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The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and different charities have put their weight behind a marketing campaign to cease greyhound racing within the UK. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
Three charities demand ban
Three of the UK’s most high-profile animal welfare charities have known as for an finish to the nation’s long-established sport of greyhound racing.
The Greyhound Board of Nice Britain (GBGB) has dubbed Tuesday’s assertion as “misguided” and “totally irresponsible.” The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), took to Twitter with a marketing campaign advert endorsed by fellow charities Blue Cross and Canines Belief:
The co-campaigners desire a greyhound racing ban “introduced as quickly as potential” with a view to halt what the charities name the “pointless and utterly preventable deaths of lots of of canine yearly.”
In a press release signed by each GBGB’s chair and its CEO, the physique slammed the proposals as exhibiting “the true agenda of animal rights extremists who maintain substantial sway over your organisations.”
Ought to the charities get their want, it’ll carry the curtain down on a sport that grew quick in recognition after its debut race in Manchester in 1926.
Counter arguments
In Tuesday’s assertion, the RSPCA cited the GBGB’s own data that “over 2,000 greyhounds died and practically 18,000 accidents had been recorded from greyhound racing between 2018 and 2021.”
In response, GBGB CEO Mark Chook stated welfare requirements within the sport have “improved dramatically over the past four years.” The CEO referenced the GBGB’s Greyhound Dedication initiative which, he stated, “has seen nationwide monitor fatalities already diminished by half from 0.06% in 2018 to 0.03% in 2021.”
There’s a transparent sense of shock and betrayal within the GBGB’s open letter response to the three charities, accusing the trio of going “from working with us […] to working in opposition to us.” The GBGB additionally stated the three charities have, till now, “welcomed and supported the numerous steps now we have taken in guaranteeing animal welfare sits on the coronary heart of out sport.”
highlighted issues equivalent to greyhounds racing in “excessive climate situations”
In a rustic of canine lovers, the three charities’ marketing campaign will little question elevate nationwide debate. The RSPCA assertion additionally highlighted issues equivalent to greyhounds racing in “excessive climate situations,” poor residing situations for the canine, and issues round transporting the greyhounds to and from race venues.
So as to add insult to damage, the trio fired a wider broadside, accusing the game of non-transparent trade practices, citing points with regulatory enforcement, and bemoaning a barrier to enchancment attributable to an absence of a “constant supply of earnings” for the sector.
Horseracing, fishing subsequent?
Professor Madeleine Campbell, writer of A Good Life for Each Greyhound, believes that the GBGB’s welfare method is “world class”, citing experience and enter from specialists, vets, teachers, and animal welfare consultants.
As a warning shot, the GBGB stated the charities’ assertion will concern individuals who love sports activities like fishing, canine agility, horseracing, and present leaping, putting them on alert that their sport will probably be subsequent.