A protest has been held to petition for the rights of greyhounds.

Dog-lovers gathered outside Poole Stadium to campaign against cruelty to ex-racing dogs armed with banners and placards.

They were fighting against greyhounds being exported to China, to the notorious Canidrome stadium.

Sandi Ridge, who led the demonstration, said: "These sensitive dogs are destined to suffer a life of misery and certain death at what has been condemned as the world's deadliest dog racing track.

"Every single dog sent there, will die there."

Ms Ridge, a member of the Dorset Galgos and Dorset Against Blood Sports, added: "So many people who go to races have no idea what happens to them at the end of their racing lives. This is a petition against their exportation to China.

"They are raced at that track every night of the week and if the dog doesn't come within the first three then it gets destroyed or given to the Chinese meat market.

"It's basically a death sentence.

"We want to raise awareness of what is happening over there. It's an extra problem we're facing in the greyhound world."

Ms Ridge said it was just another episode in a long line of cruelty to greyhounds, making reference to Rusty who, in May 2004, was found dying on a hillside in Wales. After he'd been shot, his ears were removed to hide his racing tattoos so that he wouldn't be identified.

Sandi owns rescue greyhound Minty.

"The majority are just abandoned," she said, speaking of her beloved canine. "[Minty] was 24 hours from being put to sleep after he was rescued.

"Sadly nowadays it's mainly about the money they can make people."

Bosses at Poole Stadium had been contacted for comment but had not responded, at the time of going to press.