A CLINIC is killing healthy dogs and secretly selling their body parts to
Britain’s most prestigious veterinary college for research, an investigation
has found.
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has a financial agreement with a vet’s
practice which provides the organs from dogs on a regular basis.
An undercover reporter posing as an owner found that staff at the Greyhound
Clinic in Essex agreed to kill greyhounds for £30 each even though he told
them the dogs had “nothing wrong with them”.
The clinic is then paid by the college, which specifically insists the dogs
must be healthy before being euthanased, for each animal from which it
supplies parts.
The RVC, which is the oldest and largest veterinary college in Britain,
admitted that it had a number of similar financial agreements with other
clinics to provide specimens.
The practice has “horrified” the RSPCA and animal welfare campaigners and even
one of the heads of the greyhound racing industry itself.
The sport has been criticised for failing to explain the fate of thousands of
greyhounds which retire from racing each year and then disappear without
trace.
Alistair McLean, chief executive of the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC),
the industry’s governing body, said he was “flabbergasted” by the trade in
body parts. “This is completely and utterly unacceptable,” he said. “It is
quite scandalous.”
The RSPCA said: “We are shocked by this evidence which appears to show an
opening for greyhounds to be systematically destroyed for profit. We
certainly would not like to think that there was a financial incentive to
ending a pet’s life.”
Maureen Purvis, of the campaign group Greyhounds UK, compared the practice
with that of Burke and Hare, the19th century bodysnatchers who killed people
to provide corpses for dissection. “What this clinic is doing is the canine
equivalent of that,” she said. “It is just absolute butchery.”
Although the rules governing vets allow them to use their discretion on
putting down healthy animals, in practice most are reluctant to do so.
The NGRC states that its trainers should put dogs down only as a last resort.
“Even a broken leg can often be mended but some trainers see it as simply
more cost effective to have it put down,” said a racing insider.
It is now apparent, however, that some veterinary practices also have a
financial incentive to put dogs down without any medical reason.
The Greyhound Clinic is in an Essex hamlet which is in effect a “greyhound
village”. The clinic’s immediate neighbours are the kennels of at least six
NGRC-registered trainers, two greyhound retirement homes and a practice
racetrack.
The undercover reporter called the clinic and spoke to Donna Atkins, the
practice manager, saying he had two greyhounds he wanted putting down
because he “had no room for them”.
The reporter asked if the clinic ever took blood from the dogs before killing
them and Atkins said the Royal Veterinary College sent people once or twice
a week to collect blood from dogs being put down, she said.
When the reporter called back, Atkins said: “We are going to take the glands
as well. Is that okay?”
The reporter said it was, but emphasised that his dogs were not old and there
was nothing wrong with them. “That’s fair enough; that’s not a problem,”
said Atkins. “So it’s 10.15 tomorrow. Bye.”
When the reporter arrived the next day, two students from the RVC, who
introduced themselves as Demi and Rick, were waiting. The reporter, who said
his dogs would arrive shortly with his brother, explained there was “nothing
wrong with them” but the students appeared uninterested. Asked why they
wanted the dogs’s lymph glands, Demi said: “We take tissue from healthy dogs
and we look at the cells and put them in an artificial environment and use
that to further our research.”
The reporter left but not before paying Atkins £60 in advance to have the
fictitious dogs put down. He was not asked to sign any forms and was at no
time asked his name, phone number, address or any details as to why the dogs
should be destroyed.
He also asked Atkins if the RVC was paying the clinic to take body parts. “No,
no, we work in conjunction with them. We all work together from all over the
place. It’s part of their learning,” she said.
John O’Connor, 65, head vet and director of the clinic, told the undercover
reporter, who was now posing as an employee of a company wanting to procure
canine organs, that he had an “exclusive” commercial contract with the RVC
until November. After that he would review the situation and expected “at
least £30 per canine part”.
When contacted later by The Sunday Times O’Connor initially denied a financial
agreement with the RVC but subsequently admitted invoicing the college at
£10 per dog and being paid.
He claimed that he had been paid a few hundred pounds since he began supplying
the parts three years ago and that he intended to pay the money to charity.
