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Robert Troy TD pushing for public funds for "animal abuse" industry
21 September 2017
A politician who last year raised the issue of "animal abuse suffered by greyhounds in the racing industry" is now shamefully lobbying the government for funding for his local greyhound track.
Fianna Fail TD Robert Troy is pushing the government to increase the amount of public funds being handed over to the privately-owned Longford Greyhound track.
In a parliamentary question this month, Deputy Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed "if he will provide financial assistance to [Longford] stadium".
It is particularly appalling that Troy is seeking funds for a racing track, given that he is clearly aware of the suffering endured by the dogs used and abused in this industry.
In a January 2016 parliamentary question, Robert Troy asked the previous Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney "if he is aware of animal abuse suffered by greyhounds in the racing industry which includes lenient sanctions for persons who have committed grave abuses".
It emerged in the reply to his latest question that the operational costs of the Longford track - which came close to closure this year due to a massive drop in track attendance - are being paid for with taxpayers' money.
"I understand that Longford Greyhound Stadium are in receipt of annual operating grants of €40,000 along with grant assistance towards operating costs, specifically veterinary fees," Minister Creed stated. "The Irish Greyhound Board has recently received a request for additional financial assistance from the supporters club of Longford Greyhound Stadium which is scheduled for Board consideration at their next board meeting."
The government has already squandered €16 million on the cruel greyhound industry in 2017 (that's over €300.000 every week of the year), bringing the total handed over since 2001 to around a quarter of a billion euro.
Longford greyhound track is owned by Scottish businessman Howard Wallace. According to the Irish Greyhound Board website, Wallace has entered dogs into over 1,000 races, including 160 this year.
See Also: Doubts hang over future of Longford Greyhound Track
http://www.longfordleader.ie/news/longford-town/260842/doubts-hang-over-future-of-longford-greyhound-track.html
Question 1293 - Answered on 11 September 2017
Robert Troy TD (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide financial assistance to a stadium (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36869/17]
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound industry Act 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and improve and develop the greyhound industry.
The granting of financial assistance to any stadium is a matter for consideration by the Board of Bord na gCon. I understand that Longford Greyhound Stadium are in receipt of annual operating grants of €40,000 along with grant assistance towards operating costs, specifically Veterinary fees. The Board recently received a request for additional financial assistance from the supporters club of Longford Greyhound Stadium, which is scheduled for Board consideration at their next board meeting.
Question 140 - Answered on 28 January 2016
Robert Troy TD (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of animal abuse suffered by greyhounds in the racing industry which includes lenient sanctions for persons who have committed grave abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Simon Coveney (Minister, Department of Agriculture, the Marine and Food) (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Bord na gCon is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of greyhound racing under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. It has specific powers conferred on it by the Greyhound Industry (Racing) Regulations 2007, S.I. 302 of 2007, which set out the detailed rules under which greyhound racing is conducted. The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the controlling authority for the breeding and coursing of greyhounds. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon under Section 26(2) of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958.
The Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 specifies standards for greyhound welfare, establishes a register of Greyhound Breeding Establishments and regulates their operation. A code of Practice in the care and welfare of the greyhound has been established and published by Bord na gCon as per the requirements of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011. The primary objective of the Code of Practice is to set standards and clearly define what is expected of all individuals engaged in the care and management of registered greyhounds. Greyhound welfare at Bord Na gCon is managed by the Welfare Manager.
I am assured that cases of cruelty and/or neglect which are reported to Bord na gCon are fully investigated and that sanctions under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 are imposed on persons who have been identified as being in breach of the Act. Persons found to have committed offences under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 are liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €5000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both. Persons may also be prosecuted under the Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013. The Act makes it an offence to do, or fail to do anything or cause or permit anything to be done to an animal that causes unnecessary suffering to, or endanger the health or welfare of an animal. The Act provides for increased levels of penalties - summary conviction up to €5,000 and on indictment €250,000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years with fixed penalty payments for lesser offences. In addition, both of these Acts contain provisions permitting the imposition of fixed notice administrative sanctions in cases of less serious breaches of the legislation. The number of monthly Welfare and Kennel Inspections carried out by Bord na gCon Welfare Officers may be viewed on Bord na gCon’s website and information on the sanctions which have been imposed on persons who, following Bord na gCon investigations, have been identified as being in breach of the of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 is also published on Bord na gCon’s website.
