Maria Daines: MUSIC

• MP3 play whole song, hi-fi (broadband)
• MP3 download whole song, hi-fi

RELEASED IN HONOUR OF GREYHOUND REMEMBRANCE WEEKEND


In memory of the dogs that have suffered and died.

Greyhound racing in the UK began on July 24th 1926 at Belle Vue Stadium, Manchester.

July 26th - 27th 2008



“Two years later. How many thousands of dead dogs later?”

Annette Crosbie OBE – July 2008




Animal Aid Interview with Annette Crosbie




Tomorrow, Wednesday 16th July marks the second anniversary of the ‘Seaham Slaughter’ exposure by Daniel Foggo, journalist to The Sunday Times. Not only did this investigation prove beyond doubt that greyhounds were being slaughtered on a massive scale but as a result of the public outcry, ministers demanded an All Parliamentary Enquiry.

In remembrance of those innocent souls that died at Seaham and to remind the media and public of the 100's of thousands of greyhounds that have raced to death since the conception of this ‘Circus of Horrors’, Greyt Exploitations has teamed up with the award winning singer/songwriter Maria Daines. Maria’s powerful ballad ‘Racing to Death’, is released this week and distributed to all BBC radio stations and many independent radio stations.

'Racing To Death' has been endorsed by Annette Crosbie OBE, who kindly provided the above quote, questioning just how many more thousands of greyhounds have died since the ‘Seaham Slaughter’.

So what has changed in the last two years?

Very little in fact, except for the price and means of disposal. In 2008, the cost to trainers and owners seeking to have their healthy greyhounds disposed of is now £30. Only to be further exploited by having their lifeless warm bodies dissected and their organs sold for a profit.

In remembrance of not only the thousands of nameless greyhounds that have been abused and exploited from cradle to grave and beyond, we also consider this cd release a mark of respect to Clash Nitro and Rent A Flyer, two young greyhounds who were photographed being lead to their slaughter and again graphically captured on film after their deaths at Seaham.

Please contact as many local radio stations as possible, by telephone, email or text and request they play ‘Racing to Death’ by Maria Daines.

Together with Maria’s powerful voice, we can speak for all of the greyhounds still being RACED TO DEATH FOR THE PRICE OF A BET, giving them the voice they so desperately need.

Please click here for your radio station’s contact details.


GREYTEXPLOITATIONS RESOURCES/MEDIA CONTACTS
Should you wish to make a less detailed request, please copy and paste the message below.

Please can you play ‘Racing to Death’ by Maria Daines, to highlight ‘Remembrance Weekend’ for greyhounds. A copy of which can be downloaded on this page free of charge.

Thank you

You may also like to include a link to the ‘Remembrance’ page at Greyt Exploitations.

GREYTEXPLOITATIONS IN REMEMBRANCE
For more information on the exploitation of racing greyhounds and to view this appeal online please visit -

GREYTEXPLOITATIONS/HOW YOU CAN HELP
Please remember to keep all correspondence polite and once again, many, many thanks for your valued support – together we can save lives.

Greyt Exploitations would also like to thank Maria, for devoting her valuable time and awesome talent to help raise awareness of the exploited racing greyhound.

Thank you Maria & Paul – from us and all the animals you so generously help.

From all at Greytexploitations

GREYTEXPLOITATIONS.COM
'NEVER DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF THOUGHTFUL COMMITTED CITIZENS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. INDEED, IT IS THE ONLY THING THAT EVER HAS' - MARGARET MEAD


*Biko*



A song written to speak up for the issue of 'disposable' greyhounds cast aside when the dog racing industry has finished with them.