O’Connor said he put down dogs only if they had medical problems or showed
aggression and said he would not have euthanased the fictitious dogs.
An RVC spokesman confirmed it had an agreement with the clinic but said owners
should be issued with a form “to indicate their acknowledgment” of their
pets’ fate. “The decision to euthanase an animal must only be taken when
both owner and vet agree and the owner has given written consent.”
One of the most upsetting things about "The Dog Racing Issue" is the amount of people involved in the industry who willfully ignore the facts so they can stay involved without feeling guilty. Recent government investigations have shown thousands of dogs disappear each year even with conservative estimates and, no, these dogs are not rehomed by their owners/trainers without anyone knowing - those figures were captured. How anyone claiming to be even slightly interested in animal welfare let alone a dog lover would let themselves be involved in an 'industry' with such consequences is beyond me.
It seems extreme, but anyone with a conscience should call for the radical reorganisation of or else the banning of dog racing. It is not like animal testing or breeding for food - it is killing and abusing otherwise lovely pets for entertainment. We may as well condone dog fighting - the difference is with fighting injury and a bad end is more likely and immediate. It's ok if we don't see it?
Dave, Essex,
As a betting shop manager I deal with greyhound racing on a daily basis and I am ashamed to hear all the sad news surrounding the ill fate of retired greyhounds. I know there are many charities around who try to rehome / rescue these moneymakers (for punters and owners) but there's not enough being done. I am an animal lover - who winces when a greyhound is injured or come to think of it a race horse falls and cannot get back up. I am proposing to my company that greyhound and race horse's welfare be one of our main charities to support, as it seems ridiculous that a company who make huge profits from both sports cannot give something back to those animals who have retired or become injured.
sarah-jane, london,
As a veterinary surgeon practicing in the London area, I’m saddened to read that a minority of veterinary surgeons are apparently willing to kill healthy animals for financial gain. Fortunately, the vast majority of UK veterinary surgeons do consider animal welfare to be more important than other considerations, as required by our RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct, and refuse to conduct such killing (it cannot correctly be called euthanasia, which, by definition, is a ‘good’ death – that is, in the interests of an animal experiencing significant suffering, with a poor prognosis for recovery). Needless to say, this is the position of all of my practicing veterinary colleagues, and I.
Andrew Knight BSc., BVMS, CertAW, MRCVS
President, Animals Count: a political party for animals
www.AnimalsCount.org
Andrew Knight, London, UK
I can not speak highly enough of mr O'connor he provides no frills treatment at a reasonable cost with a pleasant manner unlike a lot of the overinflated price and egos of some other vets of the area .With out him a lot of people simply wouldnt be able to afford treatment for there animals .Its a harsh fact but there are simply not enough homes for the surplus greyhounds that racing causes is it not far better for them to be put to sleep humainly and without stress than dispossed of in far less humain ways as happens to some E.G. dumped on motor ways with there ears cut off so they cant be identified or taken into a local field or woods and shot (maybe the first shot will kill them maybe not) or simply having a hammer to there heads .What Mr O'connor has done is no worse than many other rehome and so called rescue organizations that Put to sleep hundreds of perfectly healthy dogs every year the RSPCA being one of them .I shall continue to take my dogs for treatment to him..
k thompson , hornchurch , essex
As a Greyhound Owner & Fanatic of Racing, I deplore the very fact that healthy Greyhounds (and/or any other heathy animals) are put to sleep for Commercial and Capital Gain. However, for some people to think the answer is a complete ban on Greyhound Racing is absurd. Do they not realise the great enjoyment the Dogs get from Racing? Not withstanding the vast amount of Greyhounds that would have to be destroyed should a total or indeed a partial ban be put in place. The NGRC/BGRB have the total responsibilty to uphold the Rules, Regulations and Integrity of Greyhound Racing.
Mr McLean NGRC Chief Excutive speaks of this case as being "flabbergasted" it is "utterley unacceptable". "It is quite scandalous" I ask the question of him, What have you really done to make the Greyhounds lot a better one? this since the last Outrageous report by this paper, being Seaham. NGRC put your house in order now and SAVE GREYHOUNDS AFTER RACING, BE MORE STRINGENT WITH YOUR RULES OF OWNERS AND TRAINERS.
