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Irish greyhounds are being worked to the bone, abused and then boiled alive in a scandal which shames Irish trainers.

Former champions dogs are literally boiled alive once their racing days are over.

The dogs are strung up to be weighed, hosed down with scalding water and boiled alive.

Their suffering was exposed as British campaigner Kerry Elliman launched a new mercy mission to save some of the poor creatures.

Kerry, 32, said: “It’s very upsetting but we can’t hide from the reality of what’s happening to these gentle creatures while we turn a blind eye.

“I’ve seen videos where dogs are being boiled alive. I saw one the other day when a meat wagon was being hosed down with scalding hot water – with the dogs still in it. You could hear them screaming. It was horrific.

(Image: John Gladwin/Sunday Mirror)

“And once greyhounds can no longer race, their meat is all they’re good for.”

The horror of greyhounds used for racing in China’s Macau region reflects badly on some Irish and British trainers who cashed in by exporting their dogs.

Bernie Wright of the Alliance for Animal Rights has called on the Irish government to cut all grants for greyhound, and race horse trainers.

She said: "There's people homeless on the street and the government is still giving out thousands in grants for trainers."

Currently, it is not illegal for Irish people to export greyhounds, Bernie wants this to change.

She said: "The government is trying to stop people from exporting dogs to China, but it's very hard to do this. Dog's easily go to the UK, and from there to China.

(Image: Amy Sharpe)

"It's not just China though, dogs are being sent to Pakistan and Taiwan too.

"We also need to get sponsors to stop covering events."

The highly sought-after UK and Irish greyhound bloodlines mean our dogs can fetch prices of up to €330,000 in China.

Dog racing is outlawed in China, but the autonomous Macau region – dubbed the Las Vegas of Asia – has its own legal system and is home to the Canidrome track. Around 120 dogs take part in 16 races five days per week.

A number of Irish and British greyhounds that have been exported to China have featured on the Campaign Against Greyhound Exploitation and Death website. There are 30 named dogs on the site.

Once found, a racing greyhound’s heritage can be revealed by checking a number tattooed on its ear.

Locating them in the first place is near-impossible, though – especially as some abusers are said to cut the dogs’ tattooed ear off.

Kerry Elliman is in contact with a number of activists in China who patrol slaughterhouses, search meat trucks and inform her when they spot greyhounds.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

She said: “They contact me via WeChat, a Chinese social media, if they spot a greyhound and ask if I want to pay to secure and rescue it. Usually the cost is peanuts, £15. I say yes, then make arrangements for the dog to be moved to a rescue centre by my contacts.

“Once, I pledged to rescue 10 greyhounds but the time difference between the UK and China meant the dogs had been killed before they read my message.”

Video footage from contacts across China gives a horrific insight into how racing greyhounds are treated in the absence of animal protection laws.

One harrowing clip shows a greyhound being boiled alive in a cauldron.

In other clips greyhounds yelp as they are strung up with cables and hung from a line to be weighed.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

Other greyhounds, reduced to skin and bone, are confined in a tiny cage. Last week, Kerry spent five days in Beijing to retrieve the dogs her contacts intercepted.

She added: “Activists and rescuers that I know pull greyhounds from meat wagons. They risk their lives doing this. One girl I work with over there is traumatised by what she sees happening.”

Kerry flew Bella, Hope, Faith, Little Boy, Charity, Cloud, Nellie, Doodles and Frankie to Paris at a cost of €10,000.

In a statement The Irish Greyhound Board said: " The Irish Greyhound Board welcomed proposed legislation on greyhound exports however the IGB believe that action may be needed at an EU level.

"Currently, there is no legislation prohibiting the exports of greyhounds however the IGB had already stated their opposition of exports to countries which do not meet Ireland’s welfare standards.

"The movement of all dogs between Member States is currently set on a European level. "This may require any further legislative changes to be sponsored at a European level rather than as a national measure in isolation.

Speaking on this issue Barry Coleman, Welfare Manager with the IGB stated:

“Concerns over exports relate to all dogs, not just greyhounds.

"Some of the practices involving dogs in other countries are absolutely appalling and horrific.

"The IGB are opposed to exports to countries that do not meet Ireland’s welfare standards and we would welcome legislation in this area, but this may be needed on a European level.”

A spokesperson for the IGB added ‘These exports are not representative of the national greyhound sector.

"The vast majority of owners are responsible; they provide excellent care for their greyhounds and if exporting they only do so to countries which have similar welfare standards to Ireland."