FURTHER to Ms Marshall's letter last week on greyhound racing, I would like to clarify a few of the points mentioned.

Many more than 100 of Walthamstow ex-racers were homed successfully last year. Our home-finding scheme is supported wholeheartedly by the directors and a vast number of Walthamstow's owners.

Every new and existing owner is given the opportunity to join our re-homing scheme, which guarantees that the dog will be kept in a re-homing kennel until a new home is found for it.

I would also like to raise the issue of how Ms Marshall came to the figure of 300 dogs retiring from Walthamstow. No such figures have ever been released from our racing office to substantiate this.

If a dog stops racing at Walthamstow it does not necessarily mean it has retired but may just have been moved to another track.

One of Walthamstow's contracted trainers, Mick Puzey, also read Ms Marshall's letter and was so outraged by her implications that he has invited not only her but anyone who doubts greyhound welfare in kennels to visit him.

His kennel, like most other trainers', is open to owners and enthusiastic dog walkers every Sunday and no appointments are necessary.

Despite everyone's best efforts, some dogs may be unfairly treated but everyone involved at Walthamstow Stadium is working together to ensure that these incidents are eradicated and every single Walthamstow greyhound's life is secure after racing.

TRACEY COOPER,

Walthamstow Stadium

July 18, 2002 12:30