Good news already for Henlow campaign

Within days of the start of Bedfordshire Greyhound Action's campaign to close the dog track at Henlow Stadium, we have received the following message:-

Our local pub had an outing to Henlow dog track in Bedfordshire yesterday and my husband and I went along. There were a couple of people with placards at the gate – until I saw them I hadn’t really thought anything about the dogs themselves - if I had done, I would have assumed they were cared for. When I got home, I looked up information on the internet, and won’t be going again.

This is very encouraging, as, in our experience, for every person who tells us they will never attend greyhound racing again, there are many others who have also been put off from "going to the dogs", but don't take the trouble to get in touch.

Local Greyhound Action supporters have begun to hold weekly demos/leafletting outside the track as part of the campaign. For contact details/more info, see http://greyhound-action.blogspot.com/2010/12/campaign-launched-to-close-henlow.html

Campaign launched to close Henlow greyhound track

Following a very successful demonstration on November 27th, local Greyhound Action supporters have decided to launch a campaign to close the greyhound track at Henlow Stadium and are hoping to hold regular demos/leafletting there on Saturday evenings.

Please try to help/support this campaign, especially if you live in or near the Bedfordshire/North Herts area.

If you'd like to take part in demos, even if only occasionally, or help in any other way, please contact Bedfordshire Greyhound Action at bedsgreyhoundaction@hotmail.co.uk or on 07938 819794.

There was controversy surrounding the Henlow track last year when a trainer who races greyhounds there had four healthy dogs "put down" by a local vet (see www.thecomet.net/news/inquiry_launched_after_vet_destoys_greyhounds_1_271862)

In addition to such appalling incidents, the existence of the track is responsible for the putting to death of an estimated 400+ greyhounds every year, because of the demand it creates for these dogs to be bred and subsequently disposed of, after failing to make the grade as racers or when their "careers" on the track come to an end.

Scotland - Greyhound breeder jailed for cannabis factory

Greyhound breeder Alexander Cameron, who set up a "sophisticated" cannabis factory in disused dog kennels in West Lothian, has been jailed for six years.

Alexander Cameron - 6 years jail

http://www.glasgowwired.co.uk/news.php/84513-Greyhound-breeder-Cameron-guilty-of-producing-cannabis

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-11727662

Demo at Henlow dog track - this Sat, November 27th

Demo at Henlow dog track
This Saturday, November 27th, 6pm to 7-30pm

Local Greyhound Action supporters will be holding an anti dog racing demo and leafletting this Saturday, November 27th, from 6pm to 7.30pm, outside Henlow Greyhound Stadium, Beds, to coincide with a race-night taking place there.

A previous demo at Henlow Stadium

Please do your best to attend, especially if you live in or near the Bedfordshire area, and do bring along anti greyhound racing banners and placards, if you can.

Address: Henlow Greyhound Stadium, Bedford Road, Henlow Camp, Beds, SG16 6EA

Location: Opposite Henlow Camp, about 6 miles north of Hitchin on the A600 Hitchin to Bedford road.

Maps at http://tinyurl.com/ge4ba and http://tinyurl.com/khwoq

Contact Rose on 07884 163205, if you need more information.

Helping gamblers - and greyhounds too

"Overcoming Gambling: A guide for problem and compulsive gamblers", a book designed to help compulsive gamblers overcome their addiction, aims to help greyhounds too.

The book's author, Phil Mawer, has told us: "I have included your web address in the back of useful contacts and one chapter of the book is devoted to showing compulsive gamblers the animal cruelty involved in greyhound and horse racing. Part of their recovery is suggested as helping out at re-homing sanctuaries and the RSPCA."

The book can be ordered at http://tinyurl.com/OvercomingProblemGambling

Cathy's great run for the greyhounds!

Many thanks to all who sponsored her in 10k race

We're very happy to bring you the good news that Cathy Clements successfully completed the Stratford Big 10k race, which she ran to raise much-needed funds for Greyhound Action's campaign to protect greyhounds from suffering and slaughter.

