***From the Cork Dog Action Welfare Group*** Its a very long time since we have seen such a case and we are stunned. Bobbi had been suffering and tolerating pain and hunger for a long time. Her left hip was broken and the vet thinks that her femur may have gone right up into pelvis. She was so thin and weak she was not able to go on pain killers as her organs would not be able to take them. She was too weak also for an x-ray. She could not lie down unaided so goodness only knows how long Bobbi had been unable to lie down or make herself comfortable. She had started to eat tiny portions of food several times a day but had a long road ahead of her. Bobbi was too weak to even wag her tail and was quite bewildered. Her broken and battered body had endured too much and she suffered a heart attack before lunch today which took her. The wonderful lady who rescued her cradled Bobbi in her arms as she closed her eyes forever. We do ask that in memory of Bobbi maybe someone out there might consider adopting a greyhound and take them into your homes, so that they themselves will find a place forever in your hearts. The sad reality is there are thousands of Bobbi’s out there, suffering in silence while people turn a blind eye, please continue to support us so that we can continue to do our work and provide a place of love and safety for the very many that without us would die just like Bobbi.
No more suffering Rest gently in peace Edge
A man who starved and neglected his pet dog has been banned from owning animals for eight years. Matthew James Fleming, 23, from Stonehouse in South Lanarkshire, was also fined £750 for the way he treated Edge, his greyhound. He was sentenced at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Thursday. Fleming pled guilty to failing to provide adequate nutrition and necessary veterinary attention for his 13-year-old dog. The charity said that, during questioning, Fleming admitted being aware that Edge had been in very poor health for a month and in a collapsed state five days before they found him. The animals was found lying in its own excrement in a cupboard at Fleming's home. He was half the weight he should have been, and was too weak to stand. He had to be put down by the vet because he was in such a poor condition. Scottish SPCA Inspector Gillian Dick, who found the dog, said: "Edge was severely emaciated and all his bones were visible and protruding through his skin. "There was no fat or muscle tone on his body whatsoever. "He also had pressure sores as a result of having no body fat and being unable to move for long periods of time. "I immediately took Edge to a vet where he was assessed as weighing 14.8kgs, when a dog of his breed and size should have weighed 30kgs. "Sadly, the vet decided that his condition was so severe there was no choice but to put him to sleep to end his suffering. "Fleming failed to provide even the most basic level of needs for Edge. I hope Fleming will now be able to reflect on this case and the consequences of his failure to provide Edge with nutrition and veterinary attention. "We also hope he will give serious consideration over his ability to care for any other animal once his eight-year ban is over." http://news.stv.tv/west-central/260591-matthew-fleming-in-animal-ban-after-dog-starved-in-cupboard/
Molly’s betting name ‘Heres Molly’ Last registered trainer & owner Mark May
Greyhound left to die after being given away for 'Free to good home'
Ciarans Socks - a 5 year old male - was last raced in April 2012 and then given away 'free to good home' by Sheffield trainer Martin Cutler. Unable to care for Ciarans Socks - the new owner asked Cutler to take him back but he refused. Cutler's abandonment of Ciarans Socks complies with the industry's Rules of Racing. However - Cutler had previously been disciplined over an all important betting integrity issue when he doped a dog in his 'care' in 2010.
Norman, yet another greyhound to have his ears hacked off
Norman, a Black Irish Greyhound was found in Newtownabbey on Monday night 24th July 2013. Norman was taken to a vets where he was treated for the horrendous injuries he had suffered. Normans ears had been cut off and he was later found to have sustained quite a serious head injury. Norman was taken to Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary where he would be cared for before being found a special home. How anyone could do this to any animal is beyond belief. Norman was named by the vet staff, who said "he is the most docile, placid dog you could find, and he will make some lucky person a wonderful loving, affectionate pet" UPDATE: Norman was later given a loving home by George Anderson who was the chairman at Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary!
If you know anything about Normans case that could help us bring his abusers to justice, please contact us.
CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW FOR NORMANS STORY
RIP Norman On the 18th November, George Anderson posted the very sad news that Norman had passed away. Norman had suffered seizures due to the head injury that he was found with.
"It is with great sadness that I would inform all you wonderful people who have followed him from the beginning that Norman passed away last night at home. He has not been well for a while now and yesterday morning he seemed out of sorts but as the day went on he had no interest in eating, He deteriorated as the night wore on and about 10.30 it was clear he was very ill so I called the vet who quickly arrived and agreed that it was his time. He passed with me holding and stroking him and telling him how much we loved him. Thank you everyone for your love and support for Norman over the last six years."