DAVID G. SMITH, Spalding, United Kingdom
To continue: We get nothing mentioned these days about the many and varied tests carried out on a vast array of animals for cosmetic and human benefit. When it comes to Greyhounds, Racing is the first area that the simple folk want to ban. Those of us who have been with and around Greyhounds understand their need to run and naturally chase. Do these people also want to ban Horse Racing?
The answer is to curb the wanton destruction of these wonderful dogs when their racing days are at an end. The protesters need to concentrate on ways of improving the Greyhounds life after racing: maybe one or two of them giving them a home!!! I guess this would be asking too much of these simple folk.
DAVID G. SMITH
DAVID G. SMITH, Spalding, United Kingdom
Please complain to:
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC)
Hawkshead Lane
North Mymms
Hatfield
Hertfordshire
AL9 7TA0
01707 666333
The Greyhound Clinic (THE CLINIC IN THE REPORT)
Ockendon Kennel, Ockendon Road, North Ockendon
Upminster, Essex RM14 3PT
01708 229466
GOVERNING BODY OF VETS & RVC:
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Belgravia House
62-64 Horseferry Road
London SW1P 2AF
Tel: (020) 7222 2001
Fax: (020) 7222 2004
Email: admin@rcvs.org.uk
REBECCA, LONDON,
Greyhounds are being put down at a financial gain by O'Connor. He is being paid by the trainer and by RVC therefore his decission to destroy these dogs is totally biased. This is a case of being paid to a) destroy a healthy dog and b) sell its body and parts to make money. The vets that the RVC have chosen in this case are not a well respected practice infact they are very basic used by many trainers. Any decent vets in Essex would not destroy any dog for money. I would be interested if Mr O'Connor would show his book work listing all his charity donations!!! and the tax he has paid for this sale of body parts!!!! Please contact the RVC to complain how it pays vets to destroy dogs and also report them and O'Connors vets in Okendon to the RVCS.
Joe, london, london
RRITAIN, BAN GREYHOUND RACING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have witnessed a dog breaking its neck in a racing track in Wimbledon dog racing stadium. Since then I learned that those injuries are very common in greyhound racing. Look what a slender and fragile body they’ve got! Anyone who calls himself or herself a dog lover will never race their pet risking dogs life and will not give the dog away after its racing strengths are gone. Ian Young from London is right – time for us to speak up has come.
I urge the government to outlaw dog racing !
Sasha, London,
For more info on this shocking industry please see the following website:
www.greyhoundaction.co.uk
charles snead, Carlisle,
I have been taking my dogs to Mr.O'Connor at Ockendon for many years and know him to be a good vet and decent man. I would back him up 100% and do not believe he is anything but trueful.
D.Denyer, Lincolnshire., UK
THE TIME HAS COME FOR THE PUBLIC TO MAKE ITS VOICE HEARD
This is not an isolated event.
An industry which is driven by money will never be able to give greyhounds the standard of living which they deserve. It results in over breeding of pups, a racing life of solitary confinement and injuries, retirement and then for the majority legal killing – sometimes in the most brutal way imaginable. There will never be enough homes for all these unwanted dogs.
Neither the government nor the welfare groups (RSPCA and League against cruel sports) are taking decisive action. The new plan for the industry (Lord Donoghues report) recommends maintaining self regulation. This is not acceptable.
GREYHOUND RACING SHOULD BE BANNED.
We are a small but determined group who are currently dedicating our spare time to preparing a report which we will use to lobby the industry and government. Anyone interested in joining us please email: bangreyhoundracing@gmail.com
The evidence is overwhelming; we just need the general public to hear it.
Why not ask the RSPCA or League Against Cruel Sports why they aren’t taking stronger action? RSPCA Advice line: 0300 1234 555 League against cruel sports: 0845 330 8486
Ian Young, London,
Welfare ends at death- if the dogs are put down humanely then they may as well be used to teach vet students about anatomy.
