May 23-30 is Greyhound Awareness Week, when events are held across the UK to draw public attention to the plight of greyhounds.
According to international greyhound protection organisation Greyhound Action, as many as 15,000 greyhounds, bred for the British racing industry, are put down every year, after failing to make the grade as racers or when their careers on the tracks come to an end.
An RSPCA report on greyhound racing has stated that at least 20 greyhounds a day – either puppies which do not make the track, or retired dogs aged three or four – simply “disappear”, presumed killed.
In addition, a large number of greyhounds sustain serious, sometimes fatal, injuries while racing.
Members of the public can help put an end to this horrific situation by not attending dog tracks or betting on greyhound racing, so this appalling industry fades away through lack of financial support.
SHEILA DANIEL, Stamford Road, Bournemouth
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