The turnout at the public meeting of the future of the 'Stow' on Mon 23rd Jan has been highly praised by the pro-racing community. It was a poorly attended by 5 Walthamstow Councillors, and MP supporters(Stella Creasy & Ian Duncan Smith)of the re-opening of the closed greyhound track issued statements, in their absence, opposing the housing plans submitted by housing association L&Q.
MP Stella Creasy had told a Walthamstow Councillor she had received no emails/letters from anyone voicing concerns of the re-opening of the greyhound track, despite replying to GS last year with:
MP Stella Creasy had told a Walthamstow Councillor she had received no emails/letters from anyone voicing concerns of the re-opening of the greyhound track, despite replying to GS last year with:
'As someone with a strong commitment to animal welfare I am satisfied that were the track to be re-opened this would be a key component of the work at the track - indeed, I've been working with campaigners to ensure that they work with the League against Cruel Sports and the Dogs Trust to ensure this as a personal priority'
A claim played down by those 2 welfare groups
A claim despite the 'welfare' of these greyhounds filmed at Walthamstow, before it closed.
Though Stella Creasy is yet to reply to emails showing this video, as are other MP's /Councillors/Residents Associations.
A new 'resident association' was formed after the public meeting on the future of the 'Stow'.
'Walthamstow Stadium Area Residents and Community Association', despite saying they are 'currently neither for or against the return of Walthamstow Stadium', just looking around their website and Twitter account shows a bias towards favouring the re-opening of the 'Stow'.
In a reply to the petition posted on Greyhound Safe Twitter WSARCA wrote: 'this isnt about dog racing its about a proposal to build tower blocks and dense estate in an inappropriate area'.
With Walthamforest Council taking comments on the future of the Stow to the end of Feb(2012), please continue to politely email MP's/Councillors/Residents Associations(email address campaign)with your concerns of an expansion of the abuse of greyhounds into Walthamstow - to raise their awareness to the inherent abuse greyhounds endure to sustain a dwindling industry.
