Greyhound race organiser fined

Businesses that look after animals could face prosecution if they do not keep them in suitable accommodation, Swansea Council has warned.

Swansea Trading Standards has issued the warning after the organiser of a local greyhound stadium was for fined for keeping greyhounds in poor conditions

Eric Short, who runs Swansea Greyhound Stadium in Fforestfach, admitted one offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at Swansea Magistrates Court and must now pay £515.

Mr Short was fined £250, ordered to pay £250 towards prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

The Council's Trading Standards Service received several complaints in early 2009 and visited the stadium to inspect the conditions Mr Short's greyhounds were being kept in.

Officers witnessed poor conditions including kennels in a poor state of repair and wheelbarrows full of excrement outside the kennels. Food waste and rats were also visible at the stadium.

An improvement notice was issued to Mr Short by Council environmental health officers that requires him to make several improvements to the accommodation conditions for the dogs.

Martin Saville, Swansea Council's Head of Environment and Health, said: "This case should hopefully send out the message that we will not allow businesses to keep animals in poor conditions.

"We gave Mr Short every opportunity to put right the problems at the track. This prosecution will ensure the proper welfare for the animals at the stadium.

"We are extremely grateful to the public who have assisted with this case and we would urge others to contact us if they are aware of similar instances where animals are not being kept in acceptable conditions."