This poem, The Fate of a Greyhound, was recited at the Brisbane March for the Murdered Million on 24 July 2016.
Walking down the corridor looking through the bars, we see them looking back at us all with mental scars.
We call ourself superior, compassionate and kind, I wonder if you’ve ever thought what goes through their minds.
They look to us for love, support, kindness, shelter too, Life really is disgusting from a greyhound point of view.
Their racing life is very short, they try and do their best. Then all too soon it’s time to go and die with all the rest.
They’re drowned or shot, gassed and starved – it really is quite bad, hit on the head with hammers, so shocking and so sad.
We’re trying hard to home them and give them one more chance, as people dump them one by one without a backward glance.
The time has come, it’s time to go in every single town, time to end this cruelty, time to shut it down.
Next time you’re looking for a pet and can’t make up your mind, be sure to choose a greyhound who’s lazy, cute and kind.
I know you won’t regret it, you’ll have a friend for life, it’s easy to adopt and free them from this life.
Thank you Angela (Maddi’s mum) for writing this poem.