Ban greyhound racing to end unnecessary deaths & suffering of racing dogs

The Government must introduce legislation to abolish greyhound racing, via managed shutdown of activities, and ensure welfare of redundant dogs through a levy on the industry. In 2019 Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) data confirmed 4970 injuries & 710 deaths (14 per week).

Thousands of greyhounds are forced to race for worldwide betting markets. We believe that the welfare of racing greyhounds is not adequately protected by Animal Welfare Act 2006, GBGB, or any independent body, and that greyhounds endure unavoidable suffering on tracks that can be dangerously configured, race in extreme weather & can be housed in kennels that have not been independently inspected to gain UKAS accreditation, despite commitments to DEFRA.

The Government is aware of the genuine concerns that exist about greyhound racing. We are a world leader when it comes to animal welfare, and the Government expects high welfare standards to apply to racing greyhounds. Welfare concerns are being addressed, with the support of the Government. We do not, therefore, consider a ban to be justified.

The welfare of racing greyhounds in England is covered by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the 2006 Act) and the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010 (the 2010 Regulations).

The 2006 Act allows action to be taken where there is evidence of cruelty to an animal or a failure to provide for an animal’s welfare needs. These provisions apply where greyhounds are at tracks or kept at trainers’ kennels. Further to these general provisions, welfare standards at all English greyhound tracks are set by the 2010 Regulations.

The 2010 Regulations require that all greyhound tracks have a vet present while dogs are running, and that the vet inspects all greyhounds to ensure that they are fit to run, including in extreme weather. Temperature-controlled kennelling must also be provided at the track, and all racing greyhounds must be microchipped and tattooed.

A Government review of the 2010 Regulations in 2016 concluded that the regulations had proved effective in improving the welfare of greyhounds at the track, and traceability. However, the review also found that the industry needed to do more to improve conditions at trainers’ kennels as well as be more transparent.

In response, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) agreed to publish annual independently verified injury, euthanasia and retirement statistics from GBGB tracks. GBGB also agreed to extend their United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accreditation. In addition to allowing them to enforce the standards in the 2010 Regulations at GBGB tracks, this extension would ensure independent welfare standards are enforced at GBGB trainers’ kennels.