It is not always possible to use dogs that have bee put to sleep because of disease as students need to know what normal animals look like, and they have a timetable with dissection classes and therefore cannot wait for varying numbers of dogs to be put to sleep on random dates etc.
Barry Jones, Liverpool, UK
I have taken in 22 greyhounds as pets over many years of dog ownership. I have always taken them as they came, I never chose them. Whenever certain greyhound homers hear I have lost an old greyhound through illness or old age, I have been asked to take another one on. The only thing they had in common was their ability to adjust to the alien world of home life and embrace it with open paws. They have all been a pleasure to own and I wouldn't baulk at taking another if again I had space.
AHC of London who states that "Not all ex racers can live in a domestic environment" could perhaps elaborate a bit more.
To my mind it is more a case of a potential adopter taking a greyhound on, and when the novelty wears off returning it to the kennels. The problem is of course they blame it on the greyhound when all along it was them not up to the task of looking after a dog.
Greyhounds make lovely pet's and companions and it's an abomination that so many are never given the chance to show it.
Bryan Leach., Harlow., United Kingdom
I was disgusted to think any vet would be able to do such a thing to any healthy living creature.
I do appreciate that the vet students need to examine healthy organs but surely there are enough animals that are PTS for a genuine reason, maybe say from a terrible road traffic accident, that there would be enough undamaged organs to offer these for medical science but not for any monetary value.
Until last year I owned a rescue greyhound who was the most loving, gentle creature I have ever known.
Whilst I hate what goes on in any of the animal sports, only the thought of the money and prestige interests the persons involved from the kennel maid to the owner to the TV companies.
I would like to thank the reporter for exposing this, another area of concern, and hope he continues to report on many more animal atrocities. Maybe one day the government will take a humane stand!!!!!
Debs, Devon, UK
On reading this article, I feel that Mr J O Connor is a professional veterinary surgeon. All of you pet / greyhound owners who disagree, tell me, the medication that you give or use has been tested or tried on one form or another be it greyhounds or mice. This industry would NOT be as far advanced if it was not!
The only thing that Mr J O Connor is guilty of is no consent which I condone.
But If it helps with moving forward to help oter sick animals then Im all for it.
PENNY, Essex, IG1
We are students at the Royal Veterinary College and while we understand that this may seem cruel and unnecessary most of these retired greyhounds cannot be rehomed and are put down regardless. In order to learn and understand normal anatomy it is essential that we are able to study healthy cadavers. Due to the large numbers of students training to be vets we need quite a few animals. All other vets schools have similar policies with regards to dissection.
Emma and Sarah, London,
greyhounds are always getting the rough end of the stick.The people who so called have greyhound welfare at the top of their list have got their heads so far up their you no what that they do not want to know what is going on in the real world.Get to a greyhound rescue kennels and see how many dogs need a home and also ask how many lovley dogs have found a good home.Greyhounds do make good pets.Thanks to the reporter for writing this article
Karen Taylor, Wigan Lancs, England
I feel that most of these comments are unfair as in any sport or place there are bad people and good people and they all seem to be generalising that all greyhound trainers and people in the sport are made and mistreat their dogs and have them all killed. My partner is a trainer and has been for the last five years in that time we have had 4 greyhounds put to sleep, one was 14 years old and had cancer, two were agressive and we therefore decided it was safer to put them to sleep rather than risk them hurting anyone and losing a home for another greyhound and the other had an injury that meant it would have been very distressing for her to move to a vet who could carry out the treatment she would need at that time.
We have kept a dog for two years waiting to find the right home. People should stop generalising that everyone is bad!!!
Name withheld, Hants, Hants
Oh my god we have had Greyhounds for years and I cant believe this is going on. These poor dogs dont have a hard enough battle in life as it is what with starvation, cruelty, ears lopped off there must be a law passed in this country to protect and stop this absolutely disgusting treatment everyone involved needs to be taken out and shot.
