Arena Racing Company (ARC) has revealed that it will offer financial support to greyhound trainers based at its five stadia during the period of suspension for racing.
Following the suspension of greyhound racing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ARC will offer £5 per dog per week to trainers from Belle Vue, Newcastle, Nottingham, Perry Barr and Sunderland.
The funds will go towards supporting the welfare needs of greyhounds that are unable to race during this time.
ARC Director of Greyhound Operations Rachel Corden said: “These are very challenging times for everyone across the greyhound racing industry.
“The support offered to the trainers at our five stadia will assist them as they work hard to continue to look after all the greyhounds in their care during the three-week period when racing restrictions are in place.”
The support will be in place for the initial three-week period throughout which racing has been suspended and reviewed once the situation becomes clearer.
The suspension, confirmed by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) earlier this week, came after the announcement of Boris Johnson’s package of new restrictions on travel and social engagements. The ‘lockdown’ is due to be reviewed in three weeks.