CONGRATULATIONS to greyhound breeder Angela Rafferty, of Hamsterley, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, who is doing her best to make sure her dogs go to good homes after being forced to retire for health reasons (Echo, Jan 12).

As a protection group, we shared her horror at revelations, in 2006, of the slaughter of thousands of greyhounds at Seaham, Co Durham.

As far as we are aware, this has now ended in that particular locality. Sadly, our latest research indicates that at least 2,000 ex-racing dogs are still being put to death annually in Britain. In addition, an estimated 15,000 young greyhounds, many just pups, are killed every year in the UK and Ireland after being judged unsuitable to race.

That is why we are continuing to urge the public not to attend or bet on greyhound racing, so this appalling death industry comes to an end through lack of financial support.

See our website at greyhoundaction.org.uk for more information.

Tony Peters, UK Co-ordinator, Greyhound Action, Kidderminster,Worcestershire.