This week, 26th August - 1st September 2024, is National Greyhound Week, an initiative by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) to promote greyhound racing to new spectators and families in particular. This marketing publicity is contrasted on social media with the hashtag #NationalRescueGreyhoundWeek, aiming to draw attention to the many greyhounds who have entered rescue and rehoming centres after retiring from racing.
By AngMoKio - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12609273
Here at Brain behind the Bark in Buckingham, I live in the middle between two major greyhound race tracks. One is at Towcester to the east and the other at Oxford to the west. A third, at Swindon, is not too far away. Those who know me know that I strongly dislike the exploitation of animals for entertainment and sport. This includes horse racing, show jumping and dressage as well as greyhound racing. I haven't been to a circus with animals since I was a child and haven't attended a show with orcas or dolphins performing for entertainment for many, many years. I do not go on holidays where elephant rides are on offer and have never ridden a camel or a donkey at a holiday destination. I also have my reservations about 'educational' bird of prey flight shows at wildlife parks and the like.
The proximity of the above two greyhound tracks to where I live makes me particularly aware of the journey these racing greyhounds take. I adore this elegant, gentle breed and as a dog lover I care about their welfare. I follow several ex-racing greyhounds in loving homes on social media, where I hear first hand from their humans about their dogs' health and psychological state. Although the GBGB continues to emphasise the welfare of the dogs and the safety of their tracks, rescues often welcome ex-racing greyhounds that tell a different story. Many dogs show scars, both physical and psychological. Some suffer from injuries, both old and new, some are underweight, many have poor dental health, while most struggle with life outside racing kennels. That's why I support greyhound rescues that take an active stand and are openly anti-racing, such as Forever Hounds Trust in Devon.
I was pleased when the Towcester racetrack was put up for sale in 2004. I never liked the place anyway and thought its racing days were over. There was talk of houses being built but somehow things turned around and racing continued under new ownership. Sadly, in December 2014 a new greyhound track was opened at the site, the first to be opened in Britain since 1995. I remember how angry and disappointed I was about these developments back then, I always thought that greyhound racing should be phased out and not new tracks be opened! In 2018 the track was put into administration and there was hope that greyhound racing would stop. However, in 2019 the track was sold and racing recommenced in 2020. The track now hosts the English Greyhound Derby and is among, if not the premier site for the sport in the country.
Towcester - By Racingmanager - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49506134
My heart sank even further when I heard that the historic Oxford stadium which had closed in 2012 was due to reopen for greyhound racing in late 2022. At the time, I was already on my way to become a dog professional, and I am proud to say I was one of the many people who signed a petition to Oxford City Council to not open the track again. Disappointingly, despite many protests, the City Council went ahead with their plans. I still can't understand how this city of learning where I once taught myself can justify this decision.
Oxford - By Racingmanager - Photographs taken on site, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52399100
Both Towcester and Oxford are under the same ownership and claim to be among the most modern greyhound racetracks in the country, featuring improved track surfaces, modern kennel facilities and the like. However, as someone who lives near these tracks I know that greyhounds are still raced there in above average temperatures, adverse weather conditions and during fireworks, and I hear of faulty traps, injuries and illegal substances again and again.
That's why I decided to take my support of ex-racing greyhounds to the next level and undertake further training with the wonderful Without Worry Canine Education who offer a specialised CPD course for professionals who want to support anyone interested in or already living with an ex-racing greyhound. The course is professionally assessed by greyhound specialist JW Canine Care and equips canine behaviourists with a comprehensive skills set to support adopters of this special breed. As a behaviour consultant business that specialises in rescue dogs I am excited to have added another string to my bow and offer help and advice to greyhound lovers everywhere.
If you need help with your ex-racing greyhound don't hesitate to get in touch. Let's work together. I offer support both face-to-face or online.
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