Number of fatalities at greyhound racing tracks rises for the first time since records began

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The number of greyhounds dying on racetracks rose last year for the first time since records began six years ago, sparking calls for the sport to be banned.

A total of 109 dogs died at Britain’s 20 official racetracks, according to figures from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain.

And 427 died or were euthanized off-track – an increase from 5.5 percent to 7.2 percent of the racehorse population in one year – for reasons such as the cost of treatment, advice from a veterinarian or the fact that no home could be found for them.

When the body began recording official figures in 2017, statistics showed that around 257 greyhounds died in races within a year.

Over the next five years, the death toll fell each time, reaching 99 in 2022 before rising again last year.

Over the course of five years, the number of dog deaths at racetracks fell from 0.06 percent to 0.03 percent. Last year, the number of deaths was still at 0.03 percent.

4,238 injuries were recorded, a slight decrease compared to most years except 2020.

Leading animal welfare organisations such as the League Against Cruel Sports and the Cut the Chase Coalition – which also includes Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and the RSPCA – have renewed their calls for a ban on greyhound racing.

When navigating curves, the dogs are exposed to asymmetrical forces and their instinct to catch the mechanical hare causes them to run as fast as possible, risking collision with other running dogs, which usually results in injury and death.

Emma Judd, the league’s campaign director, said: “The fundamentally unsafe nature of greyhound racing on oval tracks results in an unacceptable number of fatalities and an excessive number of injuries.”

“It is time to ban greyhound racing – greyhounds are currently being sacrificed for the profits of the gambling industry and people’s entertainment.”

The Cut the Chase Coalition said there were concerns about the welfare of racing greyhounds at every stage of their lives, including welfare standards in the kennels and transport of the dogs.

“Some of the dogs used in racing are kept in poor, barren conditions and are given little or no opportunities for exercise,” such as play, social contact and walks, a spokesman said.

They could also be “poorly fed and there are concerns about the general health of dogs participating in racing,” they said.

“This year’s GBGB data shows a significant increase in the number of greyhounds remaining with their owner or trainer after retirement. We are concerned that this could result in dogs being housed in unsuitable kennels for the rest of their lives when they are not racing.”

Scottish MP Mark Ruskell has introduced a bill in Holyrood that would ban greyhound racing north of the border. The proposal needs to be supported by at least 18 MPs.

The board states that the welfare of the dogs is their top priority and that “everyone in the sport is committed to optimising the care of greyhounds”.

Mark Bird, chief executive of GBGB, said: “It is clear that our sport is not immune to the current cost of living and housing crisis affecting so many charities and housing centres across the country.

“While we would always prefer to see a retired greyhound go to a loving, permanent home as quickly as possible, it is a testament to our dedicated trainers and owners that so many of them are willing to keep their retired racing dogs and give them the care and attention they deserve, while continuing to cover all costs.

“We can never rest on our laurels when it comes to welfare, but it is encouraging that our work on track safety is beginning to show positive results and that our numerous railway welfare initiatives are mitigating the impact of the homing crisis.

“We remain focused on implementing our welfare strategy in its entirety and continue to call on the betting industry to meet its own responsibilities and help us achieve our welfare goals, which are critical to the long-term success of our sport.”