyhound Slaughter Cause & Stamp Appeal Update

Hi all,

Hope everyone is enjoying the run up to Christmas and is almost ready for the festivities. Sorry I have been absent from here for a while but I have a few personal problems to deal with recently.

This is just a quick update to say a big THANK YOU to everyone that has joined either of the causes because I can't quite believe how successful it is! Every single person that has joined is making a difference because it is one more person that knows about what happens to greyhounds when they retire or if they will not chase as a pup. Although some do find homes, they are in the minority and this has got to stop.

Also, thank you to those that have signed the petition. There are only 2,157 signatures on there at the moment and we could do with a few more before Christmas if possible. You can stay anonymous if you wish but it takes a few seconds to sign and will all contribute to the voice against the appalling slaughter of these beautiful creatures.

Please keep inviting friends to the cause and spare a thought for greyhounds during this cold and cruel weather. They may not be warm and cared for this winter unless they are lucky enough to have been rehomed. Some ex-racers or those that will not chase will have been abandoned, others left to die in this weather and will not survive for long. It is important to help those rescues that work hard all year round wherever possible to ensure that thay can continue to work.

I am still running the stamp appeal, although interest has died off in recent months. If you have any used stamps from Christmas cards or letters then please ask me where to send them so they can help to fund rescues and rehoming. I'm willing to send an SAE if you do not want to pay to send them to me but we desperately need used stamps to fill credit crunch fund deficits so if you can help then please please let me know.

***************

If you do want to join either of the causes or sign the petitions, the URLs are as follows:
Facebook Cause
MySpace Cause
Stop The Greyhound Slaughter Petition

2,000 Members For Stop Greyhound Slaughter!

Hi all,

Today I write with happy news - I am massively pleased to announce that we have hit 2,000 members of the Facebook cause, Stop Greyhound Slaughter! In fact, today has been a good day for the cause overall. Since midnight BST we have had 10 members join thus far. Now that may not be a huge number for some of the cancer causes out there but it is for a smaller cause like this.

I am so proud that so many people are getting the message that something has to be done to help these wonderful creatures. Please keep on inviting as mny friends as possible to join so we can continue to grow and make our voices heard.

The petition is also doing just fine at 1,844 signatures although we could do with many more signatures so please sign if you have yet to do so. Also, pass the web address onto anyone you can think of that may want to help our cause. The URL for the petition and the cause it at the bottom of this post.

I am still collecting used postage stamps and foreign coins to help out greyhound rescues facing financial difficulties with the credit crunch in full swing so any and all used postage stamps you could send would be greatly appreciated. We can accept them from all over the world.

The response to this has not been as good as expected in recent weeks so if you can contribute then please request the address to send them to. If you live in the UK then I can send you an SAE to send any used postage stamp and foreign coin contributions in. If you would like to do this then please send me your address. Unfortunately, our funding does not stretch this to abroad but we would still like to accept stamps and coins no matter where you are.

The roll of honour to the side of this blog is going up today so check in to see your name on there after contributing.

Thanks again all! Keep inviting and supporter. God knows, these beautiful creatures will need it this winter and for many long years to come.

***************

If you do want to join either of the causes or sign the petitions, the URLs are as follows:
Facebook Cause
MySpace Cause
Stop The Greyhound Slaughter Petition

Thank You To Animal Rights Groups

I was in my local town today and met two wonderful women and one wonderful man trying to get signatures for two petitions. They were campaigning for animal rights and, when I was there, they were getting a favourable response. However, on speaking to one of the ladies behind the table I soon found that they had been called "no better than Nazis" just before I got there. I found this absolutely disgusting given that they were only trying to stand up for what they believe in and make a difference in the lives of animals everywhere.

So, for the rest of us that do want to make a difference, thank you to them and all of the others that take their time to stand around in all weathers trying to garner awareness of the things we do not see or hear about all over the world.

