BEN the greyhound has had a traumatic existence. Rescued from a life of scavenging and certain death on the streets of the town centre, his good health today is a testament to his kind-hearted rescuer Emma Burke.

Emma, a Project Manager with Helena Housing, has a keen interest in the welfare of racing greyhounds in particular after discovering the way some are treated after their racing days are over.

Welfare group Greyhound Action claim that at least 20,000 dogs are disposed of each year by the racing industry either because they fail to make the grade as racers or because they can no longer race.

Ben who is seven, was an ex-racing dog, but was dumped after his career ended and with the imminent closure of a track at Westhoughton near Bolton, Emma fears that another batch of dogs could be abandoned on the streets of the North West, including St Helens.

New homes needed

Ultimately, she added many dogs will need re-homing and is appealing for people in the town to offer new homes, or help with the transportation of dogs to their potential homes.

Julie Morgan of Sheya Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue has appealed to vets in the region not to put down any greyhounds when their trainers take them in. She claims that already some dogs have been destroyed, because as Emma stated: "It is seen to be kinder to put them down rather than leave them to fend for themselves or be killed at the hand of their owners."

Richard Moore, manager of the National Canine Defence League in Huyton is all too aware of the problem: "I've had experience of some very sad tales. Some dogs have had their ears cut off to stop them being identified. We can have six to eight at the centre at any one time. I am sure that we will have people contacting us regarding the dogs and we will try to help."

Anyone able to offer assistance can contact Julie Morgan on 01616 103525, or e-mail Sheya Rescue at sheyarescue@yahoo.co.uk.