GBGB chairman Davies hits out at ‘extremist nonsense’ in column

SIR PHILIP DAVIES, the GBGB chairman, has said that some of those opposed to greyhound racing can no longer merely be regarded as ‘harmless extremists’.

Writing the Monday Column in the Racing Post - reproduced with their kind permission here - Davies called on those involved in the sport to be ‘loud and proud’ and never defensive.

Subsequent to the Davies' column, GBGB chief executive Mark Bird reacted to the establishment of a 'greyhoundwatch' website by Animal Aid purporting to track greyhonds who have not raced for some time.

Bird said: "Animal Aid have launched yet another outrageous and baseless campaign in their misguided quest to ban the well-regulated sport of greyhound racing, once again demonstrating a complete misunderstanding of the sport and indeed of animals in general. 

"We have had floods of messages from disappointed and frustrated owners and trainers and have seen hundreds of posts on social media sharing photos of the supposedly 'missing' greyhounds enjoying their lives, whether running around the paddock at their racing kennels, or curled up on the sofa in their forever homes.

"One greyhound, Bouncing Monarch, even won a major competition during the period of time he has allegedly been 'missing'. 

"Trainers and owners should not have to spend their time countering such ridiculous claims which would not be levied at the owner of any other animal whose location is not public record.

"Particularly with the RSPCA recklessly promoting this to their supporters and donors, this absurd campaign is causing unnecessary worry for both well-meaning members of the public and for our many excellent trainers who are being unfairly vilified.

"We've always said these groups rely on baseless and fictitious claims to back their arguments, and the simple fact that this website has been exposed as false in just 24 hours even further undermines the credibility of extreme animal rights groups.

"We strongly urge Animal Aid to take down this website, which is so clearly inaccurate. Unlike the work which GBGB and those in the sport do every day, this website is doing absolutely nothing to promote the welfare of racing greyhounds."