Plight of the Trailhounds
| Hound trailing has been popular in Cumbria for over 200 years. The sport originated from Cumberland and West Moreland foxhound packs. Farmers and landowners would argue about whose hounds were stronger, fitter and faster. This led to races hold between the different hounds and over time this became a sport in its own right. | ||||
| Today's trailhounds look different from their heavier foxhound ancestors. The racing season runs from April to October with meetings taking place about 12 times a week. Bets are placed with bookmakers who are a permanent part of the trailing fraternity. Racing takes place over moorland, fields and fells, and the hounds follow a trail of paraffin and aniseed. | ||||
| The dogs really enjoy the running and following their nose but sadly - like most sports which involve animals - their running days are numbered. | ||||
| Peter Wilson does what he can and started the Trailhound Trust but he is not supported by the Hound Trailing Association that appear to have little interest in welfare and re-homing. Some of the better owners will take their surplus dogs into the Trust, but it has no financial support. | ||||
| Dogs in this sport are kept underweight, most live outside, and they are shaved to the skin (often inexpertly). Much of the racing terrain has dry stone walls, hedging and barbed wire, form which the dogs have no protection and of course the extreme cold weather can be fatal to a lost and practically nude dog. | ||||
| If the Hound Trailing Association just put a stop to this ridiculous procedure of shaving the dogs it would go some way to improving their welfare. | ||||
A Letter from
Lucy Hound: |
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| "Dear All, | ||||
| I am writing to let you know how I'm settling in at my new home. I left F.A.I.T.H. on 20th May with Edwina & Stephen, my new keepers. I was very skinny and all my bones stuck out from under my stubbly shaved coat. | ||||
| On my first night in my new home I was a little unsure of myself and did not know how to react to my surroundings. Now I really like going for walks on the beach and in the woods. Riding in the car I love. My coat has grown back to normal and I've put on weight. | ||||
I'm
very good and quiet most of the time, even though I occasionally get into
trouble for biting the flowers off the plants. I'm being trained to be
more obedient which seems to be going very well. |
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| I share my home with a grey cat called Lit-len. She is still wary of me even though I want to be friends. We seem to be getting on better as each day passes, and I am very good friends with my neighbour's cat Tigger! | ||||
| Edwina and Stephen say I've settled in very well with them and I'm a very loving and playful companion, and a total joy to have around them. I'd like to thank you all for giving me the chance to find a new home. One day when I'm in Norfolk I'll come and visit. | ||||
| All the best, | ||||
 Lucy |
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Greyhounds - Run for your Life