George Anderson.
Rusty - Shot in the Head, Ears Hacked off and Left to Die Alone and in Agony
rip rusty - never forgotten
Rusty's Story. In May 2004 Rusty was found dying on a Welsh hillside ... his injuries were so great, he soon died. Rusty had been given to Andrew Gough to "dispose" of ... which he did by shooting Rusty in the head and hacking off his ears to hide his racing tattoos (so he couldn't be traced). The owners paid Gough a paltry £10 ... seemingly the worth of a greyhound's life in the UK. At the time this gained massive coverage and it was hoped that this might be a wake up not only to the civil authorities (who sentenced Gough to 6 months in prison), but also to the greyhound owners themselves who always denied that this sort of thing could happen ... at last they were forced to confront the issue ... or so it was hoped. So 3 years later ... what has changed? Well the sad answer is nothing ... only a few months ago mass killing fields for ex-racing greyhounds were discovered in the North West and the North East ... one man David Smith was prosecuted ... but unlike Gough he only received a fine despite killing many thousands of greyhounds and that fine was only for burying thousands of dogs without a permit ... it is not illegal to shoot a dog in the head in this country ... as long as the "owner" allows it. So it is clear that the civil authorities have done nothing in the last 3 years to stop the mass killing of greyhounds ... in fact if anything they have taken a softer approach to the perpetrators ... witness the fine for Smith compared to Gough's imprisonment. But what about the industry? When Rusty was discovered it was widely claimed to be an isolated case ... so did the industry act to stamp out this sort of thing? The answer is clearly no ... they did nothing and recent the discovery of the mass killing fields has shown this quite clearly ... thousands of dogs are believed to be buried at these sites (remember these are only the ones that have been found) and that means many, many people must have been aware of what was going on there over a period of years ... tellingly these sites continued to operate after the Rusty controversy ... they only stopped when exposed ... so this shows people had been killing many dogs before Rusty and they have continued ever since.But somethings have changed ... GA has run effective campaigns across the country and our support is higher than ever before while the numbers attending races has fallen and tracks have shut. Remember there is no justice ... just us! ... because everyone else is in denial or covering it up. Article written by former campaign group Greyhound Action in 2007
Remembering Rusty.
Below is a report from the Western Mail of the Remembering Rusty ceremony. In addition, a full-page article, with several photos, appeared in the local edition of the South Wales Echo. Approaching 100 people, many of them accompanied by rescued greyhounds, lurchers and other dogs, attended this very moving event on Sunday, May 1st. After gathering at the nearby Parc Cwm Darran, the participants travelled in a convoy of vehicles to Fochriw Mountain, where the ceremony was held. Following the laying of flowers, wreaths and tributes at the spot where Rusty was found, Tony Peters, Greyhound Action's UK co-coordinator, explained the reasons for the ceremony and his wife Louise, the organisation's founder, gave a short speech in which she called for an end to dog racing, stating that what had happened to Rusty was "only part of a much bigger sickness called the greyhound racing industry" and that "all this suffering, misery and death" only occurred "because a minority of saddos want to place a bet on dogs running round a track".
A minutes silence was then observed, after which the Reverend James Thompson, founder of Christians. Against All Animal Abuse, conducted a service of prayer and animal protection related hymns in memory of Rusty,and of all dogs and other animals that have suffered and died at the hands of the human species. This was followed by a speech from Alain Thomas of Greyhound Rescue Wales, who played a major part in the bringing of Andrew Gough to justice for Rusty's torture. Alain explained how the concern and furore surrounding the case had "created a watershed" and blown open the traditional secrecy of the greyhound racing industry in the area, inevitably leading to better treatment for the dogs. Helen from South Devon Greyhound Action (SDGA) then gave a Gaelic blessing for Rusty and read a poem in his memory. She was followed by Mindy from SDGA and Vanessa from South Wales Greyhound Action, who read poems and messages sent by supporters unable to attend the ceremony. The participants then returned to Parc Cwm Darran, where the Reverend Thompson gave individual blessings to many of the dogs that had been brought along. South Wales was not the only place where Rusty was remembered, as ceremonies were also held in his memory at several greyhound rescue fundraising events in other parts of the UK.
pregnant Greyhound found with her ears hacked off
RIP Valentina The carcass of a pregnant greyhound who had her ears cut off to conceal the owner's identity
The ears of a dog which was found near Bristol last month, would have been marked with tattoos which could have enabled the culprit to be traced. The case is part of a "sickening catalogue" of recent acts of abuse in the area. The RSPCA said the greyhound was found dumped on 14 February on wasteland in the village of Iron Acton, near Yate.
