A big statement.
Irish company Barry's Tea has announced its plans to cut sponsorship ties with the greyhound racing industry in Ireland.
The industry was plunged into controversy last week when
RTÉ Investigates revealed that as many as 6,000 greyhounds are killed in Ireland each year after they fail to reach qualifying times.
The Irish Greyhound Board
responded to the revelations by saying: "Any person who knowingly harms a greyhound brings shame upon our industry. The IGB will continue to investigate any matters brought to its attention."
Pressure has since mounted on private companies who sponsor greyhound racing events in Ireland to act.
In a statement posted on their official Twitter account on Tuesday, Barry's Tea wrote: "We were saddened and horrified by the recent revelations of the RTÉ Investigates programme, which raised concerns over the treatment of dogs within the greyhound industry in Ireland.
"On reflection, we have decided to withdraw our local sponsoship of the annual race in Curraheen Park, Cork."
Yesterday, the company had revealed it was considering its sponsorship of the race, saying: "We are very concerned at the revelations highlighted in the RTÉ Investigates programme which aired on Wednesday and we are currently reviewing our sponsorship of the annual race."
Ireland is just one of eight countries in the world where greyhound racing is not prohibited.
RTÉ Investigates also found that 15 licensed knackeries in Ireland said that they would kill greyhounds for prices ranging from €10 to €35 each.
