DAVE SMITH SEAHAM GREYHOUND KILLER: SHOCKING CRUELTY REVEALED IN NORTH EAST ENGLAND

David 'Dave' Smith, born around 1949 and residing at Adam and Eve Cottage on Northdene Avenue in Seaham, has become a notorious figure due to his involvement in the killing of thousands of retired racing greyhounds. His actions, which have sparked widespread outrage, involved the use of a bolt gun to euthanize these dogs, many of which had been bred and raised in Ireland before being sold for racing purposes.

Despite the scale of his alleged activities, Smith was never formally charged with animal cruelty. The prosecution was initiated by the Environment Agency after police investigations concluded that criminal charges related to animal cruelty could not be substantiated. Instead, the focus shifted to environmental violations, specifically the improper disposal of animal remains.

Smith, often referred to as the 'Seaham Slaughterer' by local media, was photographed by a reporter leading two greyhounds—later identified as Clash Nitro and Rent a Flyer, both two-year-olds—towards a designated kill zone. These dogs, which had been bred in Ireland, were later found to have been disposed of in a manner that raised serious ethical questions. The footage showed Smith returning shortly after with the bodies of the same two dogs in a wheelbarrow, a scene that shocked viewers and animal welfare advocates alike.

During police questioning, it was confirmed that the bolt gun used by Smith was legally held, and there was no evidence to suggest that he had killed the greyhounds inhumanely. Unconfirmed reports indicated that Smith may have also been involved in disposing of dogs for police and local authorities, although these claims were not officially verified. The RSPCA conducted an investigation and concluded that there was no indication that animal cruelty laws had been broken in the process.

Nevertheless, Smith faced legal consequences under legislation aimed at controlling waste disposal. After a six-month investigation, he was prosecuted under the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations. Smith admitted to a single charge of disposing of waste—specifically, the bodies of deceased dogs—on land without the necessary permit, on July 12, 2006. As a result, he was fined £2,000 for environmental breaches.

Animal rights groups, including the now-defunct Greyhound Action, staged protests outside the court, condemning the greyhound racing industry for its complicity and failure to face accountability. The protestors argued that the industry itself should have been held responsible for the welfare of the dogs.

Despite the controversy, many local residents in Seaham supported Smith, claiming that his actions were driven by demand from the greyhound racing industry and that he was simply fulfilling a necessary service. As of 2019, Smith continues to operate a building supplies business called Smith Builders Merchants & DIY, based on Lord Street in Seaham.

In June 2019, Irish television channel RTÉ aired a documentary titled 'RTÉ Investigates: Greyhounds Running for Their Lives,' which shed light on the greyhound industry’s darker side. The program revealed that several Irish knackeries, including Larry Earle Ltd of Camolin, Co. Wexford, and John Styles & Son Ltd in Kyletalesha Townland, Co. Laois, are still willing to provide similar services today, raising concerns about ongoing animal cruelty within the industry.