An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "Irish racing greyhounds are tattooed in the ear for identification purposes, and it is thought that the dog, a female greyhound who was heavily pregnant with six pups, was mutilated in order to prevent the culprits in this horrific case from being traced.'Very distressing'. The charity is hoping someone will recognise the dog, who is black with white markings under her chin and a white blaze between her forelegs, as well as two white spots on her throat."It is not yet clear how the dog, thought to have been about four years old, died. RSPCA inspector John Atkinson said: "This is a very distressing incident for all involved and we are investigating every possible avenue."If any member of the public saw people dumping the dog, or knows of a dog answering this description, I would urge them to contact the RSPCA at once. The RSPCA is asking anyone with information about the attack to come forward.
Search for monster who cut off dog's ears
Dougie Published on Friday 24 April 2009
A DOG has been found with his ears cut off and covered in blood in Bedlington. The male black greyhound was found by a member of the public on Monday, April 20, lying down on a grass verge on Bank Top, Bedlington.
He was covered in blood and had had both ears entirely removed. He also had pieces of black electrical tape stuck to his legs and on his back. The member of the public took the dog, which was not microchipped or wearing a collar, to Robson & Prescott Veterinary Centre in Morpeth before contacting the RSPCA. The dog is currently recovering at the vet surgery and receiving the vital treatment he needs. Now the RSPCA is urging anyone who knows who the dog once belonged to, or who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, to get in touch as soon as possible.
RSPCA inspector Ian Smith said: "This is an horrific and sickening act of cruelty. "It is clear this dog's ears have been removed by a sharp implement, which must have caused him unimaginable pain and distress. "Thankfully he was rescued early and taken to safety, else he easily could have died. "We just hope someone will now come forward with vital information to help us discover what happened. "If anyone was in the area at the time and saw or heard anything suspicious, or if anyone knows who this dog may once have belonged to,we would urge them to contact us as soon as possible."
If anyone has any information they should contact the RSPCA National Cruelty and Advice Line on 0300 123 4999 and ask to leave a message for inspector Ian Smith.
Couple banned from keeping animals after starving £50,000 greyhound almost to death
The Couple's other dog, Pebbles was also found in emaciated and flea-ridden state. Pair spared jail because of ill health
A couple have today been banned from keeping animals after showing neglect to two retired greyhounds - one a former champion.
Andrew and Maria Louden, of Plymouth, Devon, failed to feed Tottie and another retired greyhound called Pebbles or treat Tottie's painful sores, Plymouth magistrates heard.
But the couple, who both admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to their dogs Tottie and Pebbles, were spared jail because of their poor health.
Cruel: Andrew, 48, and Maria Louden, 49, almost starved their two pets to death while leaving them flea-ridden and covered in painful sores. Sorry state: Former racing greyhound champion, Bubbly Tottie, was found emaciated, flea-ridden and covered in sores after being neglected by his owners. Presiding magistrate Dennis Gavin told the court the dogs were left 'malnourished, underweight and flea-ridden'.He added: 'Had it not been for your medical conditions, you would be going to prison today.
"Bubbly Tottie"
The pair were each sentenced to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. They must both stick to a curfew at home between 7pm and 7am every night for four months. Each must pay £200 in costs to the RSPCA.
RSPCA Inspector Sarah Morris, speaking after the case, said it was the worst case of dog cruelty she had seen in 12 years.She added: 'A life ban from keeping animals is a brilliant result. The dogs were in such a terrible, tragic state. This case will stay with me.'
Julian Jefferson, representing the Loudens, had said both his clients were disabled and on benefits and had found it hard to feed the dogs adequately because their payments had been 'suddenly seized'. Magistrates heard that both dogs were 'about to die' when Andrew, 48, and Maria, 49, finally took them for treatment.
Neglect: An RSPCA inspector said the treatment Tottie and another greyhound, Pebbles suffered was the worst she had seen in 12 years Andrew Wyatt, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said the couple took Tottie to a PDSA animal hospital on October 4 last year.Staff said the dog was emaciated, flea-ridden and had sores on its hind quarters. Pebbles was also examined by a vet and found to be in a similarly poor state and close to death. Mr Wyatt said Tottie, known as ‘Bubbly Tottie’, had previously won the greyhound St Leger, a famous competition at Wimbledon Stadium, and once changed hands for £50,000.