Cathy with one of her canine friends, Willow

Cathy completed the race in just under 67 minutes, which we think is pretty good for someone who only started running in May! There's a great little video of her finishing the race at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKIYBgW38Fc

Here's what Cathy had to say about her run:-

"I thought all of you who had sponsored me would like to hear how the race went last weekend. With the training done it was time to put it all into action.
It started out flat along a disused railway which got me well warmed up then after 5k the hills started coming and though they were demanding I kept up the pace and didn't walk once. I was determined to keep running and the down hill sections gave great relief.
The atmosphere was brilliant, the views were wonderful and occasional spectators gave support from the side-lines which really gave me a spring in my step.
Of course the thought of raising money for GA was never far from my thoughts, so I knew there was no letting up. It was a fantastic feeling to finally cross the finish line seeing smiles from my supporters and I suddenly felt like I could do it all again.
Thanks so much to all who supported me and helped me raise money for Greyhound Action, they are always in desperate need of funds so I know they will be pleased with every penny."

Thank you so much to everyone who made donations, collected sponsors and sent sponsorship pledges in support of Cathy. Those who sent pledges can go to http://www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/donations.html to make their donation. And even if you didn't send a pledge, it's not too late, as you can still make a donation in recognition of Cathy's dedicated effort to help the greyhounds.

"Why Britain's Greyhound Tracks are Inherently Lethal"

Excellent article from Greyhound Watch at:-
www.dognews.co.uk/why-britain%E2%80%99s-greyhound-tracks-are-inherently-lethal

See also:- http://greyhound-watch.blogspot.com

Shocking Views on Greyhound Welfare Expressed by Industry Insider

www.dogmagazine.net/archives/6298/shocking-views-on-greyhound-welfare-expressed-by-industry-insider

Florida, USA - Kennel Abandoned, Dogs Left to Die at Ebro Greyhound Park

See http://www.grey2kusa.org/eNEWS/G2K-110210Email_.html for more information and what you can do to help.

Latest GA newsletter now available on-line

Running for their Lives! - Autumn 2010

Star spangled banners! - Dog racing dying in the USA

In this special double edition of Running for their Lives! we're focusing on the other side of the Atlantic, to bring you the wonderful news that three American states, plus the US territory of Guam, have banned commercial greyhound racing this year, and it has come to an end in two others within the past 12 months.

You can view/download it, in pdf format, from http://tinyurl.com/RtfLAutumn2010

Future issues of the newsletter will also be available on-line, shortly after they are published, and back issues can be found at www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/news.html

If you currently receive Running for their Lives! by post, but would prefer to obtain it on-line instead, please let us know, as this will obviously help us to save on postal costs.

If you live outside of Britain, we would prefer that you obtained the newsletter on-line, as we try to avoid using airmail for environmental reasons.

Beautiful greyhound calendars for sale

Order yours now and help protect these lovely dogs

Beautiful 2011 calendars produced by Action for Greyhounds UK are now on sale.

Order yours now, so as not to be disappointed, and at the same time help to save these lovely dogs from suffering and slaughter, as all profits go to help AFG's hardworking campaign to protect greyhounds in East Anglia.

For more information, see www.actionforgreyhounds.co.uk/Calendars.htm

LUSH greyhound protection campaign - now online

www.lush.co.uk/articles/our_ethical_campaigns/greyhound_racing.html

LUSH campaign update - greyhounds needed on October 13th!

**Please let us know if you're taking dogs along**

Many thanks to all our supporters who've already told us they'll be going along to their local LUSH store by 12 noon on Wednesday, October 13th in support of LUSH's nationwide greyhound protection campaign (see http://greyhound-action.blogspot.com/2010/09/lush-to-launch-greyhound-protection.html for more information).

