RACING at a greyhound monitor in Ystrad Mynach should cease instantly over animal welfare considerations.
That is the view of a coalition of animal welfare organisations, who’ve despatched an open latter to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) concerning Ystrad Mynach’s Valley Greyhound Stadium.
The open letter has been signed by the Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Hope Rescue and the RSPCA – following the primary occasion to happen on the stadium since its remit fell beneath GBGB’s auspices.
Back in July, there were concerns raised over plans to extend the stadium.
Previously, the Valley Stadium was an impartial monitor, however is now regulated by GBGB, and is Wales’ final remaining greyhound racing course.
Concerns from the coalition have been raised in an open letter to GBGB, following gross sales trials which occurred on the monitor on August 22.
This was simply simply days earlier than the business marked the recently-finished ‘National Greyhound Week’ (August 28 to September 3).
Information shared with the coalition, and observations from a reside stream, has resulted within the publication of the open letter over concern that dogs had been at vital threat of significant harm through the occasion.
At least two dogs had been carried off the monitor, the coalition report, with one canine – ‘Know the Danger’ – reportedly severely injured and withdrawn from sale after a collision.
They report quite a few dogs “struggling to maintain their footing, operating into one another, or hitting the wall”.
“There are considerations that the design of the monitor – together with a long term as much as the primary sharp bend – amplifies the chance to dogs competing,” the coalition say.
In the open letter, the coalition says: “Members of the coalition have, for many years, been raising concerns about the safety of this racetrack and once again, the track has proven these concerns to be more than justified.
“The coalition’s fears as to the fate of future dogs racing on the track are shared also by some in the racing industry with suggestions that the racetrack is unsuitable for larger dogs and six dog races.
“Given these issues, we are urging GBGB to cease all trials and racing at the Valleys until the welfare of all dogs can be better protected and that, as an absolute minimum, the racetrack is redesigned to significantly reduce the risks of death and serious injury.”
The coalition helps the phasing out of greyhound racing – and say they welcome strikes from the Welsh Government to seek the advice of on its future, together with an choice to part out greyhound racing in Wales.
Valley Greyhound Stadium had been contacted for remark.
