I write to draw readers’ attention to Greyhound Awareness Week, May 22-30.

Many of the public are not aware of the cruelties of the greyhound industry and I myself have attended the greyhound track as part of a Christmas celebration works outing.

On the face of it, the dogs love to run and it all seems very innocent. However, the realities of the lives of these greyhounds are appalling. Thousands of greyhounds are bred each year for this industry but many do not make the grade and Greyhound Action estimates that more than 12,000 of these dogs are put down each year.

Those which do make the track face the risk serious and sometimes fatal injuries while racing.

Then, at the end of their useful economic lives, many dogs simply ‘disappear’.

Many states in the USA are leading the way in banning greyhound racing and I am sure readers would condemn the greyhound industry if they were fully informed.

Needless to say, I will never attend a greyhound track again.

For more information please visit greyhoundaction.org.uk.

BARBARA PARKER, Rushcombe Way, Corfe Mullen