Greyhound protesters ‘off track’ on stadium

ONE of Lothian’s biggest greyhound owners today angrily condemned animal welfare organisations which are trying to block plans for a multi-million pound stadium in East Lothian.

Musselburgh’s Tom Peters, who breeds greyhounds for racing, today said that animal welfare campaigners are unaware of the full facts behind the sport.

Mr Peters insisted that most of the dogs were well cared for after their racing days came to an end.

He said: "I have 12 retired greyhounds that I keep as pets and everybody I know in greyhound racing keeps at least one as a pet."

The greyhounds receive the highest quality care during their racing life, he added.

"Greyhounds are probably the best looked after dogs in the country. You would never be able to race a greyhound if it wasn’t in good shape."

The well-known trainer hit out after protesters claimed the planned opening of the UK’s biggest greyhound racing stadium in Wallyford would lead to a large rise in cases of dogs being abandoned.

The Edinburgh-based animal welfare organisation Advocates for Animals has repeatedly called for plans for the development to be scrapped. It claims thousands of dogs every year are forced into retirement through injury and end up abandoned.

The 5.6 million Victory Lane stadium, which includes kennels for up to 120 dogs and seating for 5000 people, was given the go-ahead by East Lothian Council last month.