It would be great to get as many rescued greyhounds as possible along to the stores where dogs are allowed, which are:-
Aberdeen, Bath, Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Chelmsford, Chester, Chichester, Croydon, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow (Buchanan St), Glasgow (Sauchiehall St), Guildford, Harrogate, Hull, Inverness, Leeds, Liverpool, Kingston-upon-Thames, Lincoln, London (Chelsea - Kings Rd), London (Liverpool Street Station), London (Notting Hill - Portobello Rd), London (Victoria Station), London (West End - Regent St), London (West End - South Molton Street), London (Wimbledon), Maidstone, Manchester (Market St), Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Oxford, Poole, Sheffield (Fargate St), Solihull, Southampton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Swansea, Swindon, Taunton, Truro, Windsor, Worcester, York.

Full addresses can be found at http://www.lush.co.uk/shop-finder

A new LUSH store has just opened at Unit 2, The Maltings, St Albans, AL1 3HL and will also be taking part in the campaign.

**If you intend taking greyhounds along on October 13th, please tell Greyhound Action as soon as possible (together with the names of the greyhounds), so we can give LUSH some information about the dogs that will be at each store. Call us on 01562 700 043 or e-mail info@greyhoundaction.org.uk**

LUSH stores at Leicester and Norwich will be closed for refurbishment on October 13th. We are awaiting further information re Leicester, but the Norwich store will be doing the campaign later in the month, so if you live in or near the Norwich area and would like to help with this, please contact Action for Greyhounds (UK) (see http://www.actionforgreyhounds.co.uk) for full details.

LUSH campaign - appeal for help in Scotland

We have received the message below from Greyhound Action Scotland:-

We are looking for people with rescue greyhounds to go along to one of their Scottish stores on Wednesday 13th October at 12 noon. for a press call

The stores are in the following locations:
EDINBURGH - 44 Princes Street  EH2 2BY
GLASGOW - 111 Buchanan Street G1 3HF
GLASGOW - 136 Sauchiehall Street G2 3ER
INVERNESS -23 High Street IV1 1HT
ABERDEEN - 81 Union Street AB11 6BD

One store in Glasgow and the Dundee branch are in shopping centres therefore no dogs will be able to access to these stores.

I would appreciate anyone intending on going along to any of the stores, let us know - greyhoundactionscotland@btopenworld.com   so we can try and ensure there is at least one hound in each store.

Alternatively you can confirm your attendance by using our facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=163322240349372

Please feel free to crosspost/forward this email to anyone you know who may be able to come along.

Thanks again
www.greyhoundactionscotland.org.uk

Lush to launch greyhound protection campaign

Your support needed on October 13th!

We are delighted to announce that Lush Cosmetics is launching an in-store campaign "to highlight the cruelty that is going on in greyhound racing".

The campaign, which will run in more than 90 Lush stores throughout the UK and Ireland from October 11th - 17th, is aimed at helping Greyhound Action in our mission to educate the public about the problems with betting on greyhound racing and going to the tracks.

Lush, which operates a strict policy against animal testing and supports Fair Trade and Community Trade initiatives, has already staged many campaigns in support of animal and environmental protection and human rights issues (see http://www.lush.co.uk/articles/our_ethical_campaigns/introduction.html).

Lush's most important date and time for the greyhounds is Wednesday, October 13th at 12 noon, when the media will be invited to stores that are running  the campaign. Lush shop assistants will be wearing running numbers and carrying placards saying "Don't bet on it! Help end greyhound racing!" and customers will be invited to join in and try to win a small prize by participating in a human race. Where possible, Lush would also like rescued greyhounds to be present.

