THEY were doomed - set to be slaughtered.

Plucked from their grisly fate in Ireland after they could no longer cut it on the racetrack - these lucky ten ex-racing greyhounds have been rescued in the nick of time.

The death row dogs were shipped in from Dublin to the Blue Cross Animal Adoption Centre in Southampton where they will be cared for until they are found loving new homes.

It's the first time greyhounds, which were rescued from a Dublin dog pound by PAWS (Peoples Animal Welfare Safety), have ever been evacuated to the West End centre.

PAWS president, Deirdre Hetherington, who travelled from Ireland to Southampton to settle them in when they arrived, said she is hoping all the dogs will be adopted.

"They are beautiful animals and wonderful pets" she said.

"They almost certainly faced death because they are not fast enough any more despite only being between one and three years old. Now they have a second chance."

In Ireland, ex-racers are put in the pounds when life in the fast lane overtakes them - a high percentage are slaughtered by shooting or other methods.

Deirdre said the main problem is that greyhounds are seen as racing dogs but not pets in Ireland.

"PAWS is trying to educate people - even though it is just not the tradition to have them as pets," she said. In the meantime we are rescuing those we can and bringing them to England."

Deputy manager Lara Alford, of the Blue Cross centre in Bubb Lane, said if all the dogs are adopted fairly quickly, they may consider re-housing more. "The dogs will be assessed to see what sort of homes they need," she said. "After that we hope people will come forward to adopt them - they are very gentle, loving animals."

But the misconception that greyhounds need copious amounts of exercise is untrue according to Lara - just the usual two walks a day is all that's needed.

Deirdre described the dogs as "45mph couch potatoes" - fast but lazy.

"Even racing greyhounds are trainedand then kennelled - they run their race and then laze about - they aren't keep fit dogs at all," said Lara.

During their assessment, the dogs will be neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, treated for fleas and insured for six weeks so that they are ready to be taken home and cared for.

There is also an aftercare facility if new owners have any problems.

Lara said: "We would love people to get in touch and think about adopting one of the dogs. They are great pets who give a lot of love back."

To find out more, call the centre on 023 8069 6484.