Their opinions sway in the wind from all points of the compass and are hardly ever anchored down by facts.

Sadly, it is a reflection on the lack of official industry alternative sources.

In return,the industry needs to improve the dissemination of factual information from proper sources..

Would be a good service

The forum dweller is a new entity in this virtual world,they deliver opinion so frequently that they develop a skill for imparting plausibility.
In the virtual world they are compelling and impressive,however in reality these experts are mostly unsuccessful and unenterprising individuals.
They usually have training in nothing related to there expertis,and most of all they lack integrity.
Their opinons sway in the wind from all points of the compass and are hardly ever anchored down by facts.
The new trainer in the sport is often drawn to forums as a source of knowladge.
Sadly,it is a reflection on the lack of official industry alternative sources.
A greyhound in the care of trainer following guidance from the experts on these internet forums is a greyhound at risk.
Like slum,we cannot just bulldoze it overnightbut it would be a starting point to accept that it exist and that some forum dwellers are delivering poor and often dangerous suggestions to the inexperianced trainers.
The ultimate answer to delhi slums is to tackle i bit by bit and introduce the rule of law in return for a better standard of life.
Our forum experts are failing our greyhounds and our new participents and its time for the industry to sanction liscensed members,who selfishly and ignoraantly undermine our sport and its partiicipaants.
In return,the industry needs to improve the dissemination of factual information from proper sources..

(This is you he is talking about people)
Lol

Cheers David

Collectively we should be thanking Des for the work he has done for our industry and our animals, not lambasting him.

Personally I am insulted. Unlike many I was lucky enough to be born into this industry but still regularly give advice and search for advice on forums. I have learnt many things and would hope I have helped some of the new inductees to our industry as well.

The statements that are particularly insulting to me.

"A greyhound in the care of trainer following guidance from the experts on these internet forums is a greyhound at risk."

and

"forum dwellers are delivering poor and often dangerous suggestions to the inexperienced trainers"

You Dr Fagan are a Dinosaur, the internet is the way of the future and its biggest asset is the dissemination of information. You underestimate the intelligence of the general online greyhound enthusiast most are very efficient at sorting out which information to follow and which not to. Some information may not be 100% correct but I can guarantee no one offering advice on this site is deliberately putting any new greyhound trainer or greyhound at risk.

If you are so concerned about the advice given, pull your stethoscope out of your ***** and get together with some of your cronies and offer an ask the Doctor section on greyhound data. We wouldn't expect you to answer 100 questions, 5 a week would be a good start and in two years you'd have one of your "official industry alternative sources".

Regards
Dan Biddle

What we don't need is somebody insulting the guys and gals on this site that walked through vet clinics like his and probably helped put his kids through private schools and make him live a comfortable lifestyle.

I can see his point to a degree but to me, there is absolutely no excuse for the scathing comments that he has made.

Terry, you are a learned guy and no dill. There are others on this site with plenty of knowledge of the sport. Surely, these guys can pass on as much information and guidance to the 'newbies' of greyhound racing.

Sure, not too many went through University and became vets but I tell you what, there is a stack of experenced greyhound trainers etc out there in internet land who can give some pretty basic, non life threatening advice without the need to donate to these bloody vets retirement fund. Does Dr Des want the industry regulated to the extent that we have to make an appointment with him to worm out a dog in the future? Next time a pup is lame for a day, straight to Dr Des?

I, like Dan Biddle, feel that the comments made, are 'over the top' and insulting to the many people on this site that have given out help to others when required.

Dr Des is probably a sensational vet. He might be a sensational driver as well....should that stop him from handing out advice to his kids if they are driving too fast? Afterall, he is not a qualified driving instructor.

The point is, as long as any comments made on these type of sites are not going to inflict injury or illness to any animal, what right has he to make such generalisations on any of our users?

But there's a difference between amateur advice and professional advice.

Veterinary advice should always be given by professionally qualified people. Would you like to receive legal advice from an unqualified internet expert ?

Des, has made his points strongly, but look at the tirade he has received from people that don't know him or the work that he done for this sport.

And consider the tirades to him on this thread based upon Garner leaving out 14 paragraphs of his article. Frightening in the speed that conclusions were drawn.

We all know that there are pseudo-experts on this site, that pretend to be well versed in veterinay knowledge, when in fact they are nothing more than "cut and paste" merchants of info from spurious sources. These are the people that should be called to account.

Let me reverse your question Rob, what should happen to someone that gives out veterinary advice on the internet, and that advice proves to cause further injury or death.

Is this simply a case of caveat emptor or should they be called to account ?

Rob Tyler wrote:

Tez...Dr Des probably has done plenty for our sport. Just like many members of GD have done plenty over the years helping others in times of need with donations of free services, pups, donating different items, transporting and advice. Participents who have gone out of their way to try and help others when asked. Participents who have bent over backwards to help flood victims, fire victims and folk who are on struggle street. Our sport can be a real 'mongrel' at times, but I tell you what, when the chips are down, quite a few come to the rescue in their own sort of way. What we don't need is somebody insulting the guys and gals on this site that walked through vet clinics like his and probably helped put his kids through private schools and make him live a comfortable lifestyle. I can see his point to a degree but to me, there is absolutely no excuse for the scathing comments that he has made. Terry, you are a learned guy and no dill. There are others on this site with plenty of knowledge of the sport. Surely, these guys can pass on as much information and guidance to the 'newbies' of greyhound racing. Sure, not too many went through University and became vets but I tell you what, there is a stack of experenced greyhound trainers etc out there in internet land who can give some pretty basic, non life threatening advice without the need to donate to these bloody vets retirement fund. Does Dr Des want the industry regulated to the extent that we have to make an appointment with him to worm out a dog in the future? Next time a pup is lame for a day, straight to Dr Des? I, like Dan Biddle, feel that the comments made, are 'over the top' and insulting to the many people on this site that have given out help to others when required. Dr Des is probably a sensational vet. He might be a sensational driver as well....should that stop him from handing out advice to his kids if they are driving too fast? Afterall, he is not a qualified driving instructor. The point is, as long as any comments made on these type of sites are not going to inflict injury or illness to any animal, what right has he to make such generalisations on any of our users?