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Multi-million pound deal to boost greyhound welfare
The agreement is expected to boost income to the British Greyhound Racing fund to around £10 million a year.
Bookmakers agree additional payments worth up to £3 million

Greyhound welfare is set to be improved thanks to a multi-million pound deal with a number of online bookmakers.  

On Thursday (10 January), sports minister Mims Davies announced that £3 million pounds of voluntary funding will contribute towards new tailored training for vets and an injury recovery scheme.

He also said the funding will go towards improving racetrack safety, the supply of more retirement homes, kennel improvements and the provision of air condition for trainers’ vehicles.

Welcoming the announcement, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’ deputy chief executive Peter Laurie said: “Battersea has long been calling for the betting industry, which profits very considerably from greyhound racing, to pay its fair share towards protecting the welfare of the dogs themselves, including to ensure they are responsibly re-homed on their retirement from racing.
 
“We welcome this new announcement by the minister for sport and this commitment from some of Britain’s biggest betting organisations. But we note that this is only a voluntary arrangement and future contributions are not guaranteed.

“Battersea, therefore, renews its call for the existing voluntary levy to be made compulsory and for greyhound welfare to be properly funded on a sustainable basis.”

The agreement took effect from 1 January 2019 and is expected to boost income to the British Greyhound Racing fund (BGRF) to around £10 million a year. Among the bookmakers that have made a commitment to the extra payments include Betfred, William Hill and Sky Betting.

Joe Scanlon, chairman of the British Greyhound Racing Fund, said: “With this deal, the BGRF will be close to full support from all the major retail and online operators and it will provide a firm basis for delivering the enhanced welfare and integrity provision the sport of greyhound racing expects.

“This agreement would not have been possible without the support of the Minister and her team at DCMS, Lord Lipsey who has worked tirelessly to improve the welfare of greyhounds over many years and of course the major bookmakers for their continued support of the Fund.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.