Greyhounds run their last race at the Stow

It’s the end of an era at Walthamstow.  The greyhounds ran their last race round the famous Stow track on Saturday, before it closed for good.

It's the most famous dog track in the UK, frequented by celebrities and David Beckham apparently had his very first job there.

Sadly, many greyhound tracks are going the same way.  This sport used to be hugely popular, with 77 tracks around the UK back in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Over £16 million was gambled on the dogs at the Stow in 1989.  However, online gambling has replaced the action for many, and takings were down to less than £9 million last year.  Over £2 billion is still gambled nationwide on the dogs, but most of this is done online or in betting shops, rater than at the track itself.  This is a shame, as there really is no substitute for watching from the stands for your dog to come in.   There are now 29 greyhound tracks around the British Isles and just one in London.

The Stow has been around for 70 years, and was sold on to developers by the owners this year since it had become unprofitable.  However, once news went around of the closure, thousands of people turned up to the stands and to campaign for the Stow.  Campaigners were joined by Conservative MP Ian Duncan Smith and Labour MP Neil Gerrard.

There are now 150 greyhounds looking for a new home to spend their ‘retirement’.    Greyhounds make great family dogs and have a lovely nature.  If you'd like to give a good home to an old racer, contact  http://www.wsretiredgreyhounds.co.uk/