LEADING animal charity Dogs Trust is looking to rehome two ex-racing greyhounds amid calls for the Scottish Government ban the sporting practice.
Dogs Trust West Calder are searching for a new home for Lincoln and Loki, two three-year-old greyhounds who came to the charity after their racing days were over.
Susan Tonner, Manager at Dogs Trust West Calder, said: “There can be a misconception that greyhounds need lots of exercise. However, most greyhounds in our care tend to like short bursts of activity followed by long snoozes. Both Lincoln and Loki could be a great match if you enjoy regular time outdoors and then a snuggle on the sofa.”
“Lincoln is an absolute sweetheart who has a gentle nature, loves affection and playing with his toys. Loki is a quiet and calm dog who also has an affectionate nature. Both boys walk very well on the lead and are sociable with other dogs when out on their walks.
She continued: “Lincoln and Loki have a calming effect when you are in their presence due to their lovely demeanours, so we hope anyone looking for a loving and loyal canine companion will come and meet them.”
Lincoln and Loki are looking for homes where they are the only pets and with secure garden areas.
This comes amid calls for greyhound racing to be banned in Scotland by the Scottish Greens, when a member’s bill is introduced in April.
The bill is being brought forward by the Mark Ruskell and it has received cross party support, and he now wants to see Scotland push it through and ban the sport.
In an article for The National, Ruskell said: “There is no humane way to make a dog run around an oval track at up to 40mph crashing into other dogs, breaking limbs.
“It is inherently dangerous, and it always will be. Every time that dogs are being made to race, they all face that risk of injury and death and it’s perfectly legal to expose them to it.”
He continued: “Industry bodies will suggest that regulations are enough, but you can put vets at the trackside and you can put conditions in place over kennelling, and none of that will remove the inherent risk.”
Only nine countries around the world still allow commercial greyhound racing, according to the RSPCA. Four of them are the UK nations with data from 2023 showing 109 greyhounds died trackside there, while a further 4238 were injured during racing in the same year.
The Welsh Government became the first in the UK to announce a ban, a decision that Dogs Trust has warmly welcomed.
According to Dogs Trust over 2700 greyhounds have died or were put to sleep following their participation in greyhound racing around the UK since 2018 The Welsh Government became the first in the UK to announce a ban, a decision that Dogs Trust has warmly welcomed.
To find more information on Lincoln and Loki and all the dogs available for adoption at Dogs Trust West Calder, go to www.dogstrust.org.uk/westcalder
