A good friend and staunch supporter is due to give evidence in court next week in an RSPCA prosecution for animal cruelty against her neighbour, after his greyhound was recovered from his flat in such an appalling physical condition that the vet who subsequently examined it judged it kinder to euthanise it immediately.

It is only due to Jo’s persistence that the RSPCA turned up at the flat at all, and her evidence in this matter is absolutely critical in securing a conviction against this individual. As soon as he realised she was going to be giving evidence for the prosecution, he began to harass her. Although he has been warned by the local police that a further charge of witness intimidation would not improve his prospects, Jo is concerned that once the case is over, he will have no reason not to vent his anger towards her. She is also nervous about going to court and taking the stand, an intimidating experience in itself, but the more so in this instance because the accused will be conducting his own defence.

Jo is feeling quite low at the moment. This has been hanging over her for some months. 18 months ago she lost her husband of 29 years and a few days ago her beloved 15-year-old cat passed away. These circumstances, taken together, have taken it out of her. She is a life-long animal lover and a staunch supporter - in 6 years she has not missed a single one of our monthly collections for Greyhound Compassion and other greyhound charities. She once cut short a holiday so as not to miss a collection! It would make all the difference to her in a situation which requires considerable personal courage to know that there are people out there rooting for her and the poor, defenceless creature who had to endure systematic neglect and abuse at the hands of said ‘individual’. Cards and messages of support, however brief, would, I am sure, boost her morale before this ordeal and strengthen her resolve. Jo doesn’t have an email address but messages, addressed to her, please, can be sent to her via my email address (wag4greyhounds@yahoo.co.uk) or via Snail mail to Greyhound Action, PO Box 127, Kidderminster, DY10 3UZ (GA will pass them on)

Another friend and I are accompanying her to court and it is our hope that, even if this individual is spared prison, that he is as a minimum banned from keeping animals for life, so that no other animal is forced to suffer at his hands. Thank you all for your support.