lemongrass

No, it's not a sport. Can't post a link but the IGB and European rules now admit this. As for your trainer making a good living...no he won't be, no trainers are! The only thing your trainer has going for him is that his kennels are at the track so, unlike his counterparts he has no diesel costs getting to and from meetings. Have a word with Russ..he will tell you just how much the bookies are taking the p**s out of trainers and owners...and the REAL losers are the poor dogs....

No eastbank..the only winners are the bookies. Trainers are struggling, owners are leaving the sport as the recession bites and their 'hobby' becomes unsustainable. I really despair that people like yourself seem quite happy to accept that a dog [mans best friend???] can be just a 'betting unit' and disposed of whenever it is no longer useful. God...the human race is so SICK.

GOOD ON YOU eastbank! you appear to be one of the few 'good' owners. If Molly has raised awareness for Matt then I'm glad...in hindsight though, would you recommend greyhound ownership to anyone? Keeping in mind that the right thing to do is provide the dog with a secure future [should it survive]...

Ist and 2nd last two races. I have been watching Molly drop down the grades during her racing career [normal as they age], she is one lucky dog to survive. So many end up dead. There are people keeping records now of dogs that 'disappear' off the card..they should all be accounted for..however, good luck to your little girl this weekend and glad to hear she has a home lined up.

Oooh! Thats three months kennel bills..and no return. you must have very deep pockets..

what has you not doing drugs got to do with people giving them to dogs?. Do you not agree that is scandalous? Looks like you are sidestepping the issue.

Feel for your Mrs...think you are one of those blokes who have to have the last word! Of course people need leisure facilities, just wish it did not compromise animal welfare. Where there is money there is muck..has the case been heard yet of the Owlerton trainer whose dog tested positive for cocaine? Disgusting. I'll be following Molly's career with interest and will break open the bubbly when she retires...if she does not break her back before then..

I'm not denying you are one of the better owners..sure you'll provide for your dog, as you should. Shame everyone isn't forced to do the same. Virtual racing is the future, people DO bet on it and thats all the bookies want. The powers that be will not ban racing outright as there would be a huge welfare issue [redundant dogs] and people without a livlihood. Better to let it die gradually. No point in arguing with you...do you read Greyhoundscene Forum? all gloom and doom on there..they know the sport is on it's last legs..and they are the ones who will know:)

Jog On pratt lol!

Thought Belle Vue held the first race meeting in 1926? Anyway, I'm glad you are making a bit of money for Matthews trust..nobody else in racing is! In the 1990s seven US states banned racing..there will be many more. Many tracks in Britain are struggling to hold on. Well eastbank..much as I enjoy the banter with you got to take my 3 retireds [used, abused and dumped black bin bag fillers] out for a walk. Maybe you should try taking Molly home yourself and watch her personality develope, perhaps when you realise what gentle, loving dogs they are you will not want to be responsible for one going into the traps and risking death...

Two runs a week per dog!!! hilarious. Owners are leaving the sport in droves, at some tracks they are lucky to get one run a fortnight. Many dogs are now trainer owned [to keep up with their contract to supply BAGS dogs]. The Bookies are milking everyone involved dry. Even the Champion Trainer Mark Wallis cannot make ends meet [his own words] and he has the very best of dogs. No, the sport is dying ,thank goodness. As for the restaurant bookings ..well, speaks for itself, people are probably there for the food. Bet most of the patrons are oblivious to what is going on down on the track.

I beg to differ..in ever increasing numbers the sport IS seen as abuse. Yobs don't attend tracks?..what is a 'six-packer' then? It's someone who goes out on a Saturday night to get plastered, have a bet, laugh at the dogs that fall and knows sweet FA about the dogs. If they are lucky then can do all this on a 1p meal deal..[yes, thats how desperate the industry is to get people through the turnstile]. As for 'law abiding citizens'..well, the industry itself is rotten to the core with the administration of drugs to dogs, dogs 'disappearing', etc. Anyway 'eastbank', I suspect you are not a hardcore fan of racing..as a businessman you will see you are forever dipping into your pockets with Molly. Pray she stays safe..I wonder how you'd feel if the worst happened to her? Interesting thought...

So, the 'noise of the crowd' would be the yobs and neds that jeer when a dog falls?..good job for the kids eh? And no, I'm not familiar with Xbox games...but I bet if the games a kid was playing was real life then they would be scarred. Just cannot understand how you can be so blase about animal abuse? No wonder kids these days have no respect for anything..what about the teaching of values and caring about others and vulnerable creatures?

Good job you went to Donny then instead of Perry Barr! Or would you be ok with your kids witnessing the horror of a fatally injured dog screaming in pain?

Try and stay on your bed Molly girl...three broken hocks and a broken back suffered by dogs in one meeting at Perry Barr on Friday. Anyone thinking of taking their animal loving kids for a 'fun' night at the dogs should be aware they could witness a fatal injury or extreme suffering.