Tracey K
Yorkshire
Tracey K, Yokshire,
Lets look at the realities of what the anti brigade are saying. They seem to indicate the majority of greyhounds have an unhappy ending, yes it makes a good story but in reality is it true. the vast majority of owners and trainers look after their dogs after racing.We have all heard of the unwanted litters of cats and dogs which are killed soon after birth. We have all heard of the pedigree dogs being bred for looks and we have all seen the GSD and Labs. who can barely walk because of in breeding.
Should we then ban all pets and animals.
The vast majority of greyhounds do make fantastic pets but the odd one is unhomeable, for whatever reasons. I would love to see every retired greyhound in a nice home, I would love to see every retired Horse in a field being looked after by a loving family.
To ban racing would lead to 1000`s of greyhounds needing homes which arent there.
So banning would lead to 1000`s more being PTS. I guess supported by the antis.
kevin, Ipswich,
I accessed the British Greyhound Racing Board to read their comments on the Time's story, only to be met with nothing. They have, up to now declined to make a statement on their website. This is of course par for the course with the BGRB.
I have made my thoughts known to the rulers of the BGRB and The National Greyhound Racing club over many instances of greyhound abuse. They never reply, and just hope it all go's away by sticking their collective heads even more deeply into the sand.
I tell a lie though, I did receive a reply one day from the Welfare Officer of the BGRB, Peter Laurie, pointing out how many Greyhounds had been found a home by the.Retired Greyhound Trust. I very gently pointed out to Peter it was not the number of Greyhounds homed by the RGT that brought the Greyhound Industry into disrepute, but the number of hounds destroyed for no other reason than they were surplas to requirements.
Greyhound Racing should now face the facts and act, not hide from them.
Bryan Leach., Harlow., United Kingdom
An absolute disgrace, is nothing being done to protect these poor dogs? Well done the Times. I for one am contacting our useless Defra dept to try and get some kind of action taken. The NGRC should be held accountable for all racing dogs but all they so is twist and turn and deny all knowlegde of abuse. I understand the David Smith/Seham enquiry outcome only resulted in 2 trainers being banned, absolutely laughable outcome.
Meg, Durhan, Durham
This is the latest in a long line of terrible deeds that the greyhounds suffer from action taken by the human race, and to think that some people regard it as an insult to be called an "animal". If anybody compared me to the sort of person that can condone this action then that really would be an insult.
Trevor, Hebden Bridge, UK/Yorkshire
How can the Royal Veterinary College behave in such an unethical way ?
Surely, like human doctors, the R.V.C.'s mandate is to relieve pain and suffering in animals and to promote longevity in mentally and physically healthy ones ?
Shame on the R.V.C.....
Gill Shields.
Canada
Gillian Shields, Pointe Claire, Q.C Canada
>>Not all ex racers can live in a domestic environment.
AHC, London >>
Won't you please explain what you mean by this statement that you keep repeating?
PN, Raleigh NC, USA
Here is the states greyhounds go to vet schools to be blood donors and get spayed and neutered by the students.
I would think you could get just as much info from a dog that is ill as from one that is healthy if the organ was not affected. To destroy a dog just to see a healthy organ or gland is terrible.
These dogs are the most wonderful, loving pets. I have owned as many as 5, at one time, they always raced me to the bed and sofa and won. Then they would give a big grin as we snuggled together.
I could no more kill one of them than my own child in the name of science.
Sue Williams, Perrysburg, Ohio/ USA
As long as it is not going into the food chain, we do not want to eat our pets.
No fair! STOP the unnecessary killing.
Pat, cheshire, UK
The RVC is the Royal Veterinary College, the RCVS is the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. The former is a teaching college for veterinary students, the latter is the governing body of vets. They are separate and distint
Andrew, Leeds,
Not all ex racers can live in a domestic environment.
AHC, London,
With the correct person they CAN!! all it takes is time, love and patience..something they are not shown until they are away from this vile industry. And 'if' what you say is true then isnt this yet another reason to abolish greyhound racing? because if they cant then what becomes of them?? Greyhounds make the most wonderful, gentle and loving pets..and have now been used as money making machines for FAR too long..this makes me sick, to use perfectly healthy innocent dogs in this way just because they are no longer of 'any use' BARBARIC!