Lush stores that are running the greyhound campaign are as follows:-

Aberdeen, Basingstoke*, Bath, Belfast, Birmingham, Bolton*, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Bromley*, Cambridge, Cardiff, Carlisle*, Chelmsford, Cheltenham*, Chester, Chichester, Colchester*, Cork, Coventry*, Crawley*, Croydon, Dartford (Bluewater)*, Derby*, Doncaster*, Dublin (Grafton St), Dublin (Henry St), Dudley (Merry Hill)*, Dundee*, Edinburgh, Exeter, Gateshead*, Glasgow (Braehead)*, Glasgow (Buchanan St), Glasgow (Sauchiehall St), Grays (Lakeside)*, Guildford, Harrogate, High Wycombe*, Hull, Inverness, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Kingston-upon-Thames, Lincoln, London (Chelsea - Kings Rd), London (Covent Garden)*, London (Liverpool Street Station), London (Notting Hill - Portobello Rd), London (Victoria Station), London (West End - Regent St), London (West End - South Molton Street), London (White City)*, London (Wimbledon), Luton*, Maidstone, Manchester (Arndale)*, Manchester (Market St), Manchester (Trafford Centre)*, Middlesbrough*, Milton Keynes*, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Newry*, Northampton*, Nottingham, Norwich, Oxford, Peterborough*, Plymouth*, Poole, Portsmouth*, Preston*, Reading*, Romford*, Sheffield (Fargate St), Sheffield (Meadowhall Centre)*, Solihull, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent (Hanley)*, Stratford-upon-Avon, Swansea, Swindon, Taunton, Telford*, Truro, Warrington*, Watford*, Windsor, Worcester, York.

Please try to get along to your nearest Lush store at 12 noon on Wednesday, October 13th to show your support and help make the campaign a big success. And, if you have rescued greyhounds, do try to take them along (where possible) to help show the public the beauty and gentleness of these wonderful dogs that are so callously abused by the racing industry.

Unfortunately, greyhounds cannot be taken to the stores in the list above that are marked with an asterisk (*), as these are located in shopping malls where dogs are not allowed.

For full addresses of the stores and to find those nearest to you, go to http://www.lush.co.uk/shop-finder

If you intend taking part on October 13th, please let us know (at info@greyhoundaction.org.uk or on 01562 700 043) and tell us which store you are going to, so we can give Lush some idea of the numbers of people and greyhounds that will be involved.

If you can't make it along to a Lush store on the 13th, but can do  so on other days during that week (with or without greyhounds), your support will still be appreciated, as each store will have hundreds of leaflets for distribution to customers and passers-by.

Lush Derby benefit gig for Greyhound Action (photo by Liam Joseph Halligan)     

In August the Lush Derby store put on a benefit gig for Greyhound Action and raised over £500 for our campaign to protect greyhounds. You can see more pics from this on their Facebook site at
www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=477655&id=504650570&ref=mf

Greyhound Awareness Week goes well

Many thanks to all of our supporters who took part in Greyhound Awareness Week (May 22nd - 30th).

Demo outside Hall Green Stadium, Birmingham during Greyhound Awareness Week

The Week gave an opportunity for all those concerned about the plight of greyhounds to educate the public about the mass slaughter of dogs caused by the greyhound racing industry, and street stalls, demos outside greyhound tracks and other educational events took place in various parts of the country.

What was particularly pleasing this year was the amount of media attention generated, with many of our supporters' letters being published in local newspapers and an extensive report on Sky News (see http://tinyurl.com/SkyNews-GAW).

The week ended with an exposé of cruel greyhound breeder Charles Pickering, following a Greyhound Action investigation (see http://www.greytexploitations.com/resources-and-reports/zigzag-stud-and-puppy-farm-suppliers-to-liverpool-university-a-the-racing-industry).

Exposed by the Sunday Express - greyhounds caged at squalid ZigZag Kennels

Help close Manchester death track!

Greyhound Action North-West (GANW) are appealing for more help and support for their efforts to end greyhound racing at Manchester's Belle Vue Stadium.

Their campaign has been so successful in reducing attendances at dog racing there, that Belle Vue has called a halt to Tuesday night races and made a number of staff members redundant because of financial problems.

The Racing Post has reported that the stadium may have to cease holding some of its more lucrative races, because it is having difficulty finding sponsors to fund them.

