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| The League Against Cruel Sports, a charity who are opposed to bull fighting are finally ready to hear the public's views on the future of greyhound racing.
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The League works hard to
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animals used in sport. Their most notable success was in 2005 when they were the driving force behind the fox hunting ban. In recent years their main focus has been on bull fighting.
The League have been slow to condemn commercial greyhound racing, however they have recently indicated that they are ready to listen to what the public has to say on the issue. The SPCRA would be delighted to welcome the League to become an official endorsee of the Racing Dog Protection Act. Please ask the League to support the RDPA.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Racing Animals (SPCRA) has always maintained that there is very little difference between how the business of bull fighting and greyhound racing operate. This was also acknowledged by sociologists Michael Atkinson and Kevin Young; who wrote in the International Review for the Sociology of Sport (2005) that in both greyhound racing and bullfighting the co-operative endeavours of those involved come together to produce and rationalize violence against bulls and greyhounds. In other words both the killing of the bull and discarding of the greyhound at the end of his/hers racing career are only one aspect of the cruelty. Read more about the cruelty factors.
Addie Patricia Asay also made the following extremely insightful observation:
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“Greyhound racing in a similar way to animal fighting results in an extravagant waste of life. So it seems inconsistent for society to view this sport any differently than animal-fighting activities. “ [1]
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In animal welfare terms, what is the difference?
[1] Stetson Law Review: Greyhounds: Racing to their deaths (2003) |
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| Fantastic result for RDPA |
22nd July 09
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Defra’s consultation on the future of greyhound racing received over 2,500 responses. An overwhelming majority of Defra consultees support the Racing Dog Protection Act. |
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Defra’s consultation on the future of greyhound racing received over 2,500 responses. 1,700, or 68%, of these were sent via this website and were in support of a ban on betting on greyhound racing.
The SPCRA team would like to sincerely thank everyone for their support. It was essential that a clear message was sent to Defra that the current situation is unacceptable – with your help we have done this.
Please continue to show your support by signing the Downing street petition to outlaw betting on greyhound racing. |
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Shocking new evidence on greyhound injuries
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| 18th July 09 |
Government colludes with greyhound racing industry to keep deaths and injuries secret |
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On July 16th a victim of the greyhound racing industry called on the offices of Defra on to draw attention to the high rate of injuries and mortality which occur on UK tracks. The greyhound, Taya, was accompanied by members of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Racing Animals (SPCRA), who are demanding an end to the government’s shameful collusion with the industry in covering up large-scale death and suffering.
The crucial new government consultation on greyhound racing closes on 22nd July. The proposed legislation makes clear that the future publication of data on greyhound deaths and injuries is not even under consideration. Meanwhile, a new analysis – conducted by the SPCRA and based on race results – indicates that approximately 4,000 greyhounds suffer racing injuries every year. Many of the casualties are soon killed as they are no longer able to make a profit for their owner.
Under the 2006 Animal Welfare Act it is the responsibility of the owner of an animal to protect it from pain, suffering and injury. This new evidence uncovered by the SPCRA suggests that greyhound racing is in clear breach of this requirement.
The SPCRA are currently compiling a report with details of injured dogs which will be presented to the greyhound racing industry. The question will then be asked as to the current whereabouts of the dogs.
With just days remaining until the end of the consultation time is running out. For more details and a sample message please go to our consultation response page. |
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Dog Racing Ends in New Hampshire USA!
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| 4th July 09 |
This week, the last two remaining dog tracks in New Hampshire announced that they are ending greyhound racing, effective immediately. |
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Under a new law passed as part of the state budget, the tracks will be able to continue gambling on virtual races without live racing. Live greyhound racing is no longer profitable but virtual racing allows the betting to continue at a much lower cost to the tracks. This breakthrough comes after years of campaigning by GREY2K USA, the group who were responsible for the recent ban on greyhound racing in Massachussets. Read more.
This success story demonstrates that virtual racing can present a commercially viable welfare friendly alternative to conventional racing. Virtual races are already broadcast in betting shops in the UK. With profits from live racing dwindling there is an opportunity to increase the use of this technology and end live dog racing.
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WSPA supports the campaign
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| 22 June 09 |
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WSPA have heard the evidence and decided to unequivocally support the Racing Dog Protection Act.
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is the world’s largest alliance of animal welfare organisations. It is active in over 150 countries with more than 1000 member societies. WSPA is the only animal welfare organisation to have consultative status at the United Nations and the Council of Europe.
In their statement of support for the Racing Dog Protection Act they explained their main reasons for opposing commercial racing:
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"WSPA is opposed to the use of animals in sport or for entertainment when such use is contrary to the animals' nature, or may involve suffering or adversely affect the animals' welfare. Commercial greyhound racing is an industry driven by financial profit and entertainment, largely at the expense of the welfare of greyhounds. There are inherent characteristics of commercial greyhound racing that are simply incompatible with animal welfare..." |
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WSPA's endorsement represents a major breakthrough. It is the first time that a large UK Animal Welfare charity has spoken out publicly against commercial greyhound racing. Please take action now and urge the League Against Cruel Sports to support the Act.
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PETA Europe 
Djurens Rätt (Sweden) 
FCI (Int) 
FAACE (UK) 
Animals Count (UK)
