Greyhounds Hit The Town!

Irish greyhounds and dogs of all breeds with their owners will be meeting in Dublin City Centre for the first “Walk for the Greyhounds”, which has been organised to promote greyhounds as family pets.

Hundreds of two legged and four legged walkers are expected from all over Ireland, the UK, and other European countries. Walkers will meet on Sunday June 19th at 12 noon, near the Fusilliers Arch at St Stephen’s Green. The walk which will start at 1pm is just over two kilometres through the centre of Dublin.

The Walk has been organised by the Greyhound Rescue Association of Ireland (GRAI). GRAI, is made up of thirteen Irish charities involved in rescuing and re-homing former racing greyhounds.

A spokesperson for the Association said: “The walk was prompted by the Irish Greyhound Board plans to support the development of greyhound racing in China. We believe that they should concentrate on addressing the serious greyhound welfare problems that exist here rather than promoting racing in a country with a notoriously poor record on animal welfare.

“This peaceful walk is a much needed “first” for Ireland. All over the World, people are aware that greyhounds make wonderful family pets. In Ireland too we know there are many owners of racing greyhounds who love their dogs and who take good care of them when they retire. However, far too often they are treated as a commodity with thousands discarded or destroyed every year, when they are no longer able to win races.

“Last year over 650 were destroyed in Irish council pounds alone, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Hundreds of other greyhounds are disposed of by their owners or simply given away thoughtlessly to people who may later abandon them. Large numbers of puppies and young greyhounds bred for racing also just “disappear” before they ever see a race-track because they are too slow or do not have chase instinct.”

They continued: “If it were Labradors or King Charles Spaniels meeting their deaths in their thousands there would be a public outcry and so there should be over greyhounds.

“By walking through our capital city with rescued greyhounds alongside other much loved

family pets we want to make the point that greyhounds are sentient creatures too who deserve a life when they retire from racing. Greyhounds are very gentle, good with children, generally get on well with other dogs, and they make wonderful family pets.

We hope that hundreds of dog lovers will join in and create an unforgettable event that will drive home the message that greyhounds deserve a life after racing.”

(BMcN/KMcA)