Protect raced greyhounds from exports by introducing spay/neuter laws

Make it law to spay and neuter all raced greyhounds once they finish racing on licensed race tracks to protect them from being shipped around the world to breeding/racing kennels.

There is strong evidence that raced greyhounds can be sold in the guise of pets to countries where there are little to no welfare laws. British raced greyhounds are found in China at breeding/racing kennels. Some rescued and returned to Britain have been found to be emaciated and bred from up until very old age, over 11yrs old. Many are confined to cages for their whole lives.

I am concerned that the public are led to believe that almost all greyhounds are safely retired into loving homes. Shipping data exists showing the ongoing shipment of greyhounds to breeding facilities in Pakistan where we are concerned that there are outdated welfare laws.

Defra provides advice to dog owners in the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs, which can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ac78152ed915d76a04b2da6/pb13333-cop-dogs-091204.pdf. The code recommends that owners of dogs that do not intend to breed their dog can consult their vet to discuss the benefits of neutering.

More specifically, the main regulatory body for greyhound racing in Great Britain (the Greyhound Board of Great Britain - GBGB) has a homing policy that requires that where a greyhound is being placed in the care of a homing charity or in a new pet home, the greyhound should be neutered or spayed prior to being transferred to its retirement destination. Furthermore, where a greyhound leaves racing for breeding, GBGB requires the full details of the new kennel/breeding establishment. As with all retirement placements, GBGB requires trainers or owners to carry out due diligence on the breeder and must be confident that they will provide suitable welfare standards. GBGB also works with Greyhound Racing Ireland and the Irish Coursing Club to monitor GBGB-registered greyhounds that travel to Ireland for breeding.

The government does not believe it necessary to legislate to require dogs to be neutered or spayed in general, or for all racing greyhounds to be neutered or spayed once they leave racing. There would be several potentially complex welfare issues to consider, such as the impact on the British breeding of greyhounds as well as any effect on inbreeding in greyhounds. The Government’s priorities for animal welfare till 2030 have been set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy published in December 2025. Defra currently has no plans to consider changes to the neutering and spaying of greyhounds or of dogs more generally.