City councillor apologises for ‘maybe she might get rabies’ comment to animal activist

A city councillor has apologised for a 'rabies' remark on Facebook in reference to an animal activist who opposes greyhound racing.

Sally Button, Labour's candidate for Bowthorpe in the Norwich City Council 2012 elections. - Credit: Sid Frisby

Sally Button, Labour member for Bowthorpe, posted in a thread about how Kerry Elliman, from Birmingham Greyhound Protection, was bitten by a dog. She wrote: 'Maybe she might get rabies.'

Ms Button, whose Facebook profile shows a greyhound with the words Support Greyhound Racing, came in for criticism for that, with criticism also directed at Norwich Labour Party's Facebook.

She then posted on her Facebook page: 'I am issuing this as my apology. It was, of course, completely inexcusable of me to react in this way. The very best I can do is express my sincere apologies for the offence I have caused.'

Ms Button, a Retired Groundhound Trust volunteer, declined to comment further.