Dee Adcock's article Charity's fears over welfare of greyhounds' (Echo, March 5) highlighted the commendable work of Wendy Hassell who helps to rehome retired racing greyhounds.

However, it is a great shame that the article was also used to propagate fiction about what happens to greyhounds when they retire from racing with parts of the article inaccurate and highly offensive.

The fact is that when their racing career is over most greyhounds will live out a happy retirement. Less than 10,000 greyhounds are now coming into licensed racing each year.

Almost 4,500 are rehomed annually by the Retired Greyhound Trust - twice as many as five years ago. Approximately a further 3,500 find homes either with their owners, their trainer or through other rehoming charities.

Some of the others will continue their careers on independent tracks or will return to their native Ireland.

Some are euthanased, because, for example, they are temperamentally unsuitable for rehoming or for health reasons. The rules lay down that this be done by a registered vet and anyone doing otherwise risks a ban from the sport and even prosecution.

Greyhound racing is not a vile industry' as Ms Hassell suggests. The vast majority of people in the sport love their dogs and there is absolutely no place for those that mistreat these beautiful animals.

Our rules and regulations, combined with the Animal Welfare Act gives greyhounds increasingly robust protection Your article does at least serve to highlight one important point; that Ms Hassell or a branch of the Retired Greyhound Trust (www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk) can fix you up with a low-maintenance greyhound who will be your faithful, friendly companion for life.

Lord David Lipsey, Chairman, British Greyhound Racing Board,