Radio 1 going to race a greyhound!
What does everyone think of what I've cross posted from another site?
Personaly I don't think they could possibly have thought this through. Ok listeners might be excited at following a greyhounds racing career, but what would the reaction from the listeners be when the inevitable happens, injuries, and the unthinkable? And any idiot listening who thinks it would be a great idea to get a geryhound and do the same, or support the industry by going to to the tracks.
I've emailed both Greg James and the BBC to voice my concerns and for them to rethink their proposal and do some research into the industry. I've advised them to ADOPT A GREYHOUND INSTEAD!
LINK FROM SIGHTHOUNDS ONLINE
Greg James of Radio One wants to get and race a Greyhound linked to his Radio 1 afternoon Mon-Fri 1pm to 4pm show.
First of all he said he wanted a pet for his show, then said he had a new idea of getting a greyhound racing at various tracks around the country, he would keep his listeners up to date with all info each week. Greg wants to call the hound "welcome along" which is Gregs name in his email address.
Listen to radio 1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/gregjames/
podcast 53.00 mins into his 3 hr show Friday 26th Feb 10
Its not clear from whats been said so far whether this is just Greg or Greg and the production team or Radio 1 or BBC itself which would own the hound.
I think Greg wanted something interesting to add to his show and this is probably to replace his weekly feature of Mark Beaumont who recently completed his amazing cycling around the Americas
Should our large annual TV licence fees be used in this manner?
Please contact Greg, Radio 1 and the BBC and let them know how you feel about this isssue.
Please make realistic suggestions for what you would like him to do instead of racing a greyhound.
Please be polite.
Greg's email: welcome.along@bbc.co.uk
Greg's twitter: http://twitter.com/gregjames
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/gregjames/contact/
bbc.co.uk/complaints:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/homepage/
Also I believe for one hour after each daily show he has a telephone line open for his listeners to call in and chat which could be a good opportunity to make some suggestions for show content!
Please help stop this madness
for the hounds
Steve
This post has been edited by stnetwork: Yesterday, 10:04 PM
Radio 1 going to race a greyhound!
by Eric Kiltie 
, Old Aberdeen, Tuesday, March 02, 2010, 16:55 (189 days ago) @ dawn barbi
I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head. When I read your post, I was immediately put in mind of this. 
Cheers,
Eric 
Radio 1 going to race a greyhound!
Statistics for English registered tracks only, for january 2010:
344 hounds recorded as 'not finishing', euphemism for injury. 93 hounds 'broken down' euphemism for serious injury. The majority of these dogs, 2-4yrs old would have been slaughtered, legally or illegally.
Examples: Jan 2nd, Loughmore Boy, shattered foreleg. Jan 3rd, Kilkeedy Blue, broken hock. Jan 10th, Ardera Express, broken neck. Jan 11th, Gulleen Star, broken hock " the dog was in such distress, frothing at the mouth"-keeper. Jan 15th, Skywalker Brenda, broken hock. Jan 22nd, Malbay Kate, right hind leg ripped off above the hock. Jan 24th, Fida Cascada, snapped foreleg. Add in our own Twiggy, and Gal's Blue, RIP. Given that the figures above refer only to registered tracks, the reality in January was much worse as the flapping tracks are even more dangerous and poorly maintained. A substantial number of these and other injured dogs would have been abandoned with their injuries, suffering terribly, as our Twiggy was. This is why it is vital to fight for vet provision at all tracks, and to further all moves to improve greyhound welfare. In short, this is why GRIT has been launched. If these stats shock you, do complain about this radio programme, and think about how you could help with the GRIT campaign.
Radio 1 going to race a greyhound!
Thanks for the bbc complaints link, my complaint has been submitted. Hopefully sufficient people will complain to make them drop this form thier programme
Radio 1 going to race a greyhound!
I have also complained. I thought the Beeb was short of money and doing cutbacks!
You could say the Corporation is going to the dogs!
Radio 1 going to race a greyhound!
Fiona...can you tell me how I can get involved in GRIT...is there a petition to sign or letters to write to an MP? The injuries suffered at the track are horrifying. Thanks, Louise
Radio 1 going to race a greyhound!
A global email will go out hopefully soon, to explain what GRIT is doing and what help is needed. I dont want to say too much here as GRIT is, and must stay very seperate from Gagah for various reasons. There is a need for letters among other things, but later in the year hopefully we will bring the issues to public and political awareness, and we will be presenting our case to the Scottish parliament CPG-AW for discussion. Several UK welfare groups are providing advice, support and resources to us which has been great, but there is now a big backlog of tasks to do, so help will be very welcome. Any thoughts, ideas, contributions will be fantastic. My email is f.nicholson@live.co.uk, and either myself or Sparkle's mum can give you more info.
Radio 1 going to race a greyhound!
Thanks Fiona...you have been very busy. I have decided its no use recoiling in horror at these "track injury stories" and then doing nothing about it. I want to add my voice to the shouting. I'll be in touch. Thanks.