Charities concerned by number of greyhound racing deaths
306 greyhounds from the industry died or were euthanised in 2022.
The latest statistics released in the greyhound racing industry has revealed that 306 dogs from the industry died or were euthanised in 2022.
The numbers, from Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), show that 99 of these greyhounds were euthanised on the race track on humane grounds.
This has prompted renewed pressure from various dog charities, known as the Cut the Chase Coalition, for an end to the greyhound racing industry.
The calls come after petitioning in Wales attracted 35,000 signatures, prompting the Senedd’s petition committee to recommend that the practice is banned in the country.
The Coalition, that includes charities such as Dogs Trust and the RSPCA, has worked with the industry previously to improve the welfare conditions of greyhounds, but believe that there are many welfare issues that have not been resolved.
The charities are concerned about the injuries that can be caused to dogs in the sport, and also consider the conditions that the greyhounds are kept in to be poor.
Owen Sharp, chief executive of Dogs Trust, said: “While GBGB will argue that the number of deaths and injuries has been reduced, it is not enough; one death or serious injury is one too many. For those lucky enough not to lose their lives through racing, many instead face being housed in poor conditions, with little or no enrichment.
“Greyhound racing must come to an end as quickly as possible to stop these completely avoidable deaths and serious injuries. We remain committed to protecting the welfare of these dogs until this happens.”
The GBGB, however, believes that it has made significant progress with improving greyhound welfare in the sport.
It said that more racing greyhounds are going on to retire and be rehomed as pets, reducing the number of greyhounds dying or being euthanised by 67 per cent in the past four years.
Furthermore it said that their Code of Practice, which details how members should care for their greyhounds, and their Rules of Racing are closely monitored by Stipendiary Stewards, veterinary surgeons and independent auditors to ensure that greyhounds are receiving the best possible care.
Mark Bird, chief executive of GBGB, said: “Welfare is absolutely paramount in licensed greyhound racing and everyone involved puts the health and wellbeing of greyhounds at the heart of everything they do. The data published yesterday provides firm, unequivocal proof that our already strong welfare standards are improving and that the initiatives we are putting in place are the right ones.”
Animal welfare minister Lord Benyon described their progress with reducing greyhound fatalities as ‘reassuring’, and said ‘I look forward to seeing what further improvements can be delivered’.
Mr Bird said: “We continue to work closely with the government and are pleased that the Animal Welfare Minister Lord Benyon has recognised the improvements we have achieved.”
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
