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The plight of greyhounds

Thu, 21 August 10:00

The plight of greyhounds

Local rescue shelter ADANA takes in abandoned grey

WHAT do you know about greyhounds??
The first thing that may come to mind is an image of a skinny dog used in races to chase a hare. Well, that’s not too far off and they are certainly used for that purpose.
However, there is another side to greyhounds that is not so well-known. Once the race is finished and the owner considers the dog to be no longer useful, then the torment of these animals begins.
The luckiest ones will be abandoned to their own fate, but those who are not so lucky will face all type of atrocities: being hung from trees, dropped alive into wells, injected with bleach, tendons torn so they can not follow their owners home.
Some may remain chained to the same wall they have spent their life chained to, until they die.
Greyhounds not only have a ‘dark’ death but also a ‘dark’ life. A common day for a greyhound consists of a training session, being left starved and kept in hovels. When they have to be moved, they are transported in tiny metal boxes cramped together with four more greyhounds.
Spain is the only European country which still allows greyhounds to be used for the hunting of hares.
There are some 50,000 galgos (Spanish greyhounds) that have been abandoned at the moment. Some of them end up in local rescue shelters such as ADANA.
So, now I am sure that next time you think about a greyhound, you will have a different perspective of them. Whether you are a greyhound- racing lover or not, you cannot remain indifferent to this reality any longer.
One of our readers, who is actively involved in this topic, has written to us.

Excerpt from reader’s letter:
Firstly, I would like to thank The Euro Weekly News for printing my letter. My aim is to let you know that when one person sees something that moves them, they can make a difference and I am asking for you to open your heart and allow a space for the galgos. When you truly get to know the galgos and how they are, you cannot help but love them. One person multiplied by many is a force of help, which is desperately needed. If it is only a signature on a petition, then it is one more. I am proud to say I have worked with PETA regarding the galgos’ plight and they have placed an alert.
It is a dark world if you are born a galgo in Spain; this is the price they pay for being so serene and also non barkers. The speed with which they were gifted is totally abused.
The galgos of Spain need your help. Until there is a national law against hunting hares with galgos, this cruelty will continue. Spain is now the only European country left which allows this so-called ‘sport’.
Man’s best friend, being let down by man.
“May you, the galgo, rise back up in society and become the household pet, you so deserve to be.”
A galgo’s friend,

Carlota and Ambo
For more information, visit:
http://112carlotagalgos.blog spot.com
Greyhounds as pets

Galgos make the most amazing pets and, contrary to popular belief, they are great apartment pets. They do not take up much space and they do not need to run as you would expect them to. They are smart, clean, shed little hair, and dote on their owner. They will sleep hours and hours if you let them and when you really know a galgo, you might even say that it’s lazy.
Greyhounds bark very little, and are usually friendly to strangers. The most common misconception with them is that they are hyperactive.
Greyhounds do not have undercoats and therefore are less likely to trigger people’s dog allergies.
The plight of these graceful dogs has been noticed by many, but more are needed for their suffering to end.
We hope that these horrendous practices against galgos, and all other animals, will cease, as we live in what is supposed to be a civilised world.

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Written by galgo friend, August 21, 2008

It is about time that all the people living in Spain get to know the horrible situation of galgos in Spain.

It looks like a "hidden" item and it is a real big problem for us that fight for the gallos.

Galgos make wonderfull pets if you want to learn more about these amazing animals have a look at the baasgalgo.com website!