Ant and Dec

Carol · Master

Ant and Dec

bluesmumanddad · Master

Caught that too Carol, Yup they were at a grey racing track. They have their own dog and were watching it race. I feel a letter coming on. Their dog maybe ok when too old but what message is it sending people?

Have seen them with animals and they do seem to care maybe ideal candidates to target with a mail shot so they can publicise what can happen after retirement.

Sad fact but I can't imagine dog racing being banned but if we can inform people of what happens to theese beautiful animals once they are injured, too slow or just too old maybe a few more could enjoy a wonderful retirement.

bluesmumanddad · Master

For anyone wanting to contact Ant and Dec, their (slightly indirect) address is:

Attn: Alison Astall
James Grant Management
Syon Lodge, London Road
Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 5BH

Dave · Enlightened One

thanks for info Amanda..

greyflintstone · Master

I hate to be controversial (you can blame the amount of medication I am taking at the moment as I am laid up!) ...........

Yes "Ant & Dec" show did show them at a track, and maybe they do have their own dog and were watching it race, but how do we know what their plans are for the dogs future?! Maybe they plan to keep it on as a pet afterwards (ok, so maybe I'm naive, but not every owner/trainer is a "baddie" surely?!).

Is it not better to work with the industry instead of getting people's backs up and tarring everyone with the same brush? Let's not all jump to the conclusion that everyone who's involved in the dog racing industry has the same mentally.

UndercoverElephant · Master

I'm sure that Ant and Dec have the best intentions towards their dog when it retires, perhaps it will be kept as a pet, who knows? I do, however think that if the young, popular racing greyhound owner could be seen to support the greyhound charities as well as having their dogs race then that would be much better. Sort of a, "Yes, our dog's going to be fine, we'll make sure of it - however, their mates may not be so lucky".

I also wonder if they know/have thought of what happened to their dog's litter mates? Some won't have been good enough, I'd need to know that they'd all been treated OK.

I don't actually have much against the racing of the dogs, Blue is an amazingly competitive dog, he races me up a certain hill in the villiage each time we walk there - and when he wins he prances round looking all smug - he loves it. He does love to race - it's hard to stop him, but I can't stand the way that the racing industry treats the dogs as a business with wastage.

Lesley · Guru

Also the way some dogs are treated to get them to race i.e. on drugs, with horrendous injuries etc., etc. I'll bet Ant and Dec don't know about all that.

bluesmumanddad · Master

I do agree greyflinstone not to tar everyone with the same brush but as I mentioned in first post they would be good people to educate others on what happens to those dogs who are too old injured or too slow plus as Lesley said those who end up on steroids (our Blue was victim to that practice) usually on the flapping track.

I wasn't suggesting that we went on a witch hunt mearly just write a letter stating the above and ask if they would be willing to publicise this.

Amanda

-- Edited by bluesmumanddad at 12:46, 2005-04-17

Carol · Master

I agree with Amanda,

I am certainly not the kind of person to write a nasty letter to anyone and I would not do such a thing in case it damaged GAL's reputation in any way. I don't want anyone to think that I'm trying to start a campaign against them. I'm not.

I am certain that these two lads would treat their dog(s) well but I do however wonder if they are aware of the less than glamorous side of racing. I think that it would do absolutely no harm to raise GAL's profile among famous people who have racing greyhounds and I am sure that Ant and Dec know a few more. If we approach the matter in the correct way then I hope it would do some good for GAL. Who knows, we might be able to help rehome their dogs when it retires.

C

Dave · Enlightened One

think the point I would make is that A&D had the perfect opportunity to demonstrate not only their dog in a race but also the 'aftercare' the dog (will hopefully) receive once it retires, Ant and Dec the 'caring dog owners' would certainly boost their ratings, certainly a trick missed there by their PR department me thinks or possibly the welfare of their dog is something the boys haven't considered?...

Jay · Old Hand

I didn't see the episode in question but I do think that there is a need to educate the public about the greyhound racing industry.

I agree that not all trainers are "baddies," but that fact remains that racing is a multi-million pound industry, based on the hard work of innocent animals, which does next to nothing to look after their welfare when they retire, but is happy to claim the public image created by organisations like GAL who work tirlessly, with little support from the industry (only donations from some trainers), in order to rehome these wonderful animals, which are, by in-large, regarded as waste by that industry. I cite the example of the puppy that GAL couldn't save last week, despite Dave's best efforts, as evidence of that.

