Greyhound racing is a dying industry that comes at a devastating cost: thousands of dogs suffer injuries, neglect, and death every year. Despite flimsy claims of welfare improvements from the Greyhound Racing Board of Great Britain (GBGB), the reality is bleak—greyhounds are overbred, raced to exhaustion or death, and discarded when no longer profitable. The situation is not improving; the latest statistics from GBGB show an increase in greyhound deaths in recent years.

New Zealand and Wales have recently moved to ban the cruel practice, now it's our turn. England must act now. 

🔴 The Reality of Greyhound Racing:

Deaths: In 2023 alone, 427 licensed greyhounds were reported dead by the GBGB, with causes ranging from 'track injuries' and 'treatment costs' to 'no viable home'. The actual death toll is likely significantly higher due to underreporting, and this figure also doesn't reflect the 4,000 puppies that 'disappear' (are killed or dumped) every year before registration. The greyhound racing industry calls this 'wastage'. 

 

Injuries: Over 4,000 injuries were recorded in 2023. Frequent injuries include broken legs, head trauma, and spinal fractures, with many of these injuries subsequently leading to a dog being euthanised, either due to the severity of the injury, or because the cost of treatment was deemed too high by the trainer

Doping & Neglect: Dogs have tested positive for illegal substances like cocaine and steroids to 'enhance their performance' and when not on the track, many are left to endure cruel, cramped living conditions with minimal exercise and vet care. 

Rescue Crisis: Thousands of greyhounds need homes every year when they are deemed no longer profitable, putting enormous pressure on our country's already overwhelmed rescues. It is unjustifiable and unacceptable that rescue centres are the ones who bare the immense responsibility of care for greyhounds that have been overbred, often physically and mentally abused, exploited within an inch of their lives for profit, and then dumped on their doorsteps by a government-funded industry - when they themselves receive little or no funding at all.

Regulatory Failures: The industry is self-regulated by GBGB, causing serious conflicts of interest between welfare oversight and profit-making. As demonstrated by the increasing death toll, the GBGB has failed in its duty of care and can simply not be trusted to advocate for greyhounds when exploiting them proves to be more profitable. 

 

Exported to Die: Undercover investigations have found that 'retired' greyhounds are often exported abroad to countries with little or no animal welfare laws, where they are subjected to further abuse in other dangerous 'sports', meat markets, or slaughter houses. GBGB have done nothing to stop this. 

 

🔴 Other Countries Have Banned It – England Must Act Now
Greyhound racing now remains legal in just 8 countries, with New Zealand and Wales recently announcing plans to ban. England is lagging dangerously behind in phasing out this outdated and unethical industry, a national embarrassment for a nation of 'dog lovers'.

🚨 Labour Promised to Prioritise Animal Welfare – Now It's Time to Deliver 🚨
Before the election, Labour pledged that animal welfare would be a key priority. Now that they’re in power, we need them to follow through on their promises and take action to end greyhound racing once and for all.

💔 There is No 'Joy' in Cruelty
Labour MP Lisa Nandy recently stated that there were no plans to ban greyhound racing in England because it "brings joy to people" and that they "enjoy the economic benefits". We find this disappointing and deeply disturbing. There is no joy in watching dogs risk their lives for gambling profits. There is no joy in the thousands of greyhounds discarded, neglected, or killed when they’re no longer profitable. There is no joy in compassionate and kind rescue volunteers having to euthanise another gentle greyhound that they couldn't find a home for in time. 'Economic benefits' should not warrant the total discarding of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

📢 We Must Show That We The Public Do Not Support This
We refuse to let outdated views, industry greed, and political inaction keep this barbaric excuse of a 'sport' alive. The government needs to see that the British public do not back this disgusting practice and that we demand change. Animal welfare laws exist for a reason and we cannot allow them to be cast aside simply because cruelty lines the pockets of those within the gambling industry who have no remorse or morals whatsoever. 

👉 Sign this petition today and demand the UK government ban greyhound racing for good in 2025. 

Add your name today and share to spread the word.

Petition by The Animal Advocacy Project  - Please contact us if you'd like to get further involved with this campaign. 

*Left image of banner courtesy of Greyt Exploitations and their investigation into a kennels that were deemed acceptable by GBGB. The dogs housed in these kennels were forced to stand and sleep in their own excrement and were regularly confined here for up to three days at a time without exercise.