AS CO-ORDINATOR of Devon greyhound protection group South Devon Greyhound Action. I write to inform readers and dog lovers about National Greyhound Remembrance Weekend tomorrow and Sunday in memory of the thousands of greyhounds that have tragically lost their lives due to the commercial racing industry in the UK and Ireland.

Greyhound lovers and anti-racing campaigners will be laying flowers on Sunday at greyhound tracks across the country to remember the greyhounds that have needlessly suffered and died.

As a supposed nation of proud dog lovers it is my duty as an animal advocate to educate readers on the plight of the racing Greyhound.

This letter comes from the heart, and I want to be the greyhounds' voice as they have no voice of their own.

It is up to all of us to speak out about the things that are immoral in our society.

Thousands of these majestic, wonderful greyhounds are bred every year in the UK and Ireland to fuel a commercial industry that is guilty of putting to death many thousands of dogs once they have passed their sell- by date — i.e. no longer fit for racing.

Some greyhounds are lucky enough to be rescued while many others await the dreaded lethal injection or worse — being shot in the head — as some greyhound owners and trainers have no further use for them once they are too old to race.

Also these poor dogs, often young and healthy, are sold to vivisection labs for dissection.

Fatal injuries are often sustained on greyhound tracks across the country, with even more dogs being euthanised — all for the price of a bet.

In my view animals should not be used for human entertainment, and whenever there is profit to be made then exploitation and abuse is inevitable.

An RSPCA report has stated that "at least 20 greyhounds a day — either puppies which do not make the track, or 'retired' dogs aged three or four — simply 'disappear', presumed killed".

This is an appalling state of affairs in the UK.

It would be wrong to assume that Joe Public can't do anything about this massive carnage of racing greyhounds; in fact we have the power to stop all this simply by not attending meetings or betting on greyhound racing.

If we all did this, the greyhound racing industry's demise is certain. Hardcore punters cannot save this dying industry, which is on its last legs.

Several greyhound tracks across the UK have already closed as more and more people learn about the tragic fate of these poor dogs.

May we suggest that readers please visit these two important websites for the greyhounds — www.greyhoundaction.org.uk and www.greytexploitations.com — to read about their terrible plight.

Greyhounds make the most wonderful companions, so please contact a reputable Greyhound rescue centre in your area and offer a loving, forever home to a very needy dog who wants your love and care.

Many thanks for reading my plea on behalf of all greyhounds nationwide.

May those thousands of innocent dogs that have lost their lives rest in peace.

Please remember: "The future depends on what we do in the present" — Mahatma Gandhi.

HELEN STEVENS South Devon Greyhound Action Plymouth