'Racing to Death'

If I don't win today
I won't be here again
I've seen it happen to my friends
When their running days are done
Will it be over for me soon?
Can I come home with you?
I'm a greyhound on the outside
With a big heart on the inside

I've run so many times
Just a number on the lines
Just another winning streak
Just a gamble, at my peak
But soon I will be lame
I'll be out of this sad game
I'm a dog like any other
When my glory days are over

And I'm racing to death
For the price of a bet
My life is at stake
For the money you make
So spare me a thought
On that ticket you bought
It's signing my life away
I'm just a winner for a day

So here I am I'm lost
I've seen the gun, I heard the shot
I saw my friend old Billy Jack
I saw them drag him on his back
I don't know who is gonna save me
Please don't let them take me
I'm a greyhound on the outside
With a big heart on the inside

And I'm racing to death
For the price of a bet
My life is at stake
For the money you make
So spare me a thought
On that ticket you bought
It's signing my life away
I'm just a winner for a day

© Maria Daines/Paul Killington
All Rights Reserved
(mcps) ASCAP
5.08.07


BIKO'S STORY...

The SDGA team is devastated after receiving shocking news recently that dear Biko the beautiful two year old black male ex-racing greyhound who was recently rescued and brought to Devon for safe refuge had to be put to sleep the other day after a tragic accident shattered one of his legs.

Helen Stevens, spokesperson for SDGA listened in disbelief as she was told how Biko was being exercised on the leash as normal when he suddenly sighted a squirrel and tried to make chase, as he did so Biko apparently leapt high into the air and as he came back down to the ground his leg was instantly shattered and splintered most of the bones in his foot. Helen was told how the most horrendous noise of Biko's leg shattering was so loud it was as if a gun had gone off.

He was named after the great Steve Biko who was a South African freedom fighter. He has tattoos in both ears which confirms he was registered as a racing dog. He had sustained terrible previous injuries both to his leg and neck. Biko walked with a limp and it was felt that this would have been a permanent problem. The previous vet report states that he had muscle wastage on his neck due to his injury. When rescued he was flea ridden and had a rip in one of his ears.

Helen Stevens says "after being examined by a vet Biko's carers were advised to have him put to sleep as it was most likely that he would never be able to walk again as he was already struggling with a damaged leg that had been severely injured during his racing career. Had he not suffered from his previous racing injury then he may well have survived this accident as even if it had meant that Biko had to have his leg amputated he would have still had three healthy legs to walk on. We are placing full blame on the greyhound racing industry for Biko's death, not only for his previous racing injury but also the methods of training greyhounds to chase small animals so they will run on a track chasing an electric hare in order to win the race. We have heard stories where some greyhound trainers allegedly use small animal like cats and rabbits as live bait to encourage the chase factor. We will make sure Biko's death is not in vain!!

"This tragic news has come only days after we received an update on how Biko was making wonderful progress and beautiful pictures of him looking so happy and relaxed. We at SDGA and everyone involved in Biko's rescue and care are absolutely devastated. We can only take comfort in knowing that since his rescue Biko experienced nearly two weeks of happiness and freedom during his sad and painfully short life.

"Biko has been buried in the garden at the kennels where he resided and we have sent a card and small donation with an Irish blessing so the manager can plant a rose bush on his grave in memory of his short and tragic life.

"We are urging all readers to refrain from attending or betting on greyhounds as the industry relies heavily on public support and without this greyhound racing will certainly diminish. We should put an end to all this unnecessary suffering of dogs, the industry only exists because a few sad people waste their money on bets while greyhounds suffer and die because they are no longer needed once their racing days are over and often receive fatal injuries on tracks. These animals are considered disposable commodities and we will do all we can to highlight the plight of the greyhound."

For further enquiries please contact Helen Stevens at -

southwestanimalprotection@yahoo.co.uk

We sincerely hope you can print this tragic story and educate your readers on the horrors of greyhound racing.

(Permission to use photograph of Biko).

Best wishes

The SDGA team



Grateful thanks from Maria & Paul, to Mary Alice Pollard, Cornwall's Voice For Animals, for creating the beautiful artwork for Biko, you ROCK Mary!!!



For further information please click here -


GREYHOUND ACTION.ORG. UK
GREYHOUND ACTION.ORG/SPAIN
GREYHOUNDS IN NEED
ACTION FOR GREYHOUNDS UK