Dear Readers,
It is rather disconcerting that our government has decided to allocate a 4.3 per cent increase in public funds in the Budget to both the horse and greyhound racing industries. These sectors, which are notorious for their poor animal welfare records, stand to receive approximately €79.28 million and €19.82 million respectively.
Despite assertions about their popularity and success, the reliance on such hefty financial support to maintain their operations certainly questions these claims.
We argue that this funding could have been put to better use elsewhere, for example, to address the pressing issue of homelessness, support caregivers, or provide necessary assistance to small businesses that are battling to stay open. Instead, this money is being channelled into activities associated with gambling addiction and responsible for the brutal treatment of two noble creatures: horses and dogs.
Yours sincerely,
John Fitzgerald,
Callan, County Kilkenny.