Three of the UK's largest animal welfare organisations are calling for an end to greyhound racing, to put a stop to the "unnecessary and completely preventable deaths" of hundreds of dogs every year. Dogs Trust, the RSPCA and Blue Cross have, as part of the Greyhound Forum, worked with the greyhound racing industry for many years to try to improve conditions for the dogs involved in the sport.
While this has led to some improvements, the three charities believe there are still significant welfare issues for racing greyhounds which cannot be resolved. Owen Sharp, Dogs Trust chief executive, said: "It is simply not acceptable that nearly 2,000 greyhounds died over the last four years, with close to 18,000 injuries recorded, all in the name of entertainment."
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The charities state that greyhound racing is "inherently dangerous for the dogs involves" and running at speed around oval tracks causes significant injuries.
In some cases, the injuries are so severe that it is necessary to put dogs down.
According to recent data from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), over 2,000 greyhounds died and nearly 18,000 injuries were recorded between 2018 and 2021.
Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive of RSPCA explained: "It's shocking that more than one dog a day is dying due to racing which our review has determined is inherently unsafe and compromises their welfare at almost every stage of their lives; it simply isn't acceptable."
Reviews conducted by the Dogs Trust, RSPCA and Blue Cross highlighted serious concerns at every stage of racing greyhound's life, including inadequate welfare standards in kennelling and transporting.
Some of the dogs used in racing are kept in poor, barren conditions, with little if any enrichment and fed a poor diet.
The reviews also highlighted concerns around the general health of the dogs including the number and severity of injuries sustained during racing.
There are also serious issues around the racing of greyhounds in extreme weather and the number of puppies that are unaccounted for between birth and racing registrations, so often referred to by the sector as the "wastage".
Chris Burghes, chief executive of Blue Cross said: " The consequences for dogs involved in greyhound racing are so serious, and progress in improving welfare standards so slow, despite sustained and repeated attempts by the animal welfare sector to instigate change; we need an end to this 'sport'.
"With injuries and death rife on and off the track, there can be no justification given for exploiting these animals and we appeal for government to take urgent action.
"We are committed to working with and advising the industry and government as to the fastest, most efficient way to bring greyhound racing to an end, whilst giving the highest priority to the dogs and their welfare during this time."
The leading animal welfare charities want to see an end to greyhound racing announced as soon as possible, and expect the phase out to be feasible within five years.
You can show your support for a phased end to greyhound racing across social media by using #cutthechase.
Responding to the call for greyhound racing to be banned in the UK, GBGB chief executive Mark Bird and chairman Jeremy Cooper said in an open letter that they were "deeply disappointed" with the change in stance.
They explained that the three leading animal charities had been working with the sport to protect and safeguard greyhounds, but have now switched and called for a ban.
They highlighted the GBGB's 'A Good Life for Every Greyhound' long-term welfare strategy, that has been developed with academics and veterinarians to improve the lives of racing greyhounds.
"Everyone involved in our sport puts the health and happiness of our greyhounds at the centre of all we do. Indeed, our welfare standards have never been higher and are improving year-on-year," the letter read.
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