Dog race stadium is vandal target

Buy photos » Stadium manager Bob Webb next to one of the vandalised traps. Picture by Jon Mullis 02.012.022.cov.jm1

VANDALS have broken into Coventry Stadium and caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

Stadium chiefs said they were shocked to return after the Christmas break to discover graffiti which read 'this is just the beginning' sprayed onto the main entrance of the track.

The padlock had also been glued and wires on the traps on the far side of the stadium had been cut during the attack.

There have been regular protests at the stadium over the years when greyhound racing has been held there.

"They must have knew what they were doing," Bob Webb, general manager for greyhound racing at the stadium, told the Observer.

"Not only did they cut the electric wires on the trap, but they cut the manual cables too.

"It is a terrible thing to do but we have stepped up our security and it's very much business as normal at Coventry Dogs.

"Protests here have always been very peaceful and I wouldn't expect anyone involved in them to be involved with something like this."

Speaking to us when greyhound racing returned to the track in May last year Harry Findlay, who runs the racing nights, dismissed claims dogs were being treated unfairly.

At the time he said: "I welcome these protesters to come in for free and see how safe dog racing at Brandon is.

"I think they'll be surprised by what they see and I think it's important they know not one dog has suffered any injuries because of the quality of the track."

Neither West Midlands Police or Warwickshire Police were able to confirm whether anyone had been arrested in connection with the vandalism on New Year's Day as we went to press.

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