Greyhoundfraternity frustratedbutready togetbackontrack
When people aren’t working it becomes a huge disturbance in their lives.
THERE is dissatisfaction in Kerry greyhound racing circles over government plans not to allow greyhound racing return in line with horse racing on June 8, behind closed doors.
Instead, June 29 is the date for a resumption of greyhound racing under Phase 3 of the government’s strategy to ease social-distancing restrictions.
“It’s very disappointing as we thought the two industries would be treated similarly, but for some strange reason they haven’t,” said Declan Dowling, Manager of the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium.
“Greyhound owners are disappointed, and I would say they’re making depositions to local TDs to highlight the unfairness of it, and in the hope that something might change between now and June 8,” he added.
The Kingdom Greyhound Stadium has laid off staff since the lock-down restrictions were introduced. It employs between 20 and 30 part-time workers alone, many of whom are students earning money to put themselves through college.
Kingdom Greyhound Stadium also hosts various charity events throughout the year for organisations whose revenue has been severely hampered as a result of the lockdown.
“It’s been a huge impediment to the staff, and it’s always very difficult any time staff are laid off. Obviously when people aren’t working it’s a huge disturbance in their lives. We’ve had charity fundraisers booked in for April, May and June ,but obviously they’ve all been shelved for now,” said Declan.
“The stadium is a great meeting point, and I’ve been told by many people that they miss it. Some of our customers and owners would be from an older age demographic, so they’ll naturally be a bit fearful of coming back in the immediate future,” he said.
Prior to the total shut-down, Declan explained that Kingdom Greyhound Stadium hosted eight meetings behind closed doors. He is now confident this will stand to them once racing resumes.
“Our first meeting behind closed doors was held on March 13 and we continued until March 24. We did this very successfully and we implemented all the social-distancing protocols. It won’t be anything massively new to us when we do get back as we already had a lot of the procedures in place,” he said.
Declan has also praised the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) for paying out approximately €400,000 a month since the lock-down to help greyhound owners under its ‘ CARE’ payment initiative.
This proactive payment is meant to ensure the care and welfare of greyhounds while they are preparing for a resumption of racing.
“It’s especially disappointing for the owners and trainers who were hoping to return on the same date as horse racing. It’s been a huge loss, financially, for them as they can’t race their dogs with a chance of winning prize money, or they can’t sell dogs.
“There’s also the loss of the social side of greyhound racing. But we’re ready for when the time comes,” said Declan.