apparently, we can e-mail them on animal.welfarebill@defra.gsi.gov.uk. they can't (or won't) reply to individual enquiries but our MP is assured that everything that is sent to them is read.
this information and e-mail link was sent to me by our local MP - after i'd sent him that suggested tract from one of your previous threads.
the working group are due to report at the end of October this year so we shall see what transpires.
ok Suzanne, its a bit of a personal take but here goes..........
i read, with interest, that the welfare of racing (and, presumably ex-racing) greyhounds has reached the fore of animal welfare thinking.
my involvement with greyhounds is limited - we have adopted two ex-racers who have settled with us very well as splendid family pets. they were extremely well cared for by the trainer prior to our adoption. however, my passion for this beautiful breed is not limited.
unfortunately, i know there are unscrupulous trainers and owners, much as there is in any other field of sporting animal. similarly, many track managers/owners are equally uninterested in the welfare of the very animals that provide their livelihood.
i would dearly love to see all tracks licensed by the British Greyhound Racing Board. Furthermore, there should be firm legislation on their conduct and accountability. I believe they have a voluntary code of conduct at the moment but this is clearly insufficient. Voluntary codes are rarely consistent and leave much to the interpretation of local management teams.
the number of greyhounds bred in any one year numbers in the many thousands, in the hope that one or two of them will be top-notch racers. of course, this is not very often the case. the thousands that are deemed to be "no good" are then abandoned to a variety of very unsavoury ends. the numbers of puppies bred should be severely limited by legislation and the breeders/trainers/owners should be bound, by law, to take care of each and every one until they are either adopted by responsible owners or they come to the end of their NATURAL life. prospective owners should also be carefully scrutinised to ensure that are able to provide the correct care for this special breed.
please take the above into consideration when drafting any bill that concerns the welfare of greyhounds.
thank you.
Teresa Hastings
see......a very personal view which, i hope, will help