Cath Ormrod, Wigan, Greater Manchester
The issue here is not the fact that the healthy dogs are being put down, as this has been reported several times with respect to certain animal charities. What many people do not realise is that animals over 9 years old are regularly destroyed by so called animal 'charities'. Why do you think that the Dog's Trust adverts say they will 'never put a healthy dog down'?
As for the vet students, they see life and death everyday, and from experience I know that they become very hardened to the death of animals. They cannot become emotionally attached to every animal that comes into surgery, otherwise they would be emotional wrecks.
I agree that the payment for the killing of the animals is dreadful. But how else do you propose students learn about the normal anatomy of animals, to recognise the abnormal in the future? People should look at the bigger picture before jumping in all guns blazing.
Furthermore, if the owner isn't upset then it is hardly proffessional to burst into tears.
J Clarkson, Bristol,
this artical is only the tip of the iceberg! how long has it been going on and how many more vets are involved in `dodgy` deals? Shame on all involved! i just hope that what goes around, comes around! or to quote `as you sow,so shall you reap` it just goes to show what cowards these people are,abusing these poor defenceless dogs! i wonder if they would act the same if the victim could fight back?
lorraine gardiner, dover, england
Greyhounds seem to be taken advantage of because the racing industry takes advantage. THEY ARE BRED TO BE GENTLE SO THAT CERTAIN TYPES OF UNPLEASANT HUMAN BEINGS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM. wE NEED AN INDEPENDENT ORG TO PROTECT GREYHOUNDS FROM BIRTH.
These 2 students who received 2 perfectly healthy greyhounds and handed over money are going to be vets in the future. They obviously don't care about killing healthy animals so ought to be told to leave and take up brick laying or something where sentient creatures are not involved.
A year ago I rang and asked RVC to send me a complaint form about a local vet. I had just moved to a new area and used a vet who turned out to be very bad...Later I heard that the local paper had made an expose on this vet the week before I moved. When I got a reply from rvc they said that the vets treatment of my dog etc., had been fine. . Some vets are v. good and care and some just in it for money.
marta ainley, cinderford, UK
I am a proud owner of two retired Greyhounds who make fantastic pets, despite what some people make think. I believe that vets are suppose to be on the animals side!! What is going on with these poor defenceless animals.
Kim Horton, Rainham, Essex
If this story is indeed true, as it seems to be, then I am sickened to my stomach and absolutely disgusted. How can this sort of thing be allowed to happen?! They should be shut down and investigated by the police at the least. I don't know how they sleep at night. I'm so glad that after I took my Greyhound there once for her yearly booster I vowed never to take them back. I've also heard other horror stories of the treatment recieved from fellow greyhound owners regarding this practice.
Kelly , Basildon, Essex
Thanks to Daniel Foggo, and the Sunday Times for exposing yet another sick scandal involving the greyhound industry. And as for the RVC and any veterinary practice who put healthy greyhounds to sleep for profit - I am disgusted by them.
Ban Greyhound racing - and lets see an end to this cruelty.
Alsion Quigley, Halifax, UK
With the compulsorary collection of every UK citiizen's DNA into a National DNA database the recording ( and matching ) who has what and where will be a reality - just think of the business opportunuities.
Unfortunate really that people have concerns about this but with Gordon Brown's proposals for the state to have the presumed rights harvest organs, save where the citizen specifically priorly opts out, for the time being, one can see a glittering future for business in spare parts. Compulsory purchase if you like with no appeal.
Indeed, what right should citizens have over their body when they are dead. There's business in body parts and the relatives could be issued with a certificate saying that thier loved ones were recycled for the
Think I over-estimate what could happen - well in China they execute prisoners and harvest their organs. In India the poor sell organs and in America they made a film called the Island.
Watch it and you will see the future.
Wullie, Luss, Scotland
This newspaper exposed far worse treatment of surplus/failed greyhounds last year. These animals are at least presumably being killed humanely, which makes them lucky compared to the fates you reported previously. I don't like the situation, but any person who supports the greyhound industry in any way, even dipping into SkySports for fun, is culpable. Not all ex racers can live in a domestic environment.
