Board not putting welfare of greyhounds first

AS an animal lover I am totally opposed to the proposed export of our Irish greyhounds to China.

When these dogs arrive in China they are in Chinese jurisdiction and as such come under Chinese welfare legalisation, which as rightly pointed out by Catherine O’Brien, is non-existent. Are we to assume that hundreds of Irish trainers and kennel hands are relocating to China to live there with their greyhounds for the rest of their lives?

What will happen to “retired racers”, these misfortunate animals are generally put down in their thousands here unless they are lucky enough to go into rescue.

Perhaps the IGB will explain what the Chinese intend to do with our Irish greyhounds in a country that generally does not have a pet culture and has an appalling record on their treatment of animals.

International welfare organisations such as World Society for the Protection of Animals, Born Free, Dogstrust, Blue Cross and our own ISPCA have condemned this proposal outright and have stated it would be a regressive step for Irish animal welfare.

If anything, the IGB’s perusal of this horrendous fate for our greyhounds clearly indicates their interests lie solely in profit and certainly not welfare.

Ed Twohig

Glounthaune

Co Cork