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“We want to see an end to greyhound racing as soon as possible” - A big thank you to the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Blue Cross who have today issued a widely welcomed joint statement calling for a phasing out of racing which is responsible for so much suffering and death.
In a seismic blow to the cruel dog-killing gambling activity, the hard-hitting statement from three of the UK’s largest animal welfare charities outlines that they are “calling for greyhound racing to come to an end as soon as possible to put a stop to the unnecessary and completely preventable deaths of hundreds of dogs every year.”
The groups say that, as part of the Greyhound Forum, they “worked with the greyhound racing industry for many years to try to improve conditions for the dogs involved in the sport” but “while this has led to some improvements, we all believe there are still significant welfare issues for racing greyhounds which have not been resolved and CANNOT be resolved.”
They described greyhound racing as “inherently dangerous for the dogs involved”.
“Running at speed around oval tracks causes significant injury to many dogs, and in some cases, the injuries are so severe that it is necessary to euthanise the dog,” the statement continued. “The Greyhound Board of Great Britain is the self-regulating organisation that governs licensed greyhound racing in Great Britain. Data from GBGB shows that over 2,000 greyhounds died and nearly 18,000 injuries were recorded from greyhound racing between 2018 and 2021, with additional dogs injured on independent tracks.”
Reviews conducted by the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Blue Cross “highlighted serious concerns at every stage of a racing greyhound's life including issues around inadequate welfare standards in kennelling and transporting the dogs”.
The reviews also highlighted that “some of the dogs used in racing are kept in poor, barren conditions, with little if any enrichment and fed a poor diet” and that there are “concerns around the general health of the dogs including the number and severity of injuries sustained during racing”.
They also expressed concerns about 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’.”
The three groups emphasised that they want to see an end to greyhound racing as soon as possible, adding that they “expect the phase-out to be feasible within five years to allow the racing industry and animal welfare organisations to carefully plan and coordinate the care of the many dogs affected”.
Statements from the CEOs...
RSPCA CEO Chris Sherwood: “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. We've tried to work with the industry over the years to bring in better protection and improve welfare for the dogs but we're not satisfied that enough progress has been made. We feel that now, moving forwards, the only way we can secure good lives for these dogs is to call for the sport to be phased out and we want to see greyhound racing consigned to the past.”
Dogs Trust CEO Owen Sharp: “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, with close to 18,000 injuries, all in the name of entertainment.”
Blue Cross CEO Chris Burghes: “The consequences for dogs involved in greyhound racing are so serious, and progress in improving welfare standards is 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're 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.”
Tweets from the groups...
Dogs Trust: “No dog should become injured or lose their life for entertainment. Today we are proud to stand alongside the @RSPCA_official and @The_Blue_Cross, in calling for a phased end to greyhound racing in the UK.”
RSPCA International: “The clock is ticking for greyhound racing in the UK”
RSPCA: “Thousands of dogs sustain injuries and hundreds die on racetracks every year. All dogs deserve to live a good life. That's why we, @DogsTrust and @The_Blue_Cross are standing united in calling for a phased end to this sport.”
Sam Gaines/RSPCA: “We're standing alongside @DogsTrust & @The_Blue_Cross calling for a phased end to greyhound racing. Over 2000 dogs died & nearly 18000 injuries were recorded on regulated tracks between 2018 & 2021. More dogs will have died & suffered injuries on unregulated tracks. #CutTheChase”
Blue Cross: “At least 2,000 Greyhounds died and nearly 18,000 were injured over the last four years which is simply not acceptable.”
Read the full statement at
https://www.rspca.org.uk/-/news-charities-call-for-end-greyhound-racing-uk
Last year, in response to a petition signed by more than 100,000 people, the UK Government said it “considers that welfare concerns are being addressed in many ways, and believes a ban is unnecessary”. With three of the UK’s largest animal welfare charities now calling for greyhound racing to be stopped, the government must now reconsider its position, acknowledge the inherent cruelty and killing and move to finally bring greyhound racing to an end.