New report shows pain when we forget that doggie in the window is for life not Christmas

Whether the greyhound industry recovers from the RTÉ expose of indifference to animal welfare remains an open question.

That threat, however, pales when weighed against changing mores. A niche interest, greyhound racing or coursing may simply fade away. What were once seen as its excitements appeal to a shrinking number of people.

However, those who defend greyhound racing will point to yesterday’s Dogs Trust report that since January over 1,900 people ‘relinquished’ a dog.

‘Relinquish’ is, of course, a weasel word for dump with tacit permission to destroy. And, remember, this is just one such organisation, there are many.

‘Relinquishing’ a dog is far better than exporting it to a less than ideal fate which underlines the Dogs Trust pre-Christmas message: A puppy is not just for Christmas. Just as today’s mores condemn coursing, today’s lifestyles make owning a dog and treating it properly ever more difficult. Buying one but not being able to look after it properly is cruel, unwise, distressing, and unacceptable.

Leave that doggie in the window, do not be seduced.