I was really pleased to find that they actually had a flyer about stopping the greyhound slaughter on their table. It was printed by Greyhound Action and I will be having a good read of it a little later and blogging about it, along with all of the other leaflets I picked up! Keep on going guys - we're making a difference already!

*********

They were from the Tamworth Animal Rights Network, or TARN. The link there is their MySpace page. Please visit it and support their efforts to save animals.

Help To Stop The Live Skinning Of Animals In China!!!

With the Olympics on the horizon in the very near future, China has come under scrutiny from various different angles. If it isn't the smog and air pollution then it's the human rights issues. However, I want to draw attention to something else. i want to draw attention to the barbaric treatment of animals.

Now any greyhound lover that has looked into the slaughter of greyhounds in Asia will probably know that greyhounds are skinned and eaten there. This may be horrifying but it is completely true. However, at least the greyhounds are dead before they do that. This may not sound like a plus point at all, but it is when you consider this next fact.

Did you know that 2 million, yes 2,000,000 cats and dogs are skinned alive for their fur every year. They then die in the most horrific way because they are not put out of their misery. They are instead left to die.

There is a petition that you can sign on the Care2 site. This is the direct link. Please please sign it as they are looking for 2 million signatures, one for every cat and dog treated in this barbaric way.

We must put a stop to it now!!! After all, could you imagine the two gorgeous creatures below with no fur? No? Neither could I. This brutality has to be stopped now so please support it... for the sake of all of our furry friends.

A Call To Arms: Stop The Greyhound Slaughter In Peterborough

I am horrified and sickened by the email I have just received and I'm sure you will be too. I would much rather post cute pictures of greyhounds than the information I received but unfortunately sick individuals keep me busy instead. We have to stop the greyhound slaughter now and lend our voice to those fighting hard to stop such greyhound cruelty being carried out.

Below is the exact information I was sent through via email. I have not reworded it for effect but nor am I pulling any punches. Again, this is yet another reson why we have to stop the greyhound slaughter now!

GREYHOUNDS KILLED AT PETERBOROUGH STADIUM

One dog put to death for playing. Another breaks his neck in race. Volunteers needed for campaign against track

Greyhound Action has received inside information about two recent appalling incidents involving the deaths of greyhounds at Peterborough Stadium.

On Thursday, July 3rd, during a trial race, a young greyhound, called Milo Blackbird, tried to play with the other dogs instead of chasing after the mechanical hare. The greyhound's owner/trainer, John Reid, took him straight to the track vet and had him "put down".

On Saturday, July 12th, in the second race of the evening, a 4½ year old greyhound, called He's A Cheetah, hit the rails on the first bend and broke his neck. He was carried lifeless from the track with blood pouring from his mouth.

After confiming that the information received was true, we issued a press release to the local media, which was taken up by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and featured in their early morning news programme last Friday (July 18th).

During the programme, one of the news reporters interviewed a man who said he had witnessed the horrific death of He's A Cheetah. The gentleman in question said he had been a fairly regular visitor to dog tracks, but had begun to have serious misgivings, after becoming aware of the large number of greyhounds that get put to death, and had now come to the conclusion that the dog racing industry should be done away with. One greyhound trainer he had spoken to described the Peterborough
track as a "death trap".

Demonstrations outside Peterborough Stadium are currently taking place every few weeks (Especially in view of these latest incidents, we would like to
increase the frequency of the demos, but need more local volunteers in order to do so. So, if you live anywhere near Peterborough and would be interested in taking part in protests/leafletting against dog racing there, please contact Greyhound Action at info@greyhoundaction.org.uk or on 01562 700 043.

Spreading The Word About Greyhound Rescue

First of all, thank you to everyone that has taken the time to check in here and lend their voice to the fight against greyhound slaughter. It is an extremely worthy cause to be a part of, especially if rasiing awareness means that even one greyhound is spared the horrors of having his or her ears cut off or slaughtered in the most inhumane manner.