AHC, London,
These people are real criminals. It's incredible that Britain became what it has become. And they call animal rights people 'terrorists'. They are the best people I met in the UK, selfless , compassionate and committed to helping animals.
I lived in London between 1982 and Dec. 2006. I left disgusted with what this country has become, specially since Labour won the elections.
Isabel Reinhards
Lisbon, Portugal now
Isabel Reinhards, Lisbon, Portugal
Yet another example of the fact greyhounds are viewed simply as a commodity by the racing fraternity. Indeed the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) refer to these beautiful animals as ‘units’. It is interesting to note also that the industry have failed to meet any recommendations made by an independent enquiry into greyhound welfare and its very existence rests solely on misleading the public.
Tania Minns, Yarmouth, England
The RSPCA said "We certainly would not like to think that there was a financial incentive to ending a pet’s life."
So why do the RSPCA themselves kill so many dogs and other animals? 50% of all living creatures that go into their care are killed.
Could it be that they prefer to kill them to spending the money necessary to feed them and care for them? A mere fraction of the many hundreds of millions they have stashed away?
And they have the gall to criticise the difficult decisions of people who have to count every penny in order to survive?
Nick, Birmingham UK,
Fair play to Daniel Foggo and the Sunday Times for continuing to bring to public notice the atrocities perpetuated by the Greyhound Racing 'Industry' in the name of sport and entertainment.
Hilary McEwen-Smith, Bristol,
As a volunteer for a greyhound charity which operates a non destruct policy I am thoroughly disgusted at these recent revelations. How these people manage to sleep with the blood of these wonderful gentle dogs on their hands beggars belief. Shame on you.
.
S Wooffitt, Cheshire, United Kingdom
In addition to all the comments about racing which i agree with I think John O'Connor who I have serious doubts about for years should be effectively 'struck off' and barred for practicing on any animal.
N Bee, Essex,
This so called vet, should hang his head in shame and anyone who agrees with this behaviour should do likewise.
Olive, Wales,
The comment from Alistair McLean, chief executive of the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC), saying that he was “flabbergasted†by the trade in (greyhound) body parts, just about says it all, in-so- much that the greyhound racing industry want 'self regulation', but apparently, they haven't got a clue as to what is happening to greyhounds when they are of no further use !!!
Heartfelt thanks to Daniel Foggo, and the Sunday Times for another exposure of the truth behind this killing industry, and all in the name of 'profit'.
Lin Hall, Norwich, UK
I am sickened to hear this news! I've always loved animals and since I was about three or four, I wanted to be a veterinarian. Now, I'm not so sure. I do not want to get victimized for this cruel trade.
Emma, Trowbridge, Wiltshire,
Will the Government now do something? I think not. Shame on them all. Deb @ Tia Greyhound Rescue
Debra Rothery, Halifax, West Yurkshire
Is anyone surprised that greyhounds are just commercial spare parts at the end of their running life when they can no longer perform for the baying public? I can think of no other entertainment industry in this country apart from horse racing where animal abuse is so widespread from the breeding through the selecting of the fit and discarding the unfit and the methods of training, racing and disposal of the worn out bodies which even in death must turn a profit for someone. Shame on this country for tolerating such disgraceful behaviour, shame on the punters, breeders and owners for not weeding out those of their number who put profit above animal care.
Frankie James, Ringwood, Hants,
I have just read this article and am disgusted with both the veterinary practice and the royal vetertinary college for the way these dogs are now being treated.
I think a petition should be drawn up to help stop this from happening and to try and close down this so called veterinary practice who actually do not have an interest in the animals and are just in it for the money.
Justine Terry, basildon, engand
Appalled to see yet again that the life of a greyhound can be so exploited in death as in life. I'm shocked that veterinarians are effectively helping the industry to dispose of greyhounds for no more a reason that they can no longer make money. Sighthound Welfare Trust believes that this is totally unethical and flies in the face of a veterinarian's duty of care. Perhaps the larger dog welfare charities will put their weight behind the call for greyhound racing to be dismantled. This report confirms the industry cannot and will not get their house in order. Financial gain seems to override any other factor. If NGRC rules can be so flagrantly abused then what hope for the greyhounds?
