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 Doomed greyhounds get a new life 

Doomed greyhounds get a new life

08 Nov, 2009 04:00 AM
BRUNO, Ally and Rocky are lucky to be alive.

Ally, 7, is named after the very lean television show character Ally McBeal and is a retired racer, while Bruno, 3, and Rocky, 3, just didn't make the cut to hit the track.

The three greyhounds are very fortunate dogs saved by their owners Brad Russell and Lauren Smart as part of the non-profit organisation Greyhound Adoption Program.

Mr Russell, a program committee member, said around 110 greyhounds are put down each week in NSW.

"If they can't find homes this is just what happens,'' Mr Russell said.

"And it is particularly hard for me, as once you get to know what the dogs are like they make great pets.''

The number put down is due to the amount bred, the many that do not make the grade for racing, and those that have retired from the track.

The program aims to reduce the number of unnecessary greyhound deaths and raise the awareness of the dogs as good pets in their own right.

Mr Russell said greyhounds were mistakenly believed dangerous because current legislation states they must be muzzled in public. He expected the law to be repealed in the next year, and hopes more people will then consider them as potential pets.

Mrs Smart and her husband adopted Bruno when she was pregnant and after meeting Mr Russell in the park.

"I think a lot of people [adults] see us and cross the street, thinking Bruno is dangerous,'' Mrs Smart said. "But it's not like that at all.

"Kids will run screaming up to him and he won't move, he won't react.''

Mrs Smart, whose child is now 16 weeks old, said most greyhounds were very placid and made great family pets. "These are real indoor dogs [and] very social ,'' she said.

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Repeal the law for muzzling them? I'd rather see it extended to all dogs in public.
Posted by C, 9/11/2009 1:20:33 PM
Or 'C' maybe we can have them come have breakfast/lunch or whatever at a cafe in Cronulla?
Posted by warren, 10/11/2009 1:55:16 AM
C - in some ways i agree with you - my rescue greyhound has been attacked by small maltese type dogs at least three times in the last 6 months.. He is now petrified of small dogs and i think his fear makes them even more vicious. nevertheless, the greyhounds needing to be muzzled isnt because they are agressive, but because they are a race dog. Its stupid that people can have pitbulls etc and not muzzle them yet Greyhounds are one of the most gentle breeds but by some stupid ancient law, have to have muzzles on.
Posted by Sarah, 12/11/2009 11:13:55 AM
Greyhounds make the best pets. It's such a shame that they have to be muzzled. The law doesn't exist is the rest of the country or the rest of the world so let's get with the times!
Posted by Grey, 13/11/2009 11:38:35 AM

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Sharing the love: Greyhounds Bruno, Ally and Rocky are the much-loved pets of Brad Russell and Lauren Smart. Picture: Chris Lane
Sharing the love: Greyhounds Bruno, Ally and Rocky are the much-loved pets of Brad Russell and Lauren Smart. Picture: Chris Lane

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