I have been continuously looking for ways to spread the word about greyhounds, to encourage people to adopt them and to ensure that everyone knows about what is happening to them. One of the latest ways I have found of promoting them is via an article database. If you would like to show support for the greyhound and spread the word about them then take a look at my profile. You can find links to the articles there. Alternatively,you can go directly to one of the articles: The Work Of Greyhound Rescues.

Feel free to use the share button on the article to send it to anyone that you feel might want to read it. Add your comments and support the greyhound!

Another Horror Story...

It never fails to amaze me that, despite repeated reports of greyhound slaughter and greyhound abuse, owners and trainers continue to dispose of "unfit" greyhounds for research purposes and expect to get away with it. Daniel Foggo of UK newspaper The Times has uncovered yet another kennels that sells perfectly healthy greyhounds to a research facility for £30, and sometimes actually gives them away, to be dissected.

This time it is the University of Liverpool that is accepting the "gift". What was the problem with the greyhounds that were sold? They were too slow for the tracks and therefore could not make their owners money.

This greyhound abuse has got to stop! How many more perfectly healthy animals have to be put down for no apparent reason before something is done about it? You can find the full article here.

The breeder mentioned, Mr Pickering, gives away his greyhounds for slaughter when they are as young as one year old. Please read this article on greyhound abuse and pass on the link. The more people that are educated the better!

In Memory Of Rusty

Something different for today's blog is definitely in order as a result of an eventthat occurred four years ago. A greyhound called Rusty was found barely alive in the Welsh mountains after being tourtured and shot after sustaining a toe injury that meant his greyhound racing career was over. Rusty is one of many, but he touched the hearts of all greyhound lovers that knew him or heard his story.

As such, he deserves a fitting memorial. This poem that was sent through to me by Trudy at Greytexploitations fits the bill perfectly. It is by Sue Stoddart and tells you everything you need, but probably don't want, to know:

His owners paid ten pounds to end poor Rusty's life,
His killer took the money, he didn't think twice.
He was raced three times that week with an injured toe,
Because of the injury, his racing times were slow.
His owners said, "get rid of him we can't do with this",
The trainer said "just leave him here, I will do the biz".
Poor trusting Rusty went along with this man,
He thought he was going home, and jumped into the van.
Little did he know this was to be his last day,
And that his poor mutilated body was to be dumped so far away.
With both his ears hacked off, a crude bolt gun to his head,
His killer turned his back, and left poor Rusty for dead.
A lonely walker found him lying in the grass,
It was poor Rusty's whimpering that stopped him walking past.
In spite of his misery and injuries he still continued to wag his tail,
Not once did he show aggression, or even admit a wail.
Even now he still showed trust in the human race,
The vet shook his head sadly, as he looked at Rusty's gentle face.
So the vet inserted the needle, that would end Rusty's suffering at last,
He knew his abuse was over, he would not have to remember his past.
But your death will not be in vain dear Rusty; we will keep your memory alive,
And your murderer has been caught and punished, and brought to the public eye.
So rest well dear Rusty, free from suffering and pain,
No more will you know abuse, or ever race again.

*Dedicated to Rusty, who was mutilated by Andrew Gough and left to die on a lonely welsh mountain on the 4th April 2004

You can find the full story at Stop The Greyhound Slaughter, but be warned that it does make for extremely gruesome reading in places.

BREAKING NEWS: The Slaughter Of Healthy Greyhounds

This post is for all of those of you out there that refuse to believe that healthy greyhounds are slaughtered every year for no apparent reason. For those who dismiss my blog as filled with lies. And for those of you that need a little motivation to add your voice to mine and the people that have already joined the fight against these murderers.

Daniel Foggo is a renowned journalist in the UK. He broke the story about the slaughter house for greyhounds up North last year and exposed the guy who ran it for what he was. That man has since been jailed. Now Foggo has a different story to tell, which is just as alarming and outraging.

