Kerry link to Spanish-bound greyhounds in poor conditions

AT least one of 12 greyhounds rescued at Dublin Port last weekend on route to Spain was trained in Kerry.

The greyhounds were being transferred in the back of a van when discovered by Customs Officials, stacked in cages. The animals were said to be dehydrated and in cramped conditions, without food or water.

Veterinary staff from the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) were called to the scene, and Gardaí are now investigating the matter.

Paperwork accompanying the dogs showed that they were registered with the Irish Greyhound Stud Book, with at least one of them confirmed as being trained in Kerry. It was also discovered that nine of the greyhounds had raced within the past month.

“The incident is under investigation at the moment, so we can’t comment on the details just yet, but we know that at least one of the dogs is from Kerry,” said Gillian Bird of DSPCA.

This latest case comes at a time when the Irish Greyhound Board is already under pressure over allegations of animal cruelty within the sport, which featured in an ‘RTÉ Investigates’ programme earlier this year.

It’s thought the Dublin Port dogs were purchased by a person based in Spain and were found wearing muzzles with two dogs to a cage, and three of the cages were not accessible without having to unload all of the vehicle’s contents.

The animals had no access to food or water, and it’s estimated that they would have been in transit for over 24 hours before arriving at their Spanish destination.

“We know that the dogs were bought and that they were being shipped from Tipperary, which was just a holding place. The vehicle was unloaded at our shelter and the dogs were dehydrated, some of them had elevated body temperatures, while others had minor injuries,” Ms Bird told The Kerryman.

“As some of the dogs could not be accessed without unloading the vehicle, it was obvious they were not going to get any food or water during the journey. They were also muzzled, which meant they could not eat or drink.”

The rescue now raises questions over the ‘Type 2’ permit, which is a transporter’s licence given by the Department of Agriculture.

“A Type 2 licence would mean Customs could have done nothing about it. What is the Irish Greyhound Board doing about the transport of animals?” Ms Bird said.

The DSCPA and the Irish Greyhound Board have begun separate investigations.

Greyhounds discovered in cages in a van on its way to Spain.

Greyhounds stacked in cages.