Press Release on China

international | miscellaneous | press release Thursday April 28, 2011 13:08 by GRAI - Greyhound Rescue Association of Ireland waymeet at eircom dot net

Press Release from The Greyhound Rescue Association of Ireland

Adopted Greyhound at home

To the Editor:
The Greyhound Rescue Association of Ireland represents thirteen welfare organisations which rescue and rehome greyhounds as loving pets. We are also the voice for thousands of greyhound pet owners who have adopted from our combined organisations over many years. We represent several decades of experience in the area of greyhound welfare and are unequivocally objecting to the suggested proposal by the Irish Greyhound Board to export Irish greyhounds to China for racing and breeding.
Our number one objection is China's well documented and indisputable record of widespread abuse of animals, and the complete lack of accountability so far for any greyhounds sent there from other countries. There are no animal welfare laws whatsoever in China and no future for greyhounds sent there except to be killed or euthanised at the end of their racing career.
Secondly we challenge Mr. Neilan's claim of a "world class" welfare system created by the Irish Greyhound Board, which in reality does not exist in Ireland. The evidence is clear from the lack of accountability from the IGB for the large numbers of abandoned and neglected ex-racing greyhounds recovered by our group each year here in Ireland to Mr. Neilan's blatant lack of concern for the passage of the 2010 Greyhound Welfare Act, which is in sharp contrast to his claims of providing world class welfare for greyhounds.
Additionally Mr. Neilan's claim that Irish greyhounds will be cared for by Irish veterinarians, handlers, and trainers on the ground in China is naive at best and an assault on our intelligence as a society at worst. The business venture itself, just like the greyhounds, will inevitably be taken over by the local investors in China or the Chinese government once the industry is established. Just like in other countries where Irish greyhounds have been exported there will ultimately be no recourse available to the IGB short of stopping continued exports. To believe otherwise is the highest order of gullibility and counter to recent history such as the completely failed greyhound racing industry in Spain.
Finally we are disappointed by Mr. Neilan’s lack of interest in listening to the serious concerns of our Association and all other major animal welfare organisations in Ireland. We also note that he continues to ignore the concerns of many within the greyhound racing community itself that are opposed to this project. It is our view that Mr. Neilan lacks long term vision for Ireland's international reputation and no doubt will be long gone when the welfare and financial errors of this disastrous venture come to light, which history says they ultimately will.
We ask "who" besides our Irish greyhounds, will pay the price for these errors? We believe, as it has been for years, that the taxpayers of Ireland will once again pay for a failed venture in greyhound racing.
Yours sincerely
Greyhound Rescue Association Ireland
Members: Animal Heaven Animal Rescue, Clare Animal Welfare, Cottage Rescue, Dog Action Welfare Group Cork, Dundalk Rescue, Dungarvan Rescue, Erin Hounds, Greyhound Hut, Kerry Greyhound Connection, Greyhound Hut, Limerick Animal Welfare, Orchard Greyhound Sanctuary, PAWS Animal Rescue, Pro Animale Ireland

28.04.2011To the Editor: