D-Day for greyhound sanctuary

Feb 21 2007 By Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

A BIRMINGHAM rescue centre for retired greyhounds will today be told if it has to close, forcing unwanted racing dogs onto the scrapheap.

Solihull councillors were set to decide the fate of the Daybreaks Kennels, in Coventry Road, Elmdon, near the NEC.

The kennels, which are home to dogs rescued by the Perry Barr Retired Greyhound Trust, was set to have its certificate of lawfulness considered by the planning committe today.

It follows complaints from neighbours about barking and nuisance.

In a report to committee officers have recommended it for refusal.

Owner Bob Shannon has kept greyhounds there since 1983 and saved many retired racing dogs from being destroyed.

Most are retired from the track at two or three years of age after which they are of no use to the owner and are put down or even disposed of illegally.

The trust finds new homes for as many as it can collect from the Perry Barr racing track, such as unlucky Ronnie who failed time and again to settle with new owners until an appeal in the Birmingham Mail last year found him a happy home.

Spokeswoman Ruth Boswell said: "We are on track to re-home around 350 dogs this year.

"If the councillors support the officers it would mean the closure of the kennels and could see those dogs meeting an unhappy fate," she added.