The Essex Greyhoud Clinic, which is nown for its treatment of greyhounds in the UK, apparently destroys healthy greyhounds for no other reason than they can make £30 per greyhound body part by selling the corpses to the Royal Veterinary Clinic, one of the oldest and most prestigious colleges in the country. This is not old and ill greyhounds we are talking about. This is not those dogs that have cancer or another serious problem so that we should put them out of their misery. No, it is PERFECTLY HEALTHY YOUNG DOGS that still have a lot to give.

Perfectly healthy greyhounds being killed for body parts is a common practice in the Far East but I never thought that I'd read anything this disturbing about the UK. I knew greyhound slaughter occurred but not for profit. This most definitely constitutes murder, don't you think?!

The RSPCA released this comment after the story broke:

“We are shocked by this evidence which appears to show an opening for greyhounds to be systematically destroyed for profit. We certainly would not like to think that there was a financial incentive to ending a pet’s life.”

You can read the full story at this Times Online link. Please then return to this site to sign the petition linked on the right sidebar and add your voice to the struggle against these people. Unfortunately, money talks but then so do we and we speak long enough and loud enough maybe someone will listen. One day, they will have to.

A Greyhound Tale: Speedy Sam

The tote board gave odds of 20:1 for “Speedy Sam”. Sadly for Sam, this wasn´t an accurate figure. In reality, the odds were stacked against him and he was faced with a gamble he just couldn´t win.

Four years old; in pain from his previous untreated injuries his racing days almost at an end, Sam trailed in behind the field. Sam had become a “dead cert” and the key word here was “dead”.

No longer fast enough to race against the younger, stronger, fitter dogs, and not wanted by his owner as a pet, Sam was put to sleep. And he was one of the lucky ones. He was killed humanely.

For most ex-racing greyhounds, the reality is :

*Too slow to race in the registered sector, the dogs are sold on to sometimes unscrupulous owners in the unregulated independent sector.

*Some greyhounds are kept in appalling conditions, and the dogs are only let out to race.

*Injured dogs may be given painkillers to mask the pain, and forced to run regardless.

*An injured dog is just one step away from abandonment or slaughter. Shooting, drowning and starvation are popular methods of disposal.

*Dogs are killed simply because they can no longer run fast enough.

*The life expectancy of a greyhound is less than any other breed. And belive me, they don´t die of natural causes.

*If a puppy does not show promise, it can be killed when it is as young as 12 weeks old.

What can you do to protest about these unjust odds, and help to turn every greyhound into a winner?

Gorgeous Greyhounds, Perfect Pets.

Have you ever considered making room in your home for one of the thousands of ex-racing dogs needlessly killed each year? Greyhounds make wonderful family pets, and despite a common misconception that they need a lot of exercise, they are actually the fastest “couch potatoes” on the planet!

Greyhounds are sprinters, so can run at speeds of up to 40 mph, but only in short bursts. And by the time you rescue one, chances are that it will have run it´s little legs off! This means that for the vast majority of greyhounds, the retirement plan is relax, eat, sleep, relax, sleep some more.... well, you get the picture.
Here are some reasons to bring a greyhound into your life:

· They are gentle and friendly dogs, with a placid nature. Although caution is needed with fast-moving small animals ( cats, squirrels..), many greyhounds are successfully rehomed with cats.
· Two short walks a day on the lead is all that your new “best friend” will need.
· They make ideal dogs for older people.
· Greyhounds don´t tend to bark much. Your neighbours will love them ( so will the burglars)
· Most greyhounds are good with children
· They have short, odourless coats, making the breed more suitable for people who are allergic to other dogs.
· If you rescue a greyhound it will repay you a thousand times over with love, loyalty and affection.

Even if you feel you can´t offer a home to a greyhound right now, there are other ways that you can help make a difference to the thousands of dogs who are mistreated, abandoned and brutally killed each year. And when you do have room in your life for one of these wonderful dogs, remember, somewhere out there is a greyhound with your name on it!

