MP told of greyhound group’s concerns
volunteers fear proposed legislation is not in animals’ best interests
Published:
AN ABERDEENSHIRE group fighting to change the UK Government’s proposed racing greyhound regulations raised its concerns with an MP yesterday.
Volunteers and workers at Methlick-based Give a Greyhound a Home (Gagah) met Gordon MP Malcolm Bruce in Inverurie to discuss the proposed legislation, as well as introduce him to some of their dogs.
“He said he was not an animal lover, but we took along four of our greyhounds to meet him and he was very good with them”, said Gagah volunteer Fiona Nicholson.
The group believes the proposed legislation is not in the best interests of the animals.
It includes rules such as having a vet present at all race meetings and trials, ensuring that a vet examines each greyhound before racing, and making sure that no greyhound participates in a race if a vet has deemed it unfit.
Mrs Nicholson, 53, of Tulloch Croft, Ellon, said the new legislation is restricted to the greyhounds’ trackside activity only. She added that the new rules are failing to regulate the 90% of racing greyhounds’ lives which they spend away from the tracks.
She also said that the new rules are as relevant in Scotland as they are in England because many greyhounds make their way north at some point in their career.
Mrs Nicholson said the purpose of the meeting was to ask Mr Bruce to put forward a motion to ask if the proposals could be looked at again.
She said: “Mr Bruce came across as interested, genuine and he appreciated our concerns. I am pleased with how our meeting went. Mr Bruce said he was going to make it known that we have been in touch and expressed our feelings about the legislation.
“He also said he appreciates that what is happening in England affects Scotland too and that he is willing to do what he can, so we can’t ask for more than that.”
The proposed legislation will be discussed in parliament at the end of this month.
