Free screening of greyhound racing documentary at Brighthelm Centre
Animal Aid's documentary about racing greyhounds will be shown free at the Brighthelm Centre next week, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Film screening next week
A documentary examining the racing greyhound industry will be shown free at the Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton, on Thursday, 12 November from 8pm to 9.30pm.
The Secret Lives of Greyhounds is a 40-minute film produced by Animal Aid that features undercover footage and expert testimony about greyhounds bred and raced in the industry. A question-and-answer session will follow the screening.
Campaign focus
The screening is a collaboration between Animal Aid and Shut Down Campaigns activists. Representatives of Close Hove Dog Track, a campaign group calling for the closure of Coral Brighton and Hove Greyhound Stadium, will also take part in the discussion.
Allistair Currie from Close Hove Dog Track said the group had recorded 53 falls at the Hove track so far this year. He highlighted concerns about injuries in greyhound racing, stating there had been more than 3,000 injuries in the sport last year, and raised questions about how dogs are kept when not racing.
"We know many people who go to the races don't know the reality, we hope people will come to the screening and learn the truth," Mr Currie said.
Shut Down Campaigns says its volunteers monitor races across England and record falls, injuries and dogs who do not race again.
Track response
A spokesman for Entain, speaking on behalf of the Hove track, said greyhound welfare was its priority. The spokesman described investment in safety, facilities and rehoming schemes, and noted that the sport is regulated under welfare rules. Entain said owners and trainers are required to follow a homing policy and that it works with rehoming centres in the UK and overseas.
Event details
Organisers have invited Brighton and Hove MPs Peter Kyle, Sian Berry and Chris Ward, along with the city's councillors, to attend the screening.
The booking page for the event warns that the documentary contains footage of dogs in "pain and distress" and advises viewer discretion.
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