No Glitter in Greyhound Racing

Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) are miming the words of a disgraced 70s glam rock star by asking children, ‘Do you wanna be in my gang, my gang, my gang’.

What can we assume from observing that the GRI, a commercial semi-state body responsible for the control and development of the greyhound industry in the Republic of Ireland, is activity targeting the child market?

In a 5-year strategic plan the GRI stressed the importance of ‘encouragement of the younger generation as spectators and regular attendees at greyhound race meetings’.

GRI tracks have for years been trying to lure children in to greyhound racing with offers of toy vouchers, free meals and colouring competitions. Even the proceeds of the lucrative holy communion/confirmation circuit is encouraged to be disbursed at a night at the dogs.

Exposing young minds to greyhound racing with its inherent animal abuse while pouring the foundation for a potential adult gambling habit, is child grooming under the guise of a greyhound racing jacket.

By involving children in recreational animal events parents are abdicating their responsible to rearing children in an environment that is morally and socially acceptable.

It would be wrong to corral child abuse within the context of physical and sexual, but it should draw in the mental abuse of children either within a family setting or via a third party.

The GRI targeting of children is legal unglamorous marketing to achieve the corruption of the young.

Parents and guardians should resist and exercise parental responsibility by send