Further, there are few statistics available about the number of dogs mortally wounded on the track, or maimed for life in the pursuit of "sport" and profit, let alone those dogs which are destroyed when they slow/"retire." And as for a comparison of number of greyhound births v's numbers rehomed, that truly is a horrific statistic. Many of the "missing" will be racing on Spanish tracks, or being subjected to experimentation, or simply disappear, without us every being able to help.

Chas · Old Hand

Feel I need to put in my tuppence worth to this discussion......

I know everyone involved with GAL have their own opinions on the "merits" of the racing industry and the lives of the dogs before, during and after their racing lives. Most of us have ex racing dogs and know what great pets they make, especially when you have a young family!! But before we all write off to Ant & Dec's publishing company let's remember that the greyhounds were a 10 second part of a much bigger part of the show! OK before I get lynched we do need to ensure that the racing industry isn't glamourised, but as others have said, we need to work with the industry to ensure the welfare of the dogs. Asking for it to be banned will only drive it underground, making it far worse for these fantastic dogs.

What should Ant & Dec do? Start their next series with an article about the care of the animals once their racing career is over. We also have no idea what their intentions are with their own dog...... A mass letter writing exercise, in my opinion, will make no difference! and only annoy thus making people less likely to care!! We need to educate people on how fantastic these animals are as pets and not put people off.

Chas

glendy · Master

I agree about not writing lots of letters as a campaign. I think it would be best if they were contacted officially by GAL with a nicely worded but informational letter.

Any letter coming from GAL would not be a call to end racing nor end Ant and Dec's involvement with it.

FAJ · Enlightened One

I'd bet that Ant and Dec don't have the first scoobie about the less glamerous side of greyhound racing. And I also reckon that there will be people who follow their example and either get a dog of perpetuate the industry.

I don't think that writing letters can hurt, and it can have good results. Eg, a leading woman's magazine featured a ridiculous article about a couple who bought a greyhound to finance a new fitted kitchen! Loads of letters were written, including one from me, and the magazine printed a few of them - one of them from a small greyhound rescue - and did a wee feature on the RGT. Also, look at the campaign to the Spanish authorities about the dogs found dumped down a well. I faxed as many ministers as I'd been given the contact details for! Again, a positive result with the baddies being prosecuted.

Letters doesn't have to be full of vitriole, or demand an immediate ban on the racing industry, to have an effect. Respectful education is the key, and taking a pro-greyhound stance rather than being vehemently anti-racing (regardless of whether or not that his how we feel!). We have to do whatever gets the best results for the dogs.

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

I agree with Glenda - one official educational/information letter from GAL would be enough to raise A&D's awareness of the dark side of greyhound racing and it may well make them stop and think about their ownership of such a wonderful dog and what its future will be once it stops racing.

It could always be backed up by Carol writing a PR letter to them at a later date and asking them to donate to GAL and promote rehoming for retiring greyhounds as a necessary responsibility for their sport.

Christine

Nicki · Big Cheese

I also have to say I agree with Glenda on this one.

and a good idea from christine about a PR letter and a donation.

Steve · Master

In my wee opinion - deffo not complaint letters on mass - just makes us look extreme in our views and then no one listens.

Problem I see is that there are so many grey charities with slightly diff takes on the industry so no real co-ordinated effort. What is needed is more Annette Crosbie celebs who have influence in the media. Otherwise - work with the industry to do the best for the dogs.

Not that I'm an expert on the industry...

Steve · Master

So Dave - your next task - unite the Greyhound charities across Scotland (and then UK) for a Greyhound Awareness Week.

Can you do that within a fortnight???

Dave · Enlightened One

wish I could Steve, without in any way being controversial I'll just say 'politics' and leave it there..

Steve · Master

Dave - I can imagine - would be like ferrets in a sack!

FAJ · Enlightened One

Dave - so why is rescue so political? Aren't people focussed on helping the dogs, rather than empire building? PM me if it's too contentious for a public forum as I'm genuinely interested.

Fiona