Ms Jessica Reid:

We have major concerns about the lurcher issue, lamping, illegal hunting and poaching, but these matters cannot be brought before the Irish Greyhound Board, IGB, because only registered, tattooed greyhounds are within its remit. Any greyhound-type dog that is found in a terrible condition and does not have a tattoo is pushed into general animal welfare legislation, as there is no way to prove that it is a full-bred greyhound. Many of the dogs in question are considered lurchers, which is a cross-breed of any sighthound, not specifically greyhounds. Many of the lurchers used for that activity are of Saluki and other sighthound stock, possibly bred with greyhounds or other working dogs. We would love to see a large amount of concern for that matter, but it is almost a separate issue at this point because such animals are not within the remit of the IGB if they are not tattooed.