‘Screams of pain…’
7:29pm Wednesday 20th February 2008
Comments (9)A MAN has spoken of his horror at watching a greyhound limp away in agony during a race meeting at Poole Stadium.
Derek Palmer was celebrating his 37th birthday with friends when one of the dogs, Hi Polejointer, broke a leg as he was leading the night's eighth race.
The greyhound had to be put down by the stadium vet, while Mr Palmer and his friends all left the stadium in distress at what they had seen.
Mr Palmer, who runs an electrical supplies company, said: "I felt devastated.
"The incident turned what should have been a happy celebration into a total nightmare.
"It looked like one of the dog's legs was broken and he was carried off the track screaming in pain.
"Many of the people around us were visibly upset by what had happened and I saw one woman in tears."
Clive Evans, chairman of the Poole Greyhound Owners' and Trainers' Association, said the injury suffered by Hi Polejointer was a particularly bad one, but that such incidents were a very rare occurrence.
He said: "It was just one of those tragic things and doesn't generally happen.
"Legs are broken in all sports - some of them are OK but this one wasn't.
"The vet decided it was kinder to put the dog down on this occasion."
Mr Palmer contacted the campaign group Greyhound Action, which believes the sport should be banned.
Tony Peters, UK co-ordinator of the group said: "Sadly, such horrific injuries to racing dogs are all too common.
"The main reason for this is the shape of the track, which creates a very dangerous environment for dogs to run in."
Mr Evans said Poole's greyhound meetings were run under strict regulations and that most dogs are found homes when they are retired.
Your Say YourDorset Echo
kennelkim, Poole says...
11:38am Thu 21 Feb 08
DawnD, Bournemouth says...
12:41pm Thu 21 Feb 08
kennelkim wrote:That's very true, why is it if the average person were to kill a perfectly healthy dog we would be banned from keeping them, yet these idiots get to kill thousands each year and get away with it in the name of sport. What makes them any better than the dog fighting rings who kill their dogs because they can no longer fight?? This behaviour is barbaric and should be banned, many of these dogs are kept in cages for the majority of their lives and just brought out to race, greyhounds can easily be rehomed in retirement aged 3-4 years and are easily socialised with other pets, there is no need for them to be killed and the RSPCA should fine or strike off any owner or trainer that does this. The racing community as a whole should take action to make their sport more guided to the welfare of their dogs, not of their own pockets!I hope they enjoy their blood money!!
Sadly, such incidents on the track are all too common with many put down for no other reason than the cost for treatment or the fact the animal will no-longer be competitive. Not surprising when you consider thousands of healthy greyhounds are put-to-sleep every year because they are simply too slow or too old (the average retirement age less that 4 years).
Emulated, Bournemouth says...
8:46pm Thu 21 Feb 08
The Blagger, Poole says...
2:23pm Fri 22 Feb 08
godzilla wrote:I agree with this man godzilla; he has said the truth, that this man should not be part of a great sport if he feels about it like this.
A Sad story but unfortunately wherever betting and racing goes on with animals, these things happen, horse racing, dogs are all the same. My father races pigeons and if they do not perform well their necks are wrung, it's a cruel world in any sport.I suggest this man does not bet again if he feels for the animals.
I do not think that many people realise how well these dogs are treated, because all the behind the scene stuff is wonderful. We own greyhounds, and the dogs are groomed regularly, there teeth are cleaned,(how often does mr palmer clean his dog's teeth) they are walked regularly and much more they are spoiled by anyone who sees them. If people could see how they are treated and not just see the racing side, they would feel different. My grandad pays for our dogs to be rehomed after they have raced, (www.retired-greyhou
nd-trust.co.uk)
Every dog that races, is checked before and after a race by the track vet. any incident can happen in any sport.
Owning greyhounds is not a money making sport, it's a enjoyable hobby, and very rarely they pay ther own keep.
Jerry, poole, dorset says...
10:25pm Sat 23 Feb 08
Tony Peters, Greyhound Action says...
7:59pm Wed 5 Mar 08
If they did, we would not have a situation where many thousands (we estimate 20,000 - see www.greyhoundaction.
org.uk/facts2.html
Tony Peters, Greyhound Action says...
8:00pm Wed 5 Mar 08
If they did, we would not have a situation where many thousands (we estimate 20,000 - see www.greyhoundaction.
org.uk/facts2.html
Tony Peters, Greyhound Action says...
8:01pm Wed 5 Mar 08
It is for this reason that we are calling on the public not to attend or bet on greyhound racing, so this death-industry fades away through lack of financial support.
SHOCK: Derek Palmer, at home
In this section
- Heartbreak as dog is stolen
- Hundreds pay tribute to tragic Weymouth mum
- Flower power on the streets of Weymouth
- Dorset author Rodney Legg to start another chapter
- It's Jaws 3 for Weymouth Sea Life worker
- Tolpuddle Martyrs Memorial Cottage U-turn
- Appeal after dog goes missing in Thorncombe Woods
- Weymouth's Universal Engineering unveils new armoured vehicle
- Swine flu scare at Osmington children's camp
- Weymouth addict's name cleared - after his death
Sponsored Links
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
godzilla, hamworthy says...
8:31am Thu 21 Feb 08