When the IMF awarded â¬22.5 billion in bailout funds to Ireland to help the Irish people, it probably didnât imagine that Prime Minister Enda Kenny would spend millions to support cruelty to dogs.
The Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) is a semi-state organisation which promotes the greyhound racing industry in Ireland. The IGB received â¬13.6 million in government money in 2009, and another â¬11 million in 2010.
Now, the IGB wants PM Kenny to route â¬15 million of bailout money thatâs supposed to help struggling Irish families to help the notoriously cruel dog racing industry instead.
But PM Kenny doesnât have to say yes. Thatâs why a UK-based organisation, Greyhound Compassion, has teamed with an American organisation, GREY2K USA, to start a petition on Change.org asking PM Kenny and Minister of Finance Michael Noonan not to give any money to the IGB. Please sign the petition today.
The dog racing industry is known worldwide for its cruel exploitation of dogs. Dogs are kept in miserable conditions, are often drugged, and race until their health gives out. No wonder the IGB is asking for money: The industry isnât turning a profit because people no longer want to support it.
Greyhound Compassion argues that the Irish government should not prop up an inhumane industry at a time when itâs already cutting vital services like unemployment benefits and teachers for special needs children.
A huge outcry throughout the EU will put pressure on Kenny to stop subsidising dog racing -- and let him know that all of Europe is watching his decision.
Please sign the petition demanding that PM Kenny and Finance Minister Noonan refuse to give any bailout money to the Irish Greyhound Board:
http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-bail-out-for-irish-dog-tracks
