Another letter to send to Tesco to protest about Dog Racing Vouchers being offered to customers. Thank you to Sonya Ward for this one.
Email it to
John Tostevin, Customer Relations Manager, Tesco Freetime Ltd
Customer.Relations@TescoFreetime.com
Deborah Gilbert, Customer Service Manager, Tesco Customer Service
customer.service@tesco.co.uk
Dear Sir/Madam
I urge you to consider removing the Dog Racing Voucher from your
customer brochure. Although this relates to Ireland the effects will be widespread as the fact that
this came to my notice via Spain and France, testifies.
The widespread cruelty to the dogs used in the racing industry is well
documented. Pups not fit for the track are killed and dogs no longer
used for racing are often cruelly mutilated to remove their identity marks ie ears and sections of skin
removed before they are abandoned, usually to suffer a death through
starvation, disease or being hit by traffic.
These are not isolated incidents but typical of the shootings, abandoning and
mutilating of dogs which are no longer useful for the track.
There are frequent accidents at the track when dogs suffering injuries are
put down if there is the luxury of a vet in attendance.
In addition dogs are sold on the hunters in Andalucia where they are used
for the season and then abandoned, hung from trees with wires round
their necks with their feet barely scraping the floor and left to a slow
agonizing death, look on Galgo News website. The Spaniards
jokingly call this, “playing the piano.” The abandonment of dogs in
Spain is in full flow right now, the rescue centres can’t cope and the
incidents of brutality are unbearable to read.
Dog pounds in Britain are full of healthy unwanted racing greyhounds which if not
adopted are given a lethal injection after 7 days.
Look on Dogsblog or Lincoln Greyhound rescue for evidence.
Obviously greyhounds pay a bitter price for the transient pleasure and financial
rewards of punters and owners. It would be fantastic if Tesco bit the
bullet and acknowledged it’s error, presumably made in ignorance, and
instead became the champion of these beautiful and noble dogs who’s
origins date back to the Pharoahs, we should reward them well for their
loyalty to man through the centuries.
It is ironic that greyhounds, the most docile and trusting of creatures should suffer
this fate, especially as ,throughout their working lives they earn taxes
for the benefit of mankind. Perhaps, man “kind “is a misnomer.
it is not the act of racing that is problematic, greyhounds are bred to run, and love it. It is the callous methods so often employed to dispose of unwanted, injured, retired (greys are retired at 2-3 years), and too slow greyhounds that are problematic.
I am sure that a massive company such as Tesco recognise that they not only reflect public opinion, but also have a role in shaping it. Many dog loving customers would be horrified to know the realities of the industry which Tesco is promoting… and as Tesco carry pet food, treats and sundries in almost all their stores, dog lovers are clearly an important consumer group.
This campaign is gaining pace, many dog lovers around the UK are becoming aware of this issue, and of Tesco’s promotion of a sport that results in the death and disposal of many young dogs.
Because of these issues Tesco’s association with dog racing will do nothing to
promote it’s image beyond that of exploitation of
animals. It doesn’t chime well with Tesco’s counters of “Freedom” foods
and organically raised produce around which there in a growing
awareness and an increasing demand.
Thank-you so much for taking the time to read this, I hope you will give
my request careful thought.
Yours faithfully
Name
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