Hot Off The Press Part II

Hot Off The Press Part II

Taken from "the Greyhound Star" November 1999

"Breeding for a living is the Taggart target"

Bord na gCon are planning a major initiative to make greyhound breeding a lucrative profession for the best in their field. Bord Chairman Pascal Taggart said "We are aware of a decline in the number of people prepared to breed greyhounds. This is partially brought about by a booming economy in Ireland and people can earn more money elsewhere. I believe the industry needs good breeders and we at the Bord are prepared to give them our full backing". "We are employing a development officer to help the breeder to sell their pups to people who want them. We see The Greyhound Star playing a big part in this by being the organ that British owners can read to discover which pups are for sale".

"We intend to advertise those litters on behalf of the breeders and give the owners in the UK a chance to buy at source". "Within Ireland we also have a great interest from syndicates, but there is no direct link between them and the breeders. This is the area where we can help. It is important that good breeders get a fair chance for their product. Our aim is to encourage them to keep breeding".

"Why shouldn't they make £20,000 a year from breeding greyhounds" said Mr. Taggart.

Final Thoughts

All this breeding may all be well and good but the question that raises it's ugly head again is "What will happen to all the greyhounds that aren't sold?" "What will be their fate?" "Will all the litters be registered?" These, and questions like them will be echoed by greyhound rescues and welfares everywhere - and what will be the knock on effect?

In my opinion the answer is that it will once again be left to the rescue and welfare organisations to clean up the mess left by the Irish and their wonderful ideas. I hope that I am wrong but somehow I doubt it.

I will leave you to your own conclusions but I know what my views on the subject are.