We can end Greyhound racing for good
Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and RSPCA call for a phased end to greyhound racing.
We, alongside the RSPCA and Blue Cross, have worked closely with the Greyhound industry for many years to try and improve welfare standards. But progress hasn’t happened quickly enough or on a large enough scale.
Greyhounds running at speed around oval tracks is dangerous. It can cause injury which in some cases can be so severe that it is necessary to euthanise the dog.
According to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, over 2,000 Greyhounds died or were put to sleep because of racing between 2018-2021, and racing dogs sustained almost 18,000 injuries. This is heartbreaking.
No dog should become injured or lose their life for entertainment.
The conditions racing dogs are kept in are poor and barren, with little (if any) enrichment, and fed a poor diet. The dogs are expected to race in extreme weather, and we have concerns about the number of puppies that are unaccounted for between birth and racing registrations, so often referred to by the sector as the "wastage".
Things can’t go on like this. It's time to cut the chase.
All dogs deserve to live a full, happy life, free from the threat of injury or death. That's why we, together with the RSPCA and Blue Cross, are calling for a phased end to the sport, which should be feasible within five years.
This is the only way we can secure good lives for these dogs.
We’ve worked closely with the Greyhound industry for many years to try to improve welfare conditions for the dogs, but progress has not been made quickly enough, or on a big enough scale. It is simply not acceptable that at least 2,000 greyhounds died over the last four years, all in the name of entertainment. We are fully committed to the welfare of all Greyhounds affected by our call for a phased end to the sport. We will continue to work collaboratively with the industry and other stakeholders to ensure the welfare of dogs is not compromised while working towards this.
Owen Sharp, Chief Executive, Dogs Trust
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