Wendy Hassell, Dorset, UK
I would like to congratulate the Sunday Times, and Daniel Fogoe for once again stepping forward to expose the malpractice of those who should be defending these dogs.
The Racing Industry cannot now turn its pack on the evidence and pretend shock. Where on earth did they think their dogs were ending up? Immediate action should be taken to protect these innocent dogs and prevent further mass destruction.
If the industry cannot control the situation, then the industry should be closed down forthwith. Shame on the heads of everyone involved.
Catherine Moore, Warrington, Cheshire
Why does this not surprise me? With so many greyhounds "surplus to requirements" of the racing industry every year it was almost predictable that something like this would happen.
I understand that greyhounds have been used by the vivisection industry for years (for research into recreational drugs and smoking among other projects) and this is just one more way that this poor creature is being abused and slaughtered for money. It is a national disgrace.
The exploitation of these gentle dogs will only cease when greyhound racing becomes confined to the history books like all the other shabby activities where animals have been abused as a consequence of the human appetite for excitement and money - regardless of the consequences and accompanied suffering of those who have no choice or voice.
The veterinary surgeons involved should be made an example of. What happpened to their duty of care for their patients? They should be struck off immediately. There are too many greyhound vets who should not be allowed to practice. We should demand a full investigation into the practices of these colleges with full transparency regarding their activities. This should never be allowed to happen again. We owe a debt of gratitude to Daniel Foggo for continuing to expose the abuse of this noble animal.
Angela Hogan
Angela Hogan, Croyde, DEVON, UK
Greyhound Racing is cruel and the recent news that greyhounds are being deliberately killed for their body parts is disgusting, it is about time this gruesome so called sport was banned.
There are thousands of greyhounds that do not make the grade what happens to them they are certainly not pts in a humane way, they are just disposed of like garbage and this government needs to act as does the RSPCA who nowadays seem to have no teeth.
V Titchener, Oxfordshire, UK
This is yet another reason to force the greyhound industry either to take full responsibility for their dogs or to close it down completely. As for being a 'nation of dog lovers' we certainly are not. As a trustee of a greyhound rescue charity, we deal with neglect and cruelty of greyhounds on such a scale that however many of us work to rescue these beautiful and gentle dogs, there are never enough homes for them. What is going on here is scandalous and surely cannot be allowed to go on.
Sally Slater, Torrington, Devon
It appears to me that none of the professions are any longer trustworthy. That is not to say that they don't have trust worthy members. I think we need to have a total rethink of all professional bodies and insist on controlling bodies be created who have no interest in that profession and no benefit to be made from being on the controlling body.
Ita West, Co. Limerick, Republic of Ireland
Every year over 6,000 of the greyhound leaving the racing industry in the UK and are not accounted for. They just "dissapear". Now, via this article, we know what happens to some of them. But there are many more missing. This is yet another reason why the greyhound industry cannot be trusted to look after the animals that make them rich. They must be required, under the new Animal Welfare Act, to account for every animal involved in the industry. They already register and track every one - until they finish racing. It's a small step to complete the tracking and report to the public each year and prove they are retired properly.
N Coleman, London,
Once again, the real culprits here are the greyhound racing industry. If dogs were not callously disposed of when no longer required for racing, this sort of thing could never happen. The public can help stop it by not attending or betting on greyhound races.
Tony Peters, London,
Again, the racing industry has been exposed to be working in conjunction with those vets who are willing to put healthy dogs down. 13,478 racing dogs retire each year and thousands disappear - many put down, depsite making wonderful pets and despite often being only 2-3yrs old. The League Against Cruel Sports is calling upon the government to introduce legislation which would provide a regulatory body, inclusive of animal welfare groups, to oversee the industry. Thousands of dogs are bred and thousands go missing. It is time animal welfare was put first in a nation which regards itself as dog lovers. I know of dogs which have been taken to this practice from Walthamstow stadium and who have not been given the chance of retirement. NGRC rules are not followed and those who go racing should know the real truths of treatment behind the scenes.
L Clark, London,