Andrew de Dog has found his forever home amongst 15 long-term patients and staff at Stanford House. Andrew has been a member of the Stanford House family since July last year. He has his own room, hangs out with patients and takes up a spot in the nurses’ station. The patients feed Andrew, take him for walks, give him cuddles, wash him and make his bed. One patient said Andrew had a funny, quirky personality and was a lovely addition to the family. “We love him to bits. He is one of us.” He said most of the patients were caring people, and enjoyed having a dog to love.
Source: Whanganui Animal Save and the Greyhound Protection League (GPLNZ)
This Friday from 5-7pm, Whanganui Animal Save and the Greyhound Protection League (GPLNZ) are holding a protest at the entrance of Hatrick Stadium. Five dogs were killed in five races at Hatrick Stadium between 18 December and 11 January.
Whanganui Animal Save spokesperson Sandra Kyle said Hatrick Stadium is one of New Zealandâs biggest and most dangerous dog racing tracks.
âInjuries and deaths are common at Hatrick Stadium. Racing is inherently dangerous.â said Kyle. âItâs no way to treat a dog that deserves a warm home and a loving family.â
“Where there are breaches of animal welfare rules, MPI investigates,” said a spokesperson. “The suspension of racing at any track is a question for its operators and the New Zealand Racing Integrity Unit, which have oversight. MPI does not have the legal power to close a track.”
Warwick Smith/Stuff
Eight greyhounds have been euthanised in the past month. The five dogs were euthanised between December 18 and January 6 after suffering a variety of sport-induced injuries, which included fractured and dislocated hocks, a fractured hind tarsal bone and a ruptured stomach. One dog was euthanised following gastric dilation and volvulus, which occurs when there is a twisting or knotting of the intestines.
Source: 1 NEWS
SAFE says there have been eight greyhounds die to due to injuries sustained at racetracks since December 18 - five of which were at Whanganui s Hatrick Raceway.
Spokesperson for the agency Will Appelbe is calling for immediate closure of the track for an investigation. While Kiwis enjoyed their unstoppable summer, the greyhound death toll has soared over the last three weeks, he said.
On December 18, one dog was euthanised in Whanganui after suffering a significant fracture to the right hock, then on December 22, a dog which suffered a fractured hock was euthanised in Palmerston North, he said.
A hock is a dog s equivalent to a human ankle.