International outfit urges Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to ban animal races

Abohar, August 30

The largest greyhound protection organisation in the world has urged the Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, to ban animal races in the state.

The president and general counsel of GREY2K USA, Christine Ann Dorchak, has sent an email, a copy available with The Tribune, to the CM in this connection. A copy of the email has also been sent to the Supreme Court.

Grey2K USA was founded in March 2001 as Grey2K and changed its name in 2013 to reflect an international focus.

In the email, Christine urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to end dog racing events of any kind in the state.

She said the undesirable activity was occurring in the form of open field competitions, which also involved gambling.

Christine said people were encouraged to bring their dogs to perform, with promises of prize money for doing so.

Christine said beyond the intense stress and risks presented by the races themselves, the fate of injured or otherwise unwanted ex-racers was of great concern and should be addressed immediately.

She said animal races of all kinds, dog racing and dog fighting have been happening in the state, and she asked the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to enforce an end to them under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

Christine said worldwide, dog racing was a dying industry, which was inherently cruel to dogs. She added that when first invented in the United States in the 1920s, it could not be foreseen that hundreds of thousands of dogs would suffer and die.

Through the email, Christine has urged the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to read her letter and let her know what action may be taken to stop the cruelty taking place in the state. She also urged the Chief Minister to oppose and prevent any form of dog racing in his beautiful homeland (Punjab), which was known most of all for its peaceful reverence for life.