One charge for killing 10,000 greyhounds

Jennifer · Master

One charge for killing 10,000 greyhounds

Valerie · Guru

It is a disgusting and horrible case, but I think that it's good that at least a charge is being brought by the Environment agency for the pollution of the ground. Killing the dogs is bad enough, but then dumping them in a mass grave as well.......... is beyond words.
The case brought by the Environment agency keeps this issue in the headlines, and may even save some greys, while bringing pressure on the rescue agencies. It says the man may even go to prison, so it's a serious charge given the RSPCA cannot bring charges for the acts.

PeterE · Old Hand

Seems he wasn't done at all for killing the dogs as he did it humanely and with a legitimately owned bolt-gun. They got him for illegally burying waste (i.e. the bodies of the dead dogs) on unlicensed ground (his garden). This is quite a tough one, it all sounds horrible but being killed humanely is very sadly not the worst thing that can happen to an ex-racer. This whole story just highlights their plight and the ways that sleasy people can make a few quid. I'm glad the law was at least able to get him for something. I'm so thankful that my Daz is safe from all this nastiness.

Gail · Old Hand

Doesn't the whole sorry story of what this guy did not make you look at your own dogs and just think "what if.....".

Laws need to be changed to stop any one else ever making this sort of money from the death and destruction of healthy Greyhounds. It seems that legally he has done nothing wrong but MORALLY he certainly has!! In my eyes, any sentence or fine he receives will never be enough.

yvonne · Master

What this man did, although not illegal or cruelty according to the RSPCA is still despicable. That fact he can only be charged with one offence shows how sadly lacking our legal system is. The only other thing I'm wondering is, why is the tax office not taking a keen interest in this man as well. 10,000 dogs at £10 a time certainly mounts up.

grahamrobinson · Old Hand

Follow up from the Telegraph - the Magistrates have decided he deserves a harsher sentence than the £20,000 fine and/or 6 months prison they can give him, so have referred him to the Crown Court for a harsher sentence.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/02/16/ndogs116.xml

My opinion is that at least someone is using the laws that are available to punish this obnoxious man, and at least the magistrates are taking the case seriously. Still need a proper law, though...

Cheers,
Graham

niccimac · Old Hand

Sounds like the judge has taken this case seriously, which is so heartening. If he'd slaughtered 10000 healthy pooches of a fashionable breed, there would be a huge outcry. Mind you, the owners who want to get rid of their surplus dogs now will probably just send them to Dalkeith and get the job done for nothing.

Isla · Enlightened One

I'm glad this monster will get a harsher sentence - it will still be far less than he deserves, however it makes me so sad that their lives are worth so little.

-- Edited by Isla at 12:47, 2007-02-17

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

THE NORTHERN ECHO

Gail · Old Hand

According to this article, Smith destroyed dogs that were "sick or unfit to race"......in other words...not fast enough!!

Michelle · Master

I must admit when I saw on the news that he was being prosecuted for illegal dumping and an illegal landfill site my thoughts were, at least someone is obviously trying there hardest to get him for something and for that I am grateful. So many cases of animal cruelty get away scot-free.