Belle Vue has also been hit very hard by a report in the Manchester Evening News about the large number of greyhounds that are being seriously injured and "put down" at the stadium (See www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1232532_30_injured_greyhounds_put_down_at_dog_track).

With the track in such a weak financial situation, now is the time to give increased support to the campaign to totally end dog racing there.

GANW hold demos/leafletting sessions outside the stadium almost every Saturday evening, but urgently need more volunteers to help keep these going.

So, if you live in or near the Manchester area and can get along to help outside Belle Vue, even if only occasionally, please contact GANW at greyhoundactionnorthwest@hotmail.co.uk or on 07952 238592.

Photos of a recent demo outside Belle Vue can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/BelleVueDemoApril2010

Sunday Express: 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."

Full story at:-
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/178015/Agony-of-caged-greyhounds

Australia: Dog racing manager guilty of child porn possession

http://www.greyhound-data.com/knowledge.php?b=4&note=583726


A pity he couldn't also be prosecuted for exploiting greyhounds.

USA: Greyhound Racing Ends in New England

http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/juice/2010/05/greyhound_racing_ends_in_new_e.php

USA: Alabama - 2 greyhounds doped with cocaine

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/05/greyhound_at_the_birmingham_ra.html

Excellent book about Spanish galgos

From Heaven to Hell - The Story of the Galgo Espanol by Beryl Brennan

Here's what Beryl has told us about her recently published book:-

"My book is a definitive guide to the Galgo Espanol, I don't think there is another one on the market, I haven't found one.  I explore the breed from ancient history to present day, methods of disposal, dog pounds and killing stations, diseases, EU and Spanish Animal Welfare Acts - including ones which could be used to stop the maltreatment of galgos - Spanish and International Rescue Associations, educating the young, and how to solve the problem in which I discuss banning racing and hunting with galgos.  
There is also a chapter on the racing and hunting federations, in which I attack them for not putting an end to what they do, and to this chapter is added an extract (about 4 pages) from a report presented by Beatrice Monnet of L'Europe des Levriers, the association I mainly work with) to the European Commission calling for a ban on hunting with galgos.  
I also mention the GRGB (Greyhound Board of Great Britain) and the fact that they claim reports of maltreatment to greyhounds are isolated incidents and that the rescue associations and GA can absolutely prove otherwise, and I attack the government, regional, provincial and municipal authorities for doing nothing about it and also, without actually using the word 'corrupt' show how corrupt it all is because judges, police etc are also hunters and will not take the steps necessary to help stamp out hunting with galgos.
My book is intended to expose, publicise and explain to everyone in one source (there's plenty of lots of different websites, but not all together in one source) how the problem of the galgos - especially hanging them from trees - has come about and to shame Spain into doing something about it."

We recommend this book to all our supporters and everyone who is concerned about the plight of greyhounds and galgos.

It's currently available as an ebook and the printed version will be published on June 14th.

For more info and to order your copy, click on the links below. A percentage of the proceeds will go towards galgo protection.

Ebook:-
http://www.scootbooks.com/books/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=8

Printed version:-
http://www.scootbooks.com/books/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=10

USA: Kansas senate rejects reviving tracks

More good news from the USA.

http://www.morningsun.net/topstories/x1035101897/Senate-narrowly-rejects-reviving-tracks

Answers and apology demanded from Irish Coursing Club

See http://www.indymedia.ie/article/96518

To learn why Greyhound Action opposes coursing, see
http://www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/facts5.html

New Zealand: Harness Racing Club evicts Greyhound Club

More good news for greyhounds from down under

See http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=80307

Although harness racing also involves the exploitation and persecution
of animals, we're pleased to see further evidence of the decline of
the greyhound racing industry in New Zealand.

Manchester: "Close track" call after another dog dies

"An international greyhound protection group has renewed its calls for the closure of the dog track at Manchester's Belle Vue Stadium, after learning of the death of yet another greyhound there."

See http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/04/448602.html for full story and how you can help the campaign to close this track.