50 greyhound homes needed after dog track closes down
ANIMAL welfare groups face having to find homes for up to 50 dogs following the closure of Swansea's greyhound track at the weekend.
Fears that dozens of dogs could be abandoned at the Fforestfach stadium after its last race on Saturday night proved unfounded.
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Greyhound Rescue chairperson Penny Hard with two rescued greyhounds. PD091105A-01
But, even so, groups working together to ensure a happy outcome for the animals have said there is a lot of work to be done.
Penny Hard from Greyhound Rescue Wales, one of the six organisations involved, said: "We took two dogs away from the stadium.
"One of them was given to us by its owner on the night, but the other was left there after we had gone.
"We were told about it and have since been back to collect it.
"However, a number of responsible owners have also arranged to hand their dogs over to us in the coming two to three weeks."
Swansea Greyhound Stadium has been forced to close after organisers failed to secure a long term-lease for the site with council bosses.
Animal welfare groups launched Operation Greyhound with the aim of putting the dogs in new homes.
The Dogs Trust, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Greyhound Welfare, RSPCA Cymru, RSPCA Llys Nini and Swiss Valley Greyhound Rescue are working together alongside the stadium and the council.
They have brought in 30 emergency kennels, with Morrisons providing a stockpile of food.
Sixteen greyhounds were rescued before Saturday night's operation.
Mrs Harding said in total the organisations expected to take in between 30 and 50 dogs over the next few weeks.
"We will be assessing them before finding them suitable new homes because we have a policy of non-destruction,'' she added.
"What we will have no way of knowing is how many dogs will be unaccounted for. It's a very sad and worrying situation."
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by lil, Swansea
Friday, November 13 2009, 8:19PM
“Sue, Swansea - They council didn't want to keep it open because they want to build factories/ houses there. A couple of years ago there were plans top expand the track to have Speedway etc there but the council wouldn't support it.”
by Sue, Swansea
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 9:15AM
“I dont believe a word that comes out of any animal charities mouth. As already stated the bosses are in it for the cash and i have never known a poor one either. I would also like to know how the figure of 50 would have to be re homed as i thought that this track was open to everyone with a greyhound and not the professionals. I think that the council should have helped to keep it open. Swansea is losing to much now.”
by HJ, Glamorgan
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 12:25AM
“Shall I bring some honest truth to this debate from a Greyhound lover/owner/racer. There is, nor was, any chance of 5o dogs needing rehoming from the Swansea track. If there are 25 dogs which are available to race then I would say thats nearer the truth. I was at the track on Saturday and nobody dumped or attempted to get rid of their beloved dogs as they are pets. Please readers understand this. Swansea is a flapping track, this means anybody who has a greyhound as a pet can just turn up and let their dogs have a run. Greyhounds get so excited at running, its what they love doing. Do not mistake this track as the ones you see in Betting shops with licensed trainers looking after 60 to 100 dogs. Some dog owners go to dog shows, we go racing. They have the best of exercise ,food and most of all love from my family and will continue to do so long after they finish racing. Nobody in the greyhound world of Swansea has heard of these dogs running around the Swansea area as if they are dumped and to be honest I believe this has been made up to make it look worse for the track.”
by Sally Gibson, Talbot Green
Monday, November 09 2009, 11:33PM
“Does it really matter about spelling, grammar etc., the most important thing are the dogs. Let us hope and pray these gentle creatures are now going to find "forever" home and a sofa to call their own.”
by Achmeds, Uncle
Monday, November 09 2009, 9:05PM
“whats the odds on that some dogs wont be cared for?”