New voice for the greyhound? The Greyhounds' Voice is a new organisation set up to address the growing problem of greyhound welfare, and also the concerns of the sport as a whole. Today the Racing Post reproduces the committee's introduction and a precis version of the report it submitted to a Parliamentary committee.

THE Greyhounds' Voice was formed during August 2006 in the wake of the 'Seaham' article by the Sunday Times. In a short period of time the Greyhounds' Voice has enjoyed significant media attention with regular articles in the racing press, an interview by our Chair on Sky Sports and regular discussion and a planned appearance by our Chair on greyhound racing's sky digital channel 854. We feel that our committee represents the most experienced and knowledgeable committee probably ever assembled at 'grass roots' level to comment and advise on greyhound welfare issues.

The whole committee are volunteers who give up their time free of charge because, as one, we believe we can help with the greyhound welfare issue. We passionately love our greyhounds and we will do all in our power to improve the lot of the racing greyhound.

The committee was formed as a direct result of the Seaham article. We feel that that the facts as reported in the Sunday Times were sensationalised by the journalist. We doubt very much that the figures quoted in any way represent the facts or indeed that the facility was restricted to just greyhounds. This is mentioned in the interest of both truth and balance.

In the opinion of Greyhounds' Voice, there clearly were abhorrent practices taking place in Seaham involving greyhounds. If one greyhound met with his or her fate in this way then this is one too many.

In addition to the activities in Seaham, we as a committee feel that there are many other current practices and activities involved in greyhound racing, some commercially driven, which should be radically changed for the good of greyhound welfare and, indeed, greyhound racing as a sport. We deal with these points within this report.

1 VETERINARY ASPECTS AS THEY RELATE TO GREYHOUND WELFARE

1.1 Vets should not be employed by tracks, they should be independent.

1.2 The vet should walk the track before every race meeting or trial session with the racing manager (and possibly head groundsman) to ensure that the surface is fit to race.

1.3 Every track's vet room should have an x-ray machine

1.3.1 Currently, if a dog breaks a limb or sustains a serious injury it is normally strapped up, given painkillers and the trainer has to take it to his own vet the next day. This may involve great discomfort for the dog either in transit or/and overnight. If the dog were x-rayed straight away, a quick decision could be made with regard to treatment, saving a lot of distress to the animal.

2 THE STRUCTURE, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF GREYHOUND RACING

2.1 We would recommend the formation of a new greyhound welfare body, distinct from both the NGRC and the BGRB, whose role is to agree and administer reform, to monitor and stringently police all aspects of greyhound welfare from the birth of the greyhound to their becoming pets. All tracks, owners and trainers must adhere to their welfare rules and regulations.

2.1.3 This body would have overall control of all areas of greyhound welfare to ensure that the greyhounds' welfare is paramount.

2.1.4 This body would assume various roles including the employment of vets, the handling of all finances relating to greyhound welfare, to liaise with and help trainers who have had dogs left with them by uncaring owners and to monitor and police many of the proposals contained in this report.

2.1.5 This body would have the final say as to whether tracks are awarded or deducted race meetings, the decision to be based on the particular track's record and facilities in relation to welfare and greyhound re-homing matters.

As an alternative method, restricted funding could be used as a deterrent to prevent excessive racing.

2.1.6 This body to conduct random audits of all tracks' surface/track preparation and all welfare related provisions.

2.4 NGRC Rule 18 permits euthanasia if other re-homing options are not available to the owner. Greyhounds' Voice considers that this rule is entirely wrong and offers far too little protection for each greyhound. Only dogs with severe injuries or illnesses (including behavioural problems) should be considered for euthanasia. This rule urgently requires amendment and strong policing thereafter.

2.5 If a greyhound has to be put to sleep, it must be carried out by a qualified vet. Perhaps a certification system should be introduced to be fed into the suggested database (2.8) to ensure that the correct procedure is always followed. 2.6.3 We would hope that the government would make the contributions to welfare compulsory for all bookmakers. If not, we can only hope that current [Fund] non-payers will be encouraged to make payments to the suggested welfare body on the basis that they can see that all funds are being used directly and exclusively on greyhound welfare. 2.6.5 Owners' contributions to the welfare fund to be carefully considered. Perhaps an increased registration fee that goes directly into the welfare fund or/and a percentage of run money and/or a levy imposed when importing a greyhound from Ireland.

2.8 An accurate and extensive database for injuries should be established so that the results can be analysed and used to improve welfare matters further in the future.

2.9 A similar database for greyhounds put to sleep which could be a very useful tool for the suggested welfare body. For example, it could be used to establish trends such as a higher than expected rate for a particular trainer or a particular track, leading to investigation.

2.10 There needs to be more stipendiary stewards with better training to police the welfare of the sport more vigorously.

2.11 Consideration should be given to using electronic implants (identichips) for identification........and to help track greyhounds from puppy to retirement.

It will also help prove that many dogs are currently homed by their owners or trainers in addition to the official RGT figures - this is a fact but one which is currently difficult to prove.

2.12 Each stadium to have appointed 'independent welfare personnel', perhaps employed or at least answerable to the suggested independent welfare body, to challenge and monitor welfare issues. These individuals should not also be employed by the stadi-

um.

2.13 To embed a structure that encourages 'concerned parties' to make valid observations on track safety or other welfare issues in the knowledge that their concerns will be properly inspected, not one that labels such individuals as 'troublemakers'.

3 GREYHOUND BREEDING

3.1 All greyhound breeders should be licensed by the NGRC. The standard to be set in order to obtain a licence should be stringent and agreed by an independent group of experienced and successful greyhound breeders. This should ensure that only responsible greyhound breeding takes place.

4 MATTERS AFFECTING GREYHOUNDS DURING THEIR RACING CAREER

4.1 There should be a limit in the number of races/meetings each track can hold each week and an overall agreed and acceptable amount of racing nationwide.

4.1.1 For example, in the week beginning 20 August 2006 there were a total of 1,444 races requiring 8,664 greyhounds. Of this figure 487 of the races were BAGS or BEGS, requiring 2,922 greyhounds. Put another way, over one third of the greyhounds racing during that week were for BAGS/BEGS racing. There should be a greater spread of BAGS racing across the country's tracks.

4.1.2 There is currently racing seven days a week with up to 14 races per meeting, some tracks racing twice a day. This schedule is un- acceptable

4.2 The racing surface itself is of paramount importance when considering the greyhound welfare issue. Poor surfaces or badly maintained surfaces will cause career-ending injury to greyhounds thus prematurely placing each greyhound within the re-homing structure. Many of the tracks were designed and built many decades ago when greyhounds were generally smaller and slower.

4.3 In connection with point 4.2 above, a detailed report, perhaps undertaken by the Sports Ministry, should be undertaken into 'Starmat' as a possible replacement of sand as a better and safer running surface for greyhounds racing in the UK. If, as we believe is the case, such a report has already been conducted, albeit by the current racing authorities and not the Sports Ministry, this report and the conclusions reached should be re-examined.

4.6 Air conditioning/fans should be compulsory for the transport of all racing greyhounds.

4.8 Air conditioning in all track kennels should be made compulsory.

4.10 It should be within the rules of racing that there is a minimum of three days between each greyhound's races. Common sense to prevail in exceptional circumstances.

4.11 Kennelling times need to be reduced.

5 WELFARE OF GREYHOUNDS WHEN THEIR RACING CAREER HAS ENDED

5.1 More education of the general public (not just the racing public) to show what wonderful pets greyhounds make. Whilst acknowledging that the RGT and volunteers do a great deal in this area, more could and should be done by the sport as a whole. 5.7 The image of the RGT should be considered to establish if it makes optimum appeal to the public. Consideration should be given to a name change and a general change of image to appeal to a younger 'audience'. Consideration should be given to modernising the image of the dogs themselves as pets, to be portrayed as fun, proud and beautiful rather than rather sad looking and 'doe-eyed'.

jjCONCLUSION

We would stress that, in our opinion, the vast majority of owners and trainers love their greyhounds and are responsible individuals. We feel that the above measures and ideas would protect the dogs against the minority who are not responsible as well as creating a welfare structure where the needs of each greyhound are considered foremost. Greyhound racing is a great sport but it finds itself at a crossroads. The whole sport needs to work together to agree workable solutions to every welfare issue. Greyhounds' Voice has only been in existence for two months so, although we feel that our ideas are sensible and workable, we accept that certain points may need to be developed or indeed some ideas will prove impractical for whatever reason.

Greyhounds' Voice is a long-term project and we are constantly receiving new ideas from the public and the committee, and we are further developing ideas contained in this report.

Editor's note: These are extracts from the full report, which can be read at www.thegreyhoundsvoice.org. It is also being placed on racingpost.co.uk

Contact point (e-mail): [e-mail]

The committee

Linda Jones (Chair), trainer 30 years, dual Champion Trainer

Simon Gray (Vice ), chairman Hall Green Retired Greyhound Trust

Barrie Clegg (Sec.), chairman Waltham-stow Owners & Welfare Association/Greyhound, owner

Charlie Lister, trainer 40 years, several times Champion Trainer

Jim Reynolds, trainer 27 years Debbie Clegg, owner 18 Years Gail May, owner 18 Years Neil Todd, owner 20 Years

Eamonn Forsdyke, legal representative and owner

Mick Puzey, trainer 37 years

Pat Quinn, chairman of Greyhound Breeders' Forum

Darran Keefe, assistant trainer 5 years Jo Burridge, trainer 40 years Seamus Gaughan, trainer 30 years Garrett Kelly, trainer 6 years

Tanya Stevenson, Channel 4 and Racing Post 

Richard Lockyer, Walthamstow veterinary surgeon and secretary of the Society of Greyhound Veterinarians

Kevin Stow, Chair of the Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust, an independent greyhound charity

Kevin Boothby, promoter of Henlow and Rye House, owner

CAPTION(S):

Linda Jones: Chair' Barrie Clegg: Secretary' Pat Quinn: Breeders' Forum' Kevin Boothby: Promoter