MUSHROOM
For those of you who are kept in the dark and fed on ????
Welcome to Mushroom, the ALTERNATIVE RGT newsletter
You are receiving this newsletter because you care about ex racing greyhounds and their welfare, but more importantly, because you support the Racing Industry. I'm sure that all of you are passionate and devoted to your ex racers. So much so, that you don't have time to get caught up in the Greyhound Racing debate. Well, we would like to give you an insight, some facts and figures, so that you can make an informed decision on whether to continue supporting the Industry and the RGT or to run your Rescue Centre independently.
Fact 1
Before you are even asked to kennel one of the 10,000+ annually retired racing greyhounds, a large percentage of them will have been PTS for one of the reasons that the Industry finds acceptable. Such as:-
UNSUITABLE AS A PET
INJURY NOT TREATED ON ECONOMIC GROUNDS
NO HOME OR RETIREMENT PLACE COULD BE FOUND
Do you find these acceptable reasons to dispose of a greyhound?
Are you happy supporting the Industry that does?
Fact 2
The British Greyhound Racing Board knows what happens to each greyhound upon retirement and how many are unaccounted for via their Retirement Forms.
The RGT branches and their volunteers claim to have re-homed nearly 4,000 greyhounds in 2006. A wonderful achievement yet the Industry will not make public statistics for the remaining 6,000+ annually retired greyhounds.
Do you think they have something to hide?
Are you happy supporting an Industry that is clearly deceitful regarding the fate of their greyhounds?
Fact 3
Lord Lipsey claimed at the beginning of 2007 that this year would be a Make or break year for the Racing Industry and further stated that by the middle of 2007 the Racing Industry would be in a much more defensible welfare position. Finding themselves in a much more ?defensible welfare position the RGT then planned
to make extensive cuts in the numbers of kennelled greyhounds by 31st August 2007.
Do you think they have been using you, the volunteers to project good re-homing figures?
Are you happy to continue to support an Industry that shows so little gratitude to its supporters?
http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=ZykPOX9ncgY
Fact 4
In 2006, The British Greyhound Racing Board received a donation of £100,000 at its disposal to award grants to Independent Greyhound Rescue Centres
Of that £100,000. 2 commercial kennels received grants of £2,000 each, 3 greyhound trainers received grants of £5,000 each, one RGT branch received a grant of £5,000 and a Deborah Mullins(Essex) received £5,000. Only 71% of the remaining fund went to established/Independent Rescue Centres.
Do you think it's fair that nearly £30,000 was allocated to Commercial kennels, Greyhound Trainers, a new RGT branch and a Ms Deborah Mullins?
Are you happy supporting an Industry that diverts grants back into its Commercial Sector, when it is intended for hard working, volunteer run Charitable Rescue Centres that are far more cost effective?
http://thedogs.co.uk/index.php?m=aid&id=268
Fact 5
In July alone, the National Greyhound Racing Club held 5 Stewards Inquiries regarding drug incidents and a further 9 into ?enhanced/decreased performances.
The vast majority of the trainers received only a caution or small fine.
Do you think it's fair to abuse greyhounds for pure financial gain?
Are you happy to support an Industry that tolerates cheats?
http://www.ngrc.org.uk/rec_inquiries.asp?cat=6&page=242
Fact 6
During 2006, the British Greyhound Racing Fund
awarded over £11 million in grants. More than 36% (£3 million) to support Prize Money, just over 18% (£2 million) to refurbish Racing Stadiums and 13% (£1.5 million) being given to the RGT.
Do you think it's fair that Prize Money should be increased for the elite few winners and restaurants should be fitted with plush surroundings, whilst there are still huge waiting lists of retired losing greyhounds to be re-homed?
Are you happy continuing to support an Industry who considers Prize Money and luxuries priority over greyhound welfare?
http://www.bgrf.org.uk/expenditure.asp
IN OUR HUMBLE OPINION The Racing Industry has never been responsible in its attitude to Greyhound Welfare. It has only been since the The Times exposure of greyhounds being slaughtered on a massive scale at Seaham, did the Industry bow to public pressure and commence a PR campaign to win public confidence by publicising increased funding to the RGT. The Industry did not suddenly find themselves guilt ridden neither did they voluntarily introduce welfare improvements, the Industry were forced into such by the public. If you sincerely care for the long term welfare of ex racing greyhounds, then become independent and have the freedom to make greyhound welfare priority.
No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow.
Please feel free to contact the editor with your concerns, comments or even defence of the Racing Industry.
***News Flash***
The British Greyhound Racing Board has just announced an extra £150,000 is to be allocated in prize money to trainers and owners!!!