If you hear of your local radio station actively taking part in this promotion, please contact them to complain (politely) then please let us know by email ( info@greyhoundaction.org.uk and info@greytexploitations.com). We can then raise awareness by collectively emailing/contacting/writing to the radio station.

Regardless of the radio stations decision to take on board any requests we make to drop the adverts, we would still be effectively highlighting the plight of racing greyhounds to the media. In fact it's a great opportunity to turn the greyhound industry's own advertising against them ... with the treatment of the dogs and constant exposure of wrongdoing in the papers and online ... the greyhound racing industry has done all the groundwork for bringing about its own destruction. Therefore it is especially vital we grasp, this opportunity and respond to and contact every radio station that gets involved.

The 'Greyhound Star' continues to be a useful barometer of the greyhound racing industry’s reaction to its recent indifferent fortunes and the measures it has taken to turn the tide. An article in the May edition entitled “Radio Campaign to go nationwide” describes how the BGRB is funding a national radio advertising campaign. Richard Hayler, BRGB General Secretary is quoted as saying of the campaign, “the target audience is….the first time or occasional racegoer. (My italics) BRGB campaigns tend to focus on the ‘six packer’ rather than the informed punter but that’s the way these things have to be when you’re working on a national scale.”

All the market evidence shows that people like to go out in groups….when they’re visiting somewhere that’s unfamiliar to them, so that’s bound to be the most effective way to promote the ‘uninitiated’.

Hayler also said, “radio advertising....is considered to be far and away the most effective way of generating interest and attracting first time racegoers.

Explaining a move away from television advertising, he said, “In 2008 the national marketing budget was notably reduced as spending priorities turned to increasing prize money grants and to other welfare-related projects.”

It is clear from this and other comments coming from inside the industry that the Animal Welfare Bill has had a deleterious effect on the industry, which for our purposes is excellent. It also underlines our contention that greyhound welfare and greyhound racing are mutually irreconcilable.

It further demonstrates that the industry’s efforts are now directed towards attempting to woo a new customer base, by transforming some of the one-off punters (stag nights/hen nights/office outings etc) into regulars.

Remember ... we may not, of course be successful, since radio stations are not in the business of turning away business, but in the long term, any suggestion – in these ethically aware times – that a particular activity is dodgy or distasteful, can be very effective in damaging a reputation. Whispering campaigns are a wonderful weapon and fortunately for us, the greyhound racing industry has done all the groundwork for bringing about its own destruction.

As usual you can find facts, case studies etc

http://www.greyhoundaction.org.uk and to http://www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/facts7.html and http://www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/facts.html and http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3466712.ece )

Please feel free to consult, quote and refer people to them.