Photo of cowering Katie that sparked a bitter row between greyhound bosses and a dog charity
Animals were kept padlocked in a ‘f ilthy kennel’ for three years
RELATIONS between Greyhound Racing Ireland and animal welfare charity DSPCA soured over an investigation into two mistreated greyhounds.
An investigation found the dogs had been padlocked in ‘filthy kennels’ for three years and were infested with fleas and ticks.
The dogs were said to be ‘covered in filth’ from having nowhere to lie but in their own waste. One of the animals suffered bleeding from a severe flea infestation.
After they were rescued, the DSCPA posted a video to social media of one of the dogs, ‘Katie’, cowering on the floor after she had been taken into its care.
However, Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) called for the post to be removed as neither of the dogs had ever actually raced, according to records released under Freedom of Information.
In emails last summer, officials said it was ‘pure sensationalism’ to say the dog was nervous simply because it had been a racing greyhound. GRI care and welfare manager Barry Coleman wrote: ‘Similar to other dog breeds greyhound pups can also be born very nervous and that this nervousness
‘This image is being used to generate funds’
can stay with an animal for life.
‘I have seen situations in the past where an extremely nervous greyhound around strangers would spot its owner and walk right over and start wagging its tail.’
GRI’s former chief Ger Dollard also wrote about how the social media post ‘does look appalling online’.
‘One of our authorised officers might inspect and see if we can trace this greyhound,’ he said.
Mr Dollard then wrote to the DSCPA asking it to remove the post from its social media and also if his staff could carry out an inspection.
He said: ‘It is disappointing that such a distressing image is being used to generate donations. You might consider removing it from your social media platforms.’
In response, the DSPCA said its fundraising posts simply reflected the animal welfare work it performs.
A heavily redacted internal email said: ‘They were in bad condition as [owner] is not able to look after greyhounds. [They] had a man looking after them… who had them locked up for a few years and the kennels were padlocked. With the help of a [relative]… [they] took them from the property on Thursday 22 July 2021. The dogs had fleas and ticks. The kennels were filthy.’
The dogs were later put up for adoption on Facebook by those who first rescued them and were spotted by the DSPCA which agreed to take them into its care.
In other emails, GRI officials said the conditions the dogs had been held in prior to being rescued by the elderly woman should be notified to gardaí. However, it also emerged that the two dogs – who were by then aged five and seven – had never raced despite being tattooed and bred as racing greyhounds.
A later formal report said: ‘It is inaccurate to describe the greyhounds as being ex-racing greyhounds as both of these greyhounds do not have any trial or race form lines.’
Later emails detail how an inspector went to visit the premises where the dogs had previously been kept.
An email from Enda McCabe, GRI’s integrity and welfare officer stated, ‘The kennel is padlocked but a half door on top opened and I was able to take a photo. The kennels look fine but the problem is that they [the dogs] were inside for a considerable time, probably a few years’.
Mr Dollard wrote to the DSCPA saying its investigation was continuing but that information about the dogs being racing greyhounds was ‘false’ and ‘damaging to the reputation of the industry’.
He wrote: ‘I would formally request that DSPCA would remove all references to ex-racer or ex racing greyhound or greyhound racing as they are not correct.’
In response, DSCPA said it noted the ‘investigation’ but rejected any suggestion it had made false statements. However, it agreed to remove ‘racing’ or ‘ex-racing’ from its posts out of ‘an abundance of caution’.
It also said it would no longer facilitate unannounced visits by GRI inspectors which were ‘disruptive to [its] operations’.
Mr Dollard responded to say he was dismayed at such an ‘aggressive email’.
The case continued into September when GRI was accused of understating the poor condition of the dogs and where they had been locked up. An email to GRI from the person who had originally rescued the dogs said they would not be interviewed by its officials because of how the DSPCA was being scapegoated.
A lengthy email said: ‘The conditions they were kept in were deplorable. Dark, dirty, with poor ventilation and no comfortable bedding. There was no food or water there that day.
‘They had been locked in the kennel for three years with no exercise or outdoor space and only occasional access to the rest of the small dirty shed. Both dogs were filthy, dehydrated, infested with
‘They had been locked in a kennel for three years’
fleas and ticks and understandably very nervous.’
Asked about the records, GRI chief executive Dearbhla O’Brien said it respond promptly and proactively to any case of neglect or abuse of a greyhound. She said: ‘We recognise that DSPCA are driven by and concerned for the welfare of dogs and whilst we are different organisations operating under different parameters, both organisations have the care and wellbeing of these dogs at our core.’
The DSPCA said it was appalled by the condition of the dogs and called on the Department of Agriculture to carry out a full independent investigation.