SWANSEA radio presenter Kevin Johns has lent his voice to a campaign calling for the protection of greyhounds.

Animal welfare organisations have today called on the Assembly to introduce regulations to protect racing dogs in Wales.

The campaign follows the closure of Swansea Greyhound Stadium, which resulted in more than 40 dogs being taken in by animal charities before Christmas.

Kev, who owns a rescued greyhound himself, says more needs to be done.

"I am not a fan of greyhound racing, but at the end of the day it is going to continue and if that is the case dogs should be protected by the law," said the Swansea Sound DJ.

"We took in Kes seven years ago. I was looking on the internet about how greyhounds are abandoned when they are no longer good enough to race, and the terrible things that happen to some of them, so we decided as a family that if we were going to get another dog it would be a rescued greyhound."

The campaign is being led by the Greyhound Welfare Advisory Board, which is made up of Dogs Trust, Greyhound Rescue Wales and RSPCA Cymru.

The board has written to every AM to explain why greyhounds in Wales need protection through regulation, asking for their support.

They are asking for provisions to be put in place to protect racing dogs, including sufficient veterinary care during race meetings and provisions when they are too old to race in order to ensure a happy retirement.

The board is calling for a formal public consultation and hope for new regulations to be put in place by the autumn.

Alain Thomas, a spokesman for the board, said: "We know that many owners care well for their greyhounds, but we are also aware that others do not and that significant numbers of greyhounds in Wales are abandoned or killed when they are no longer able to win races.

"At present racing greyhounds are not protected by any regulations. Many people will remember the case of Last Hope, the greyhound who was found on Fochriw mountain near Caerphilly in May 2004. "His ears had been cut off, he had been shot in the head and he had been left there for some time — but was still alive.

"He was just one of many greyhounds who are shot in Wales each year and regulation is needed to stop this practice once and for all."

The closure of Swansea's Fforestfach Greyhound Stadium last year triggered a frantic search for dog beds and blankets after 40 dogs were handed over to charity organisations.

The stadium closed after organisers failed to secure a long-term lease for the site with council bosses.

Kevin Johns said he spent time searching for abandoned dogs near the stadium at the time.

He added: "If this sport carries on then safeguards must be put in place to make sure this cannot happen."

sion.morgan@swwmedia.co.uk