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Bleak future for dogs as greyhound stadium closes
Dozens of greyhounds are facing death after the closure on the racing stadium in Portsmouth.
Up to 200 dogs regularly raced at the Tipner track, which closed on Saturday after 79 years, but now their owners face a tough decision.
Some of the hounds will be able to race at Poole Greyhound Stadium and can stay with their trainer. But many will not make the grade.
Those dogs could face being put down if they are not found a home, while some of the greyhounds in training are not suitable to be rehomed with families.
Pete Harris, who has been training greyhounds for the past 10 years at his home in Painswick Close, Paulsgrove, wants to eventually find homes for seven of his dogs.
They are being retired as they are not good enough to make the grade at Poole.
Mr Harris, 61, said the last race filled him with sadness.
'I feel as sick as a pig,' he said. 'It's terrible. We're mainly concerned about the dogs and their welfare.
'I think the majority of the trainers will find homes for these dogs but we will keep our dogs anyway.
'We will keep them until something comes up.'
He added: 'They enjoy it as much as we do. They run their hearts out for us.'
For Mr Harris and friend Lisa Howstead, 47, who walks the dogs, caring for the greyhounds has been a daily routine of walking and feeding for the last 10 years.
The dogs are kept in a huge kennel house at the back of Mr Harris' home.
Mrs Howstead, of Strode Road, Stamshaw, said: 'It would be better for Portsmouth if the greyhound stadium stayed open.
'There are not many places with a track and it made us a bit different. It's a sad old day.'
To try and rehome the dogs, the Retired Greyhound Trust will be holding its annual walk on April 25.
Around 85 dogs took part in last year's event, but it is expected this year will be even more popular, as Portsmouth's greyhound trainers take steps to find homes for their animals.
The trust's Sue Shearer said she knew of two trainers who each had 30 greyhounds, most of which would be looking for new homes.
The walk will start at the beginning of Eastney beach at 2pm, then go to castle gardens for refreshments, before returning to the start.
Anyone interested in taking part, or giving a greyhound a new home, can call Sue on (01983) 30032 or 07933785696.
Young and old come together to mark the end of an era
People crammed into Portsmouth's greyhound stadium on Saturday night to bid it a fond farewell.
Among those who had patiently queued along Target Road to get inside the stadium were Mark Thompson and Christine Dryer, who live in Germany.
They were there with Mark's daughters Laura, 22, and Alex, 16, both of Highfield Avenue in Fareham.
Laura said: 'We heard it was closing down so we wanted to come along because it is great fun.
'I have been a few times and it's always a good laugh and a good cheap night out.
'You get all sorts of people here, kids, pensioners and I'm going to miss it.'
Mark, 50, added: 'I will definitely miss it. I think maybe they should have promoted it more and built the stadium up. It's a great shame it's come to an end.'
Peter Hall, 59, took his 16-year-old son Chris along to get his first experience of greyhound racing.
Peter, of Gordon Road, Fareham, said: 'My son has never been before and he got a winner on the first race.
'It's tragic that it's closing and some people will really miss it. But one has to say that society has changed a bit.'
Chris said: 'It is completely different to other sports and it's bad they are closing it. There is not too many others about.'
Among those watching the action from beside the track on a dry, mild evening were Kelly Woods, 28, of Tipner Road, Tipner, who took her nephew Bradley, 13, and one-year-old niece Madision along.
Kelly said: 'We always used to come here as youngsters and I wanted to come back for the last night.
'It's great entertainment and I'll always have fantastic memories of this place.' Kelly's partner Darren Musselwhite, 35, added: 'I'll always have fond memories of it.'
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Friday 10 February 2012
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