An initiative set up by Owlerton Stadium is continuing to see greyhound welfare at the major city venue go from strength-to-strength.
Since summer 2016, Owlerton – Yorkshire’s premier greyhound racing venue – has pledged all money received from online streaming of racing at the stadium back into the sport via prize money and welfare, providing even more care for greyhounds racing at the track.
Owlerton’s new welfare scheme has already proved life-changing for one greyhound.
Fault Finder, owned and trained by John Sharp, injured a hock in March 2017 but made a successful return to racing later in the year, winning two races in quick succession.
The greyhound was one of the first to enter the scheme and has proved a model success story, with Fault Finder returning to winning ways following the injury.
Dave Perry, general manager and welfare officer at Owlerton Greyhound Stadium, said: “We’re happy that we’ve got a system in place which ensures the welfare of our greyhounds remains paramount.
“Any greyhound racing at Owlerton which suffers a career-ending injury is now referred to one of our assisted veterinary clinics where consultation and repairs are carried out.
“The greyhound is then signed over to the Greyhound Trust Sheffield and put on the waiting list for a home. The aim of the scheme is to provide a home for every greyhound that has raced at Owlerton Stadium.
“All treatment costs are covered by the new Sheffield Stadium Welfare Fund, who will also pay all kennelling charges until the transfer to the Trust is completed.
“This has had a hugely positive impact on the care and wellbeing of greyhounds at Owlerton Stadium. Historically, any greyhound which entered the track at Owlerton would be well looked-after, but this has improved even further since the introduction of this scheme.
“As a stadium, Owlerton alone has pledged to put 100% of streaming income into the scheme.
“We hope the initiative which has been adapted by Sheffield on a very forward-thinking and humane approach, should raise the profile and reputation of the sport.
“One of the criticisms levelled at the sport is greyhounds are cast aside when seriously injured as not fit for purpose, but this is not the case and, particularly under the Sheffield scheme, they’ll be receiving a level of care higher than many family pets would get.”
