Oxford Stadium is stepping up its calls for the Blue Cross to fulfil a promise to visit a GBGB licensed training facility and discuss tactics used in its campaign against greyhound racing.
The Cowley venue invited the Burford-based animal charity to attend the training headquarters of English Greyhound Derby winning trainer Kevin Hutton during a live broadcast on BBC Radio Oxford.
After accepting the invitation on air, representatives of Oxford Stadium immediately contacted and followed-up with the Blue Cross to organise the charity’s visit. Ten weeks have since passed, and regrettably no effort has been made by the Blue Cross to visit Mr Hutton’s kennels.
Kevin Boothby, Oxford Stadium Managing Director, confirmed the invitation remains on the table but also expressed his disappointment in the Blue Cross’ failure to engage to date.
“We were genuinely encouraged and had every confidence in the Blue Cross to fulfil its promise of meeting our team to tour a GBGB licensed training facility which operates under the sport’s present-day regulations,” said Kevin.
“Unfortunately, the charity has again refused to cooperate. We sympathise the UK is facing an animal homing crisis right now – something the Blue Cross’ team on the ground are no doubt working hard to overcome.
“But we cannot accept a lack of resource or time as an excuse for refusing to engage with our team. Bringing an end to UK greyhound racing is the Blue Cross’ flagship campaign, operating at an estimated cost of £150,000.
“Personally, I believe money of that kind can be invested far better to support genuine animal welfare concerns the country is facing. We hope the Blue Cross’ decision to accept our invitation in the public eye was genuine, and not made purely to satisfy the ears of those listening.”
The invitation coincided with the Blue Cross’ attempt to launch what it described as a new campaign against greyhound racing with the intention of ending the sport in the UK within five years. This is despite the very same campaign launching a year earlier in partnership with the RSPCA and Dogs Trust.
Oxford Stadium has since expressed several concerns about the joint campaign which were highlighted in its Open Letter to the charities in November 2022. Despite repeated calls, none of the charities have responded.
In addition, the Blue Cross has refused to release any supporting evidence behind a single one of its claims made against greyhound racing. The charity has also turned down the opportunity to be part of an independent documentary being produced about the sport which is due to be released in the first months of 2024.
Oxford Stadium has also highlighted concerns that the Blue Cross is photoshopping images of greyhounds and releasing them into the public domain to frame a highly misleading reality of the lives of greyhounds in the care of GBGB licensed trainers.
Kevin added: “The Blue Cross’ behaviour to fuel its campaign against greyhound racing in recent months especially has crossed the line.
“We have several concerns we’d like to put to the charity which we are yet to receive answers to.
“We’re happy to accommodate the charity’s visit to Mr Hutton’s kennels on any day at any time. We’ve deliberately chosen this facility as it is based only three fields from the Blue Cross’ headquarters in Burford.
“We hope to hear from the charity soon.”