Inspiration To Action

The chances are you will be out enjoying yourself at the start of 2008, and so you should be! After all, life is short so every new year should be celebrated with friends and family... but just spare a quick thought for the greyhound. As we celebrate life, the conditions that they live in do not give them much of one at all.

Greyhounds are required to produce as many puppies as possible if they are used for reproduction. From there, the puppies are fed the cheapest, worst food available. However, some do not get to sample it for long at all because any puppy that does not have what it takes to win races will be killed. This can happen at any point, and at any age. There is no information available about the number of slaughtered puppies, but estimates place it around the same figure, meaning that 40,000 are slaughtered every year, and that is in one country alone.

Education is the most powerful tool you can wield in an effort to end greyhound racing and the industry's cruel treatment of the animals that keep the industry going. They owe the dogs so much and yet deliver so little in return. All they want is love and a good home to relax in. Tell your friends about this blog, look up a few articles and email them on! Just spread the word and make 2008 a better year for the greyhound!

Happy New Year people, have a good one!

Something To Think About In 2008

This is text from a petition I set up quite a while ago now to try and draw attention to the plight of the greyhound and I thought it was a good a place as any to start this blog!

FACT: Greyhound racing is not a regulated sport in that when greyhounds retire, the owners are free to do whatever they want with them.

FACT: The greyhound life expectancy is lower than any other breed, and not as a result of natural causes.

FACT: In the UK alone, 40,000 greyhounds are needlessly slaughtered every year.

FACT: These practices occur in Australia, Sweden, the USA, the UK, France, Germany, South Korea, Ireland, Spain, China and countless other countries aroud the world.

FACT: Puppies that are not good enough to race are mindlessly slaughtered before their first birthday.

Greyhound racing is carried out for the entertainment of millions all over the world. We marvel at the beautiful and yet powerful creatures when they race around a track, and yet they apparently have no real value to us.

We as a race should be looking after their welfare when they retire, as we do the elderly members amongst us. After retirement age, people tend to live quiet and happy lives, watching their families grow up and expand, but that is not the case with greyhounds.

When they have fulfilled their apparent duty, we dispose of them as if they were no more than household rubbish.

In others words, when they are no longer useful and cannot do something for us, we brutally slaughter them. At age four or five, many greyhounds are dead and the blood is on our hands.

After all, would you brutally murder your relatives when they pass retirement age and can no longer earn money?

No? Didn't think so, so why are we allowing this inhumane and unbelievably cruel practice to continue?

It is time to stop this mindless violence and give one of the most gentle and loving breeds on Earth a chance to live.



This petition is still going and will be sent to various governments around the world as well as sporting bodies in March 2008 if we have enough signatures by then, so please add your signature today if you care enough to do so.

For The Love Of The Greyhound!

It was a little over 18 months ago when I first laid eyes on Molly.

She was a gorgeous black and white, if a little nervous, greyhound. My husband and I had gone to pick her up from her trainer because she had recently retired. Her trainer, a lovely woman called Mary, never allowed one of her greyhounds to be put to sleep on retirement and always found them good homes to go to. We were to provide Molly's good home and boy am I glad we did!

Molly is the best dog a girl could ever have. She's loyal, loving, sweet and no trouble at all... as long as she gets her 20 hours of sleep a day, as per greyhound rules! She does have a penchant for bolting through an open front door if she has the chance though!

I have to say that Molly has opened my eyes in more ways than one. Before we had her I had no idea just what happened to greyhounds after they retire from the track. However, over the past year or so I have cried over articles more than once. More specifically, those that detail the mass greyhound slaughter that goes on around the world. I am determind to help these beautiful creatures in some way... and this is step three.

More on steps one and two later but thank you for reading. Stick with me on this one because there is much more to come!!!