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Man fined over greyhound deaths | Man fined over greyhound deaths |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A builders' merchant who killed racing dogs with a bolt gun and buried them at his home has been fined £2,000. | A builders' merchant who killed racing dogs with a bolt gun and buried them at his home has been fined £2,000. |
David Smith, 57, of Northdene Terrace, Seaham, admitted disposing of the greyhounds without a permit. | David Smith, 57, of Northdene Terrace, Seaham, admitted disposing of the greyhounds without a permit. |
Judge Peter Armstrong said he would have jailed Smith had this been an animal cruelty case, but accepted the police and RSPCA had investigated. | Judge Peter Armstrong said he would have jailed Smith had this been an animal cruelty case, but accepted the police and RSPCA had investigated. |
Magistrates previously heard Smith had put down about two dogs a week for the past two years, at a cost of £10 each. | Magistrates previously heard Smith had put down about two dogs a week for the past two years, at a cost of £10 each. |
He was fined at Durham Crown Court following a private prosecution by the Environment Agency, after police said he had committed no offence. | He was fined at Durham Crown Court following a private prosecution by the Environment Agency, after police said he had committed no offence. |
The greyhound racing industry needs to clean up its act and ensure the dogs' welfare is a top priority RSPCA spokeswoman Racing 'strain' on animal welfare | The greyhound racing industry needs to clean up its act and ensure the dogs' welfare is a top priority RSPCA spokeswoman Racing 'strain' on animal welfare |
It had been claimed that Smith, who was also ordered to pay £2,000 costs, had shot about 10,000 dogs, but magistrates were earlier told the figure was nowhere near that. | It had been claimed that Smith, who was also ordered to pay £2,000 costs, had shot about 10,000 dogs, but magistrates were earlier told the figure was nowhere near that. |
He was questioned by police, but it was confirmed the bolt gun used to kill the retired greyhounds was held legitimately. | He was questioned by police, but it was confirmed the bolt gun used to kill the retired greyhounds was held legitimately. |
Following a six-month investigation, the Environment Agency prosecuted him under legislation used to restrict the dumping of waste. | Following a six-month investigation, the Environment Agency prosecuted him under legislation used to restrict the dumping of waste. |
He admitted a single charge under the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations that, on 12 July 2006 he disposed of waste - the bodies of deceased dogs - on land without a permit. | He admitted a single charge under the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations that, on 12 July 2006 he disposed of waste - the bodies of deceased dogs - on land without a permit. |
Greyhound protection group Greyhound Action held a protest outside the court on Friday, and said it was disgraceful that the dog racing industry itself was not in the dock. | Greyhound protection group Greyhound Action held a protest outside the court on Friday, and said it was disgraceful that the dog racing industry itself was not in the dock. |
'Independent regulation' | 'Independent regulation' |
A spokesman for the British Greyhound Racing Board (BGRB) said the organisation was disgusted by what had happened at Seaham, and that an investigation was ongoing. | A spokesman for the British Greyhound Racing Board (BGRB) said the organisation was disgusted by what had happened at Seaham, and that an investigation was ongoing. |
Animal welfare was its highest priority, and had improved "vastly" in recent years, he added. | Animal welfare was its highest priority, and had improved "vastly" in recent years, he added. |
Inquiries by the RSPCA concluded that there was no indication animal cruelty laws had been broken. | |
A spokeswoman for the charity said if used properly a bolt gun was a humane method of killing dogs and there had been no evidence that Smith had killed the greyhounds inhumanely. | |
However the spokeswoman was critical of the dog racing industry. | |
She said: "It's vital that racing greyhounds are given the protection they deserve through proper independent regulation. | She said: "It's vital that racing greyhounds are given the protection they deserve through proper independent regulation. |
"The greyhound racing industry needs to clean up its act and ensure the dogs' welfare is a top priority." | "The greyhound racing industry needs to clean up its act and ensure the dogs' welfare is a top priority." |