2020: The GBGB’s Greyhound Retirement scheme (Brick appeal, chapter 5)
There is no doubt that the racing industry is in decline, five runner races due to shortage of dogs are becoming the norm. Trainers, unable to stomach the injuries or the bills any longer are hanging up the leads and going fishing. Younger trainers tend to employ accountants and read the runes. A few rising stars have called it a day.
On the 1st September 2020 the Greyhound Retirement Scheme was launched – you can read the GBGB’s leaflet on it by clicking here. On the face of it, it sounded wonderful and to be fair it is a start. In order to race in the UK a bond of £200 must be paid and upon the greyhound’s retirement, that money and a further £200 from the GBGB is passed to approved rescue centres upon proof of their safe arrival, they don’t even have to be registered charities. All greyhounds would now go on and live happily ever after. However there are conditions, lots of them, such as assessment tests at the larger rescue centres where failures are destroyed. Many all breed dog rescues understandably have jumped on the band wagon to claim their £400 bond. It sticks in our throat a bit but that is their business.
The owners and trainers don’t have to follow the scheme though, they can just give them away to anyone they want. Several of those have turned up at Tia in the last few weeks, some in dire condition. Their records state that they have been rehomed as a pet. Sure, amazing how many owners do this and don’t start me on the syndicates.
Tia has long been courted by the GBGB for this scheme and Christ it has been tempting at times. Click here to see the spreadsheet that lists the 114 arrivals at Tia since the scheme’s starting date. Tia’s dogs rarely come straight from the track. We take the dogs that fall through the cracks, the ‘useless’ like Roger and Etta, those raced purely in Ireland like Edie and strays like our latest arrival Edward. Take a look at the list, 114 since 1st September 2020. That is a hell of a lot of money. At least, it would be if it wasn’t for the fact that of these dogs only 33 qualified for the GBGB’s rehoming scheme. The other 81 would not have qualified. Where will those dogs go when there’s no financial incentive to take them?
There’s another snag to the scheme. A velvet gagging order, and with our mouth it is never going to happen. Racing is to be portrayed in a more positive light so no more stories of hat racks like Twirl and Wallace. No more Sheffield 13’s like Mr Mole or stray of the day stories like the brilliant courser Glencoe. If you take the Kings shilling…you are the King’s man. Nope!
Sorry guys, the wedding is off, the dowry was tempting but it wouldn’t work. Tia is sure you will find someone else.
Pictured below: William and Wallace when they first arrived at Tia.
