Stop Using Live Animals as Bait in Greyhound Races; Fundamentally this begs me to ask, there are still dog races?
Target: David O’Shannessy, Chief Inspector of the New South Wales Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Link: Click here!
More than 20 greyhound owners are accused of violating animal welfare laws by using live animals as bait for races. Some of the owners and trainers were reportedly using live pigs to entice the dogs. A Greyhound Racing organization supporter said they had been told that anything that squeals had been used to lure the dogs during races at the tracks.
Link: Click here!
Goal: Prosecute greyhound owners who used live animals as bait for racing to the full extent of the law.
More than 20 greyhound owners are accused of violating animal welfare laws by using live animals as bait for races. Some of the owners and trainers were reportedly using live pigs to entice the dogs. A Greyhound Racing organization supporter said they had been told that anything that squeals had been used to lure the dogs during races at the tracks.
This has been an ongoing issue, with older cases reported since the 1970s when rabbits and possums were supposedly being used as inducement. More recent live baiting incidents alleged that all kinds of smaller creatures such as kittens, guinea pigs and chickens were being used. These animals supposedly had any kind of physical defense like teeth or nails removed so as to not harm the greyhounds. Allowing animals to be killed by greyhounds as part of racing tactics is illegal and should not be occurring.
New South Wales Greyhound Racing, the association responsible for regulation, claimed just a year ago that no such activity was occurring. The act of greyhound racing is already inhumane in that it uses animals against their will for entertainment, but throwing in live bait makes this event even more barbaric. This kind of behavior not only harms the small animals being used as bait, it depraves the poor greyhounds who don’t know any better.
Although the trainers and owners have been suspended and their animals disqualified from racing, if these allegations are true, these people need to face the full consequences of their actions to ensure that this is not a recurring problem. Demand these greyhound owners face full prosecution for their revolting acts against the welfare of animals.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear David O’Shannessy,
Over 20 greyhound owners in New South Wales are accused of violating animal welfare laws by live baiting for greyhound races. This has been an issue for too long now, dating back to the 1970s when rabbits and possums were allegedly used as live bait. More recent incidents reportedly cited that kittens, guinea pigs and chickens were being used.
Greyhound racing is already an inhumane act that uses animals for human entertainment against their will. Allowing animals to be killed by greyhounds as part of racing tactics is illegal, and this behavior not only harms the small animals being used as bait, it depraves the poor greyhounds who don’t know any better. I urge you to fully prosecute these owners and trainers for their offenses against animal welfare.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: calliope via Flickr
