THE possible resurgence of greyhound racing at Oxford Stadium has been met with heavy opposition from an animal rights organisation.

While the potential re-opening of the stadium has received widespread support across the county – from campaigners to the city council – non-profit group PETA slammed the use of the site for greyhound racing.

Responding to claims from entrepreneur Nick Budimir, who recently revealed plans of £20-£25 million investment to reopen the stadium for greyhound racing and speedway, PETA’s director Elisa Allen asked: “For dogs’ sake, what is this man thinking or drinking?”

She added: “Dogs used for racing are deprived of the love and companionship they need and instead are kept muzzled and in barren cages, only to be discarded like used betting slips once their racing days are over.

ALSO READ: Fatos Xheta jailed for life over 'savage' murder of wife

Oxford Mail:

"If developers want to resuscitate the Oxford Stadium racetrack, they can do that – but the council must ensure the venue hosts only car races and other sports involving willing, human participants."

She explained that 'more people than ever are opposed to this archaic pastime'.

At a meeting on November 10 attended by Oxford Stadium supporters, planning inspectors who will determine the future of the venue heard from the city council and the real estate company Savills, which represents the company which owns the stadium, Cowley Investments.

The council wants to keep the stadium, reintroducing greyhound racing and other leisure activities, while allowing 100 homes to be built on a car park.

ALSO READ: Oxford council commits £19m to tackle climate emergency

Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, who addressed a crowd of supporters of the project at a meeting earlier in November, said: “Dog racing I can give or take”.

When contacted about PETA’s concerns, Oxford City Council did not wish to provide a statement addressing the issue.

And Mr Hollingsworth refused to give further comment, instead telling the Oxford Mail to go to the council’s press office.

Campaigner Rob Peasley from Save Oxford Stadium pointed out that greyhounds and speedway were the two main activities in the stadium prior its closure in 2014.

He added: “As a speedway supporter, I’ve often seen negative comments towards greyhound racing, but the reality of the situation is very different to that stated by PETA.

ALSO READ: Oxford Stadium campaigners optimistic for future

“The greyhounds are very well looked after by the trainers, and you can tell how much the dogs love to race – they are doing what they love doing.”

Official figures released earlier this year by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain revealed that almost 1,000 racing greyhounds died or were killed in 2018.

Hundreds of dogs were euthanised in 2018 for reasons including the high cost of medical treatment and the absence of a ‘viable option away from the racecourse’.

There has also been a steady decline in the number of greyhound tracks, with Wimbledon and the flagship course, Towcester, among those that closed as attendance reached historic lows.