The Loudens both admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs. They today pleaded guilty at Plymouth Magistrates' Court to failing to adequately feed the pets and get veterinary attention for Tottie’s sores between September 20 and October 4 last year.
They also admitted to failing to protect both dogs from pain and suffering in not treating their flea infestations. Both greyhounds have since made full recoveries and have been happily re-homed.
Limerick Quarry
It is believed the dogs, found in Ballyagran, were shot in the head. Racing greyhounds are required to have an identifying tattoo in each ear and some of those were still legible. The Irish Greyhound Board, Bord na gCon, says it has identified two owners and is working with gardaí to bring the offenders to justice. Bord na gCon Welfare Officer Barry Coleman said the killing of the dogs contravened the new Greyhound Welfare Bill. The Greyhound Rescue Association of Ireland said that there were nearly 3,500 registered greyhound litters in Ireland last year, and that up to 10,000 disappear every year in this country.
The GRAI says these dogs make ideal family pets and do not need to die.
Bord na gCon is urging owners to keep or re-home retired racing greyhounds, and is working with the Irish Kennel Club to put a number of initiatives in place.
A greyhound is being cared for at a rescue centre after he was thrown over an 8ft fence into an abandoned factory, imprisoning the dog on Fife wasteland. Two-year-old greyhound Bleu was just days from death when found on Sunday by passers-by.Bleu, who carers say was starved for two to three months, weighed just 18kg instead of the average30kg he should have weighed. Now, Bleu is recovering at Langdyke Boarding Kennels near Kennoway in Fife. Langdyke Boarding KennelsKennel owner Sylvia Pass said: If it lay on its side and shut its eyes you would think it had been dead for a couple of weeks, it's that bad "When the dog was brought here it had a 50/50 chance of survival."It was malnourished and dehydrated and we found it covered in fleas. "It has no muscle, no flesh. If it lay on its side and shut its eyes you would think it had been dead for a couple of weeks, it's that bad. "Bleu was taken to the kennels after a Kirkcaldy couple saw him inside the former Nairn's linoleum works. The eight-acre site effectively imprisoned Bleu. The greyhound did not break any bones but damaged his left shoulder. Medical treatment since his rescue has increased Bleu's chances of survival. Ms Pass added: "I would give Bleu a 75% chance of surviving now after being just days from death. "He is being fed six to eight times a day with a small amount of high-protein and high-fat food soaked in water.
Newtown Kerrie found dumped in a bin
Kerry. The emaciated body of a greyhound has been found dumped in a bin in Norfolk. The discovery was made in Arlington Way, Thetford, after a member of the public became suspicious about an abandoned bin, which police have taken for forensic tests. The five-year-old greyhound was microchipped and had been wrapped in a curtain and a bed sheet Nicola Thorne, RSPCA, said the dog appeared to have been dumped in a bin "like a piece of rubbish. "Ms Thorne said she had been able to trace some previous owners but wanted to hear from anyone who knew the dog's most recent address. She said: "Kerry was rehomed, five years old, and you would think she was going to live a nice quiet life with someone and be looked after. "But for whatever reason it looks as if she was passed on and left to starve to death."
Greyhound Abuser Could Escape ‘life ban’
TARA
Brian Brunton
24.04.09 The RSPCA have granted Greyt Exploitations permission to publish photographs of Tara, the female greyhound who was starved to near death by her owner and recently prosecuted Brian Brunton. Although the courts banned Brunton from keeping animals for life, he will be allowed to make an application to revoke the life time ban after only five years.Tara was found staggering down a road in May 08. Brunton claimed to have re-homed her in February 2008 and he maintained this excuse until the court hearing when all the witnesses attended court and his plea changed to guilty. Tara had escaped from his flat on the day she was found, severely dehydrated and staggering due to her weak state. Vets confirmed she would have been suffering from a lack of food for weeks. Tara was immediately put on a drip, receiving fluids for four hours. How this poor girl survived such neglect and cruelty is a miracle but survive she did. Although not reported in court -Brian Brunton had bred and owned greyhounds for many years. In 2005 he purchased a black female greyhound called Tarzans Lark – very likely Tara -shortly after she finished her career as a betting medium’ at Swindon. He swiftly mated Tarzans Lark with Shevchenko and she gave birth to a litter of three boys and two girls in the following October. Sadly only four of the five siblings were named and of those five – none went on to contest a race. In view of the starvation and neglect Tara had endured at the hands of Brunton, you really have to question the fate of the five greyhounds Brunton bred in 2005. Magistrates said the photographs of Tara, made them almost physically sick and Brian Brunton of 14 Jubilee Flats, Parkway, Siddington, Circencester - as well as his life time ban - was also given an 18 month community order with an 18 month supervision requirement, 100 hours of unpaid work and £500 costs. In mitigation he said he had financial problems and suffered from depression. Thankfully, Tara has now recovered from her neglect and has been successfully re-homed by the RSPCA – who yet again have had to seek justice for the 'waste products' of the racing industry.
