Greyhound Racing

Lower the chase on greyhound racing

We’ll minimize to the chase, greyhound racing has no place in trendy society.

Harmful? You guess.

Many are aware of the game the place greyhounds race round a observe, chasing a mechanical hare to the end line.

As soon as a sport deeply ingrained in British tradition, greyhound racing’s reputation is fortunately declining. It is a optimistic reflection of a contemporary and conscientious society, one the place the danger of struggling within the identify of enjoyable is not tolerated. Sadly, it is nonetheless authorized and loved on the bookmakers and by spectators.

Wales is one in every of ten international locations the place industrial greyhound racing nonetheless takes place – alongside England, Scotland and Eire.

It is time to face the details

Greyhound racing endangers canine to painful accidents and demise.

Knowledge from Hope Rescue demonstrates that Wales is, too typically, the ultimate cease for undesirable, injured and poorly performing racing greyhounds from Eire and England.

Between 2018 and 2021, Hope Rescue’s Wonderful Greys venture helped over 200 racing greyhounds.

Of those canine, 40 endured severe, career-ending accidents. These included extreme fractures needing vital vet care, amputation or orthopaedic restore.

The true variety of accidents in Wales is troublesome to know, as a result of there being no vet on the observe and no requirement to publish the variety of accidents or deaths.

Wales has no greyhound-specific laws and its final remaining observe just isn’t licensed. Nevertheless, licensing does not remedy the problem and does not defend canine.

Knowledge from GBGB present that over 2,000 greyhounds died and almost 18,000 accidents had been recorded from greyhound racing between 2018 and 2021.

By the age of three.5 years previous, 50% of greyhounds are now not racing.

By 5 years previous, 90% of greyhounds are now not racing.

Round 6000 greyhounds depart the licensed trade annually, with many needing to seek out new houses. This leaves charities and rescue organisations to choose up the items.

Many canine aren’t correctly socialised, educated or offered healthcare.

Sadly, the trade is poorly and inconsistently regulated. There’s little formal schooling for non-vet folks working inside the unbiased racing sector.

At its peak, there have been 250 licensed tracks within the UK. In the present day, solely 20 stay with an extra two which are unlicensed in Nice Britain.

Attending to the end line

Animals’ lives are to not be gambled. But yearly, 1000’s of canine face a lifetime of uncertainty, harm and even demise within the identify of sport, enjoyable and revenue.

The UK must rise up to hurry. We predict that is attainable to do by a phase-out programme. It is a transfer that will defend future generations of greyhounds from the damaging penalties of those races.

We have joined forces with our mates at Canines Belief, Blue Cross, Hope Rescue and Greyhound Rescue Wales to ensure this occurs.

In Wales, this appears fully attainable with its one remaining observe, the Valley Greyhound Stadium. We’re encouraging the Welsh Authorities to decide to a phase-out of greyhound racing. We’re additionally hopeful England will observe go well with.

Along with your assist, there could possibly be a greater future for greyhounds. Be part of the motion at the moment – Prepared, set, take motion.

*Not all of those canine can have raced in Wales. Some could have completed their racing lives outdoors of Wales however had been surrendered to the venture as a result of their racing house owners having hyperlinks with the Welsh observe.