GEM (named for racing as Slieve Gallen)
Sex/colour: Female White with black patches
D.O.B: 20.03.2000
Last recorded owner: not known
Last recorded trainer: A. Green
Races contended: 11
Stadium: Crayford
Last recorded race: 25.03.2002
Came to AfG: March 2004
GEM (renamed by AfG) Dear Gem was one of the worst cruelty/neglect
cases AfG have rescued.
We were holding a stall in Norwich and a couple approached us with
concerns that a Greyhound they knew of was being mistreated.
Their son had been asked to look after the Greyhound whilst his ex
partner was in hospital giving birth.
We were given their sons contact and made arrangements to pick Gem(then
named Gemma) up from the Norwich flat the following day.
We had a foster home for Gem and took the resident rescued hounds along
to meet Gem outside on neutral ground.
To say we were shocked when we met Gem is an understatement.
She was emaciated with numerous pressure sores and riddled with fleas.
So our plans changed, to getting Gem straight to her foster home and
treated for fleas.
The ex partner of Gems ‘owner’ said he had not seen Gem for months after
they had split up and he had moved out, he was so concerned and thank
goodness made his parents aware who in turn luckily sought the help of AfG.
We noticed there were several cats in and around the flat, apparently
belonging to the woman.
When we left the property with Gem, we were met by her neighbor who had
come outside when she noticed us with Gem.
The lady just burst out in tears, stating she had not seen Gem for so
long she had not realised the ‘owner’ still had her.
She told us the cats all belonged to Gems ‘owner’ but had access to
outdoors and all the neighbors were feeding them.
This was on a late Sunday afternoon, Gem was settled into her foster
home on soft comfortable quilts and fed small nourishing meals over
several periods.
We had a vet appointment the following day and were so lucky to find the
local RSPCA inspector Jon Jenkins was at the practice already dealing
with a cat cruelty case.
He came to see Gem and took photos and notes.
He asked us to get the signature of Gems ‘owner’ on our change of
ownership form as the ex partner had signed it on her behalf, as the
inspector wanted to pursue an animal cruelty prosecution.
Our vet report stated that Gem weighed only 18kg so approx 50% less her
body weight for her size, she had muscle wastage, was lethargic, had
pressure sores on her joints and overgrown nails she must had survived
from fat and fluid reserves in her body, our vet stated had Gem been
left in this condition would likely not have survived the rest of the week.
On the Tuesday, Gems ‘owner’ had returned from hospital with her baby.
We contacted her asking that she signed the change of ownership form,
she did not want to do so but once we explained to her that Gem needed
vet treatment and as the current owner, she was liable to cover these
costs, of course she then immediately changed her mind.
It was very difficult for us to contain our emotions when we visited the
flat for the signature, so we were pleased to get this done and leave,
the woman asked us how Gem was, we asked her why she had let her get
into such bad condition and she blamed this on the fact that she was
expecting a baby and could not care for the Greyhound.
Little did she know that she would be prosecuted for animal cruelty.
Once the RSPCA inspector was given a copy of our form, he proceeded with
the prosecution case.
Meantime, Gem improved daily, she enjoyed the company of the resident
hounds in the home and the freedom of the large garden.
Regular vet visits were made to note her improvement.
The vet concluded that with bloods taken and the rapid improvement of
Gems overall condition that the only reason a young Greyhound could have
been in such a state of neglect was from nothing other than starvation
and for over a long period.
Had we not become aware of dear Gem when we had, we are sure she would
have starved to death.
Six months later, we were visited by inspector Jenkins stating the case
was due in court the following day.
He was amazed by Gems improvement and took several photos.
The result of the court case was a fine to Gems previous ‘owner’ Clare
Colby from Vale Green, Norwich for £200 and a 5 year ban on owning a dog.
Inspector Jenkins had previously visited Colbys flat to check on the
cats who seemed well fed and had access to outdoors, so no action could
be taken.
Once Gems racing history was checked, we discovered she was another
unwanted Greyhound offloaded in the free ads paper, Again by Yarmouth
Greyhound trainer, Ann Cossey, who we found acted as a mid agent to help
other trainers offload their unwanted Greyhounds, with no homecheck, not
neutered to anyone who wanted them.
Gems racing history showed her last race was at Crayford stadium, we
contacted them, they were very helpful and told us Gems papers were
transferred to Yarmouth stadium.
Once we contacted Yarmouth stadium(and as there were no listed races for
Gem there) they were unfortunately not forthcoming with any information.
Gem had spent several months in her foster home, due to the amount of
care needed and as she was so happy and settled, her foster home became
her forever home, where she enjoyed a life of love, fun and freedom.
Gem is the most wonderful Greyhound, at age 4 years, we made sure she
could put her life of cruelty behind her.
Photos below, show Gem when rescued and following her steady
improvement, at AfG events and enjoying her freedom.
Photos above show Gem happy and healthy, one photo of Gem is from the
AfG 2010 calendar, photoed by Greyhound Watch and on our in her
senior years, photoed by David Turner.