Brianna ~ Horrific Case of Neglect
A badly neglected female greyhound found straying near Claudy Northern Ireland with wounds so deep, her hip bones were exposed, may have been dragged on her back suggests a vet.
Staff at the Rainbow Rehoming Centre in Eglington say they are ‘very worried’ about what appears to be the growing trend of neglect of some retired greyhounds in the Londonderry district.
Brianna as she has now been named – is the most recent case to be bought to the centre and raises fears that former racing dogs are being dumped after they lose their competitive edge. Brianna was found straying. Centre volunteer, Joanne Mullan, said: A member of the public found the greyhound wandering in a remote country road on Tuesday morning. He was very annoyed at the sight of her and he took her to his own vet to be looked at." She continued: "The vet initially believed the wounds she has are bed sores, which are caused from lying on hard, cold surfaces and that they were exacerbated because she has little or no body fat. While it is obvious the dog has been lying on a hard, cold surface for a very long period, the vet gave the dog some antibiotics and honey for the wounds, but when we brought her back to him on Monday night he said he is not convinced they are, in fact, bed sores. He thinks it looks like she was dragged on her back end so we can only imagine what happened to her. The greyhound is a 'tattooed' greyhound, so the man who found her then contacted both the PSNI and the USPCA, and the man rang us that night when he felt not enough was being done for the dog. Understandably, he was very angry at the state the dog was in and said he did not feel the authorities showed sufficient interest in his concerns, " She said "He brought the dog to our centre on Wednesday night. She is underweight but we have seen much more emaciated dogs. Her body weight was not what concerned staff at the Centre, however, but the open wounds on her hind quarters. They are horrific. The skin and flesh has worn away to such an extent that her bone is exposed" Said Joanne "We have had many dogs brought into our centre with bed sores, but we have never seen anything this bad. This dog has suffered incredibly and she is clearly underweight." She added: "We intend to contact the Irish Greyhound Board because we are concerned about what happens to greyhounds when they are considered no longer any good for racing. Last year we found a greyhound in a coal sack on the banks of the River Foyle that had been drowned and now this one. It is a very worrying development. " The centre will continue to pressure the IGB to trace Brianna’s former owner, in order someone is held accountable for this dreadful act of abuse and neglect. Rainbow Rehoming not only work hard to rescue as many animals as possible,they also have an excellent Education and Awareness policy.
Please click here to visit their website http://www.rainbowrehoming.com/about/about.htm
AGONY OF CAGED GREYHOUNDS
An animal welfare group called for a boycott of Britain’s £1.7billion greyhound racing industry last night after it found disturbing conditions at kennels run by a notorious breeder. Greyhound Action demanded the closure of ZigZag Kennels in Dunholme, Lincolnshire, after it filmed dogs suffering with open wounds and left struggling to find food.The kennels, which operate in what the group described as a “dilapidated barn”, are run by Charles Pickering, who was exposed two years ago for selling unwanted dogs to university dissection laboratories. Greyhound Action filmed the kennels in February when 70 greyhounds were kept for long periods in small cages that stank of urine and faeces. On one day, the investigators said “nobody fed or visited the dogs from dawn until dusk”. One stated: “On February 21, I saw a puppy get caught through the fence and attacked by the older greyhounds.” Another dog with an injured leg was also pictured picking over rancid meat. Mr Pickering said the dogs’ lives were “idyllic”. He said: “Our resident vet visits regularly. Any dog with a nip or cut is treated with antiseptic and given a course of antibiotics. “As a result of complaints from anti-racing direct action groups, unannounced visits have been made on four separate occasions by different inspectors from the RSPCA. On every occasion the inspectors have reported that the condition of all the dogs and their environment was found to be of the highest order. ”Britain’s greyhound racing industry is worth £1.7billion in bets a year. About 12,000 dogs are bred for racing but most do not make the grade. The RSPCA believes 20 a day disappear.Tony Peters, of Greyhound Action, described ZigZag Kennels as an “appalling establishment” that should be closed. He said:“We are calling on the public not to attend dog tracks or bet on greyhound racing, so this death industry fades away through lack of financial support.”