From www.southtynesidetoday.co.uk

MP APPALLED BY DOG SLAUGHTER

JARROW MP Stephen Hepburn today backed planned tough Government action
to prevent what he called the "barbaric" slaughter of unwanted greyhounds.
Distressed constituents contacted Mr Hepburn after it was revealed a Seaham man had shot up to 10,000 retired dogs.
The revelations sparked a debate about the future of greyhounds once they are too old to race.

Mr Hepburn, who has pressed Government ministers for tough action against the wholesale slaughter of former racing dogs, said: "A number of people wrote to me after the barbaric practice of killing all these animals came to light. I wrote to the Department for Environment, Foodand Rural Affairs (Defra) to find out what legislation covered this.

A Bill is currently going through Parliament and I hope this will tackle anyone flouting the law in relation to the slaughter of greyhounds.
I was appalled when I heard about what was happening to retired greyhounds, and this has to be outlawed.
The Government is extending the Animal Welfare Bill and I hope this will help stamp out this awful practice."
Despite admitting shooting thousands of mature greyhounds with a bolt gun, allegedly for £10 per animal, businessman David Smith has won the support of 2,000 people in the Seaham area, who have signed a petition supporting him.

Police are investigating death threats against Mr Smith from animal activists. Replying to Mr Hepburn, local environment minister Ben Bradshaw said:

"It is already an offence under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 to destroy an animal in a manner that will cause unnecessary suffering, and will continue to be so under the Animal Welfare Bill.
In addition, the Bill will introduce an offence of failing to provide for the welfare needs of an animal.
This will apply to owners and keepers of all animals, including racing and retired greyhounds, and will raise welfare standards throughout the dogs' lives. The Bill also provides powers to introduce secondary legislation to regulate animal-related activities.
We are considering making specific regulations in relation to the welfare of racing greyhounds."
Defra has launched a working group to look at the whole issue and this will offer advice to ministers and officials in the drafting of regulations to improve greyhound welfare.

By TERRY KELLY