The latest news is that Dogs Trust, along with other organisations, are onto the case of how these greyhounds came to suffocate on their journey from Rosslare, Ireland, to Spain via Cherbourg, France. An illustration of what the Irish Greyhound Board are doing to deal with the unwanted greyhounds in Ireland.
DAFM is the Irish equivalent of DEFRA. Their Principle Officer in the Welfare Section is workking closely with the French authorities investigating what happened. It appears that the dogs were in a Spanish transporter; the dogs were microchipped and vaccinated but there are sevious doubts whether the transport was compliant with the regulations governing commercial documentation.
It is possible that Irish Ferries weren’t notified that the vehicle was carrying dogs. The discovery of the dead dogs was only made when the driver asked to go on the car deck as the ferry docked. The driver was arrested and interviewed.
If anyone suspects any of the dogs might be theirs, contact barry.coleman@igb.ie
Reports would appear to indicate that the greyhounds originated from Co Tipperary.
The IGB have issued a Press release.
NB I have not put a weblink to DAFM as a warning came up that my computer could be at risk from anyone attacking the DAFM website
This press release has been issued by the Greyhound Rescue Association Ireland.
From GRAI:
The following press release was issued to media contacts around Ireland on behalf of GRAI to inform them of the incident involving the death of 11 Irish greyhounds on a ferry to France on 27/10/2014:
‘Yesterday I was made aware via a contact in France of the death last weekend of eleven Irish racing greyhounds en route to Spain via France on the Irish Ferries vessel “The Oscar Wilde”. To date, this event has not been reported in any Irish newspaper although it has been covered in the French press.
The ferry docked at Cherbourg on the afternoon of Monday October 27th and the dogs were found to have asphyxiated in a transport van due to being packed too tightly into crates. There were 2 dogs per crate, in clear violation of the Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011 and of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport. The dogs were registered racing dogs and were bound for Spain where they were to be used for breeding with Spanish Galgos.
Anybody who is familiar with the greyhound racing industry in Ireland will be well aware of the unfortunate fate of Irish greyhounds who are sent there for the largely unregulated hunting industry. The galgueros (greyhound hunters) are notorious for their maltreatment of these animals who are regularly hung from trees at the end of the season.
The 11 dogs who died on Monday had their paperwork processed and vaccinations completed as per requirements. The veterinary surgery which signed off on this was Southview Veterinary Clinic, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. It appears that procedure was followed up until this point. The discovery of the dead animals was made by the Gendarmes Maritime of Cherbourg SPPP [maritime and port surveillance platoon] and the Spanish driver of the van was held for questioning but later released. The cause of death was determined as asphyxiation by a French vet at Cherbourg but I have not been able to find out his or her name.
I have however managed to find out that the transport was arranged by Tipperary racing breeder and trainer Gil Liddle, a prominent member of the racing community.
It’s crucial that a proper investigation take place to ascertain the exact circumstances of the death of these greyhounds and the reasons why it was possible for the transporter to so flagrantly transgress legislation and guidelines relating to their transport. All of the dogs were registered with the IGB so they should also be obliged to release information relating to the registered owners of these dogs.
At a time when the IBG are promoting a welfare conscious image and marketing Christmas parties, questions need to be answered relating to the welfare of dogs sent abroad.
I have been told by contacts in Spain that Irish greyhounds are being purchased out there for as little as €100 and crudely disposed of once they are no longer useful for breeding or hunting. The perceived low monetary value of these dogs leads in turn to the cost-cutting methods resorted to by the transporter this weekend who was most likely overloading his vehicle in an effort to save money.
A friend has just sent me on a quote from Gil on ‘Greyhound Data’, complaining about the difficulties of making money in the greyhound business so it seems likely this disaster was the result of cost-cutting measures on his part.
Asphyxiation over the course of a 18 hour journey is an appalling way to die and these animals will have really suffered at the end. I hope that this horrible occurrence gets some media attention and that you might see fit to write about it for the Examiner.’
Comments
5 responses to “UPDATE on dead greyhounds from Ireland to Spain”
I don’t understand re the irish ferries did not know of the dogs on board the van on board their ship I am to understand every vehicle is searched when either docking or boarding is that correct was therenot any noise when you think about it some sort of scuffle growling and snapping is another thought come to my mind with stress because of been so tight together I have seen it befor a greyhound just standing oon anothers foot or just simply knocking into another can cause ructions was there not any noise at all from these hounds to raise the alarm
Panorama last night on BBC – undercover investigation on the greyhound racing industry – drugging dogs, disappearing dogs and lots more. The GBGB can’t even answer the most basic questions about the welfare of these dogs. GOOD – shows them up for what they really are. Well done to Deb Rothery of TIA greyhounds for telling the truth and saving thousands of dogs. TIA greyhounds – the biggest greyhound rescue in Yorkshire providing a sanctuary for 100 greyhounds at any one time. Thank you TIA for caring so passionately and saving them.
ye seen it Kathryn buy the book behind the lights the totes and the none starters it will open your eyes even more but it is a hard read deb is truthful the only way to be were greys are concerned I have stayed there twice its nice to see my sponsor dog bluebell and all the others waiting
I have not been to TIA Jenny but would like to go soon. I know that they are moving to Doncaster in the next few months. Ah Bluebell, she has had a hard time of it. I sponsor Millie and Chester the mastiffs that Deb took in when her friend died of cancer, who knows what would have happened to them without TIA. Deb says it as it is but good for her, I prefer that to any fluffy stuff. She has saved tens of thousands of greyhounds over the years and is very vocal about the greyhound racing industry. Yes there are some beautiful dogs waiting for a forever home at TIA.
ye they going jan time I think they are appealing for helpers to transport the greys the horses a couple of donkeys I think goats cant remember if a couple of sheep aswell I would love to help but don’t know if it will be pos for me I will admit it is out in the sticks we got lost first time we went had to ring bob we had gone by the turn off on to a lane that leads up to nucky crook lane so easy to miss then the second time I went on train and deb picked me up and took me back to station I made her laugh the next day we was stuck in the apartment 3 of the horses was guiding the door and the window at side each time I opened the door they would come rushing to us horses can be powerful animals if you show any concerns it can confuse them so I had to just keep shouting until she heard me she said don’t you like horses I said I love them to death but with me been a stranger you don’t know if they would get confused just thought I would stick to the safe way she laughed I said lokk all want to do is get through that gate to the greys want to start walking them an I get held hostage lol ha ha ha still laugh about that