When other tracks have closed we have had to deal with dogs that have had their ears cut off to disguise their identification numbers and know that a number of these animals were brutally killed.

Doreen Graham, spokeswoman for the SSPCA

The charity has been unable to trace the dog after a member of the public got in touch to say he had seen it being hurled from a car window and staff fear it has been killed.

Doreen Graham, spokeswoman for the SSPCA, said: "When other tracks have closed we have had to deal with dogs that have had their ears cut off to disguise their identification numbers and know that a number of these animals were brutally killed.

"There are going to be a lot of trainers and racers out there who want to get rid of their greyhounds quickly come September and we urge them to think about their actions."

Mrs Graham said dog lovers rarely adopted greyhounds because they were believed to be too demanding but she said the breed made "super" pets.

Adopting a greyhound

"They need no more walking than Labradors or Collies and are quite happy to sit curled up by the fireside," she added.

Staff at the charity's animal welfare centres across Scotland are worried they will not have enough room to look after the unwanted dogs.

This has prompted them to urge anyone thinking of getting a dog to consider adopting a greyhound.

Mrs Graham said: "Put simply, we don't want to see another dog being placed in extreme danger on one of the country's busiest roads.

Costing money

Denise McGranaghan, chairman of the Greyhound Awareness League, said there had been an increasing number of cases where greyhound dogs had been abandoned.

"If greyhounds are not making money for people they are costing money, and many owners are choosing to abandon the dogs rather then pay the vet fee to get them put down," she said.

"It makes me feel sick to see animals being treated in this way."

The league works closely with the SSPCA in trying to find homes for abandoned greyhounds.

Most British tracks are strictly controlled, with fines for owners/trainers who neglect their dogs and the Retired Greyhound Trust also provides care and new homes for animals once their racing days are over.