Seanad debates

Tuesday, 23 October 2018

Greyhound Racing Bill 2018: Committee Stage

 

2:30 pm

Photo of Ray ButlerRay Butler (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We all have no problem with dogs in other jurisdictions being banned from racing if they have been found to have drugs in their system. A dog would not be allowed to run in Manchester one week and run the following week in Ireland because the dog would have to undertake a clearance trial. A dog, bar it was an open class dog, would be banned automatically.

Dogs are banned for other reasons. In England, some dogs do not chase the hare or certain hares so they are banned. We would have to include them in any ban in this jurisdiction as well. Dogs are banned on the basis of a failure to comply with other rules and regulations.

The Senator referred to various organisations ruling the roost when it comes to greyhound owners and trainers. I could prove that shenanigans went on in many greyhound and breeders organisations when it came to choosing people to run for the Seanad. I know what went on because I have been involved in the industry over the years. The process was far from clean and I stand by my words.

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