SNOOPY (named for racing as Gorrys Goat)
Sex/colour: Male black
D.O.B: 23.04.2004
Last recorded owner: not found
Last recorded trainer: Dunne
Races contended: 16
Stadium: Mullinger (Ireland)
Last recorded race: 02.11.2006
Came to AfG: February 2011
SNOOPY (named by AfG) A middle aged Greyhound and one of many severe
neglect/cruelty cases to come to AfG.
Snoopy was spotted by AfG in 2011 being advertised free on Gumtree and
though his advert was viewed 200+ times it seemed none were concerned of
his condition on the photo.
Although the photo of Snoopy tied to a pipe in a kitchen, was taken at
an angle, we noticed his poor condition with his backbone protruding and
scaring on his body and face.
He was in Nelson in Lancashire.
Luckily, we had a vacant foster home, so a supporter in the area
contacted the ‘advertisers’ who stated he had to go and so far they had
no interest in a home offer for him.
The supporter picked Snoopy up and was alarmed by his condition, she
said if he had not been coming to AfG, she would have reported the
‘owners’ to the RSPCA.
She forwarded photos of poor Snoopy to us,so we were very prepared and
made a vet appointment ready for when he arrived.
The ‘owners’ stated they acquired Snoopy after seeing an advert in the
local pet shop in Nelson.
They contacted the advertiser saying they had a baby and toddler and
were interested in having a Greyhound.
The advertiser was an elderly man who was often given unwanted
Greyhounds and he housed them in sheds on an allotment site in Nelson,
then advertising them for free in the pet shop.
He told the young couple he had selected a suitable Greyhound for them
and dropped him off to their home with a tin of food and small bag of
kibble.
They were told he must be muzzled at all times around the small children.
It appears during Snoopys short time with the couple he had escaped on
two occasions, as their garden was not fenced so they had him tied
outside with a rope which he chewed through.
He had also been Muzzled almost 24/7 accept when given food & water!!.
Explaining the sores on his face (which matched up exactly with the
plastic muzzle they used)
The elderly man on the allotment was informed both times by the dog
warden who told them Snoopy belonged to the young couple so he had to be
returned to them.
Once Snoopy arrived to AfG we realised the bad state he was in and
though emaciated he still maintained a strong prey drive and seemed
bewildered (as can be expected from the neglect he had suffered).
Our vet made a full report of his mental and physical condition, noting
the neglect had been caused by not weeks but months of neglect, photos
were taken and along with her vets report were sent to the RSPCA
inspector who covered the Nelson area.
Once settled into his foster home (as an only dog) Snoopy had the
comfort of soft beds and nourishing food given several meals per day.
Gradually Snoopy improved physically and mentally.
We noticed Snoopy was already neutered(which seemed strange) no
microchip was found but he did need parasite treatment and would receive
a much needed dental once deemed healthy enough.
After months of proper care and careful socialisation with other dogs,
Snoopy gradually learned what proper care and love was.
Eventually Snoopy was deemed safe with all breeds of dogs (though not
with small brown dogs for some reason!).
So he found his forever home with the company of other rescued
Greyhounds and small dogs.
Snoopy became a favorite at many of AfGs events.
He is a very large tall long Greyhound and now at his prime he weighs an
impressive 38kg.
A stunning hound with a glossy coat, very photogenic and has featured
modeling AfG garments and on AfG calendars.
He also featured on TVs Alan Titchmarsh show, as AfG were contacted
asking if we had a Greyhound who had raced but had been neglected and saved.
So Snoopy joined several other dogs on the show, with his story being told.
The RSPCA visited the couple who had Snoopy and were assured they had no
other animals and would not be having any more dogs, they told the
inspector they believed Greyhounds were calm gentle family pets but felt
they were given a totally unsuitable dog and the man who gave them
Snoopy would not take him back, so their only option was to advertise
him for a home, so the RSPCA chose to take no action as they felt over
the short time they had Snoopy he could not have deteriorated to such a
level and would have already been in a state of neglect when they were
given him.
No checking was made by RSPCA at the allotment site where Snoopy and
other dogs were kept, so one of our supporters visited the site and took
photos of the dilapidated sheds (shown in the photos below)
The man on the allotment was spoken to and claimed he gave Snoopy to the
couple by mistake of another younger black Greyhound on the site as
Snoopy was not meant to be homed.
Had the couple have not been given Snoopy(the wrong dog) and had they
not advertised him, had AfG not spotted the advert, dear Snoopy would no
doubt been destined to continue to languish in the deplorable conditions
for the rest of his life.
He would have missed out on so much love,care and adventures, which he
had waited so much of his life for.
It is unclear of Snoopys life after his last race in Ireland age just
over 2 years until the time he came to AfG in 2011, perhaps he failed a
trial on a British track! or was raced on an unlicensed track! or used
for hare coursing!
We cannot change his past but were grateful he finally got a great life.
Photos below, show the dilapidated sheds on the allotment, Snoopys
condition when rescued and steadily improving.
Even eventually cuddling up with a little brown dog!!.
Photos above show Snoopy in great condition, a big beautiful stunning
Greyhound.
