Greyhound Watch Calls for end to Racing
Written by Clive Ellis
Greyhound racing is now marketed as a fun night for all the family to try and halt the industries demise but the image presented is far removed from the reality of this so called sport.
For every greyhound that enters racing another will not make the grade and is likely killed. It is the same fate for many dogs that have competed on the track and not all are humanely put-to-sleep by a vet.
The British tracks fuelled the breeding of 23,000 plus greyhounds in 2007 and in excess of 26,000 the previous year (the majority bred in Ireland).
New registrations, however, for greyhounds to compete on tracks that come under the regulation of the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) is about 10,000 annually (9,751 in 2007). Perhaps an additional 10% can be added to the above figure for the independent (flapping) tacks that are minor players in comparison.
Sadly, the desire for only the highest performing animal leads to over breeding, and many greyhounds are simply too slow or fight or will not chase.
Annual statistics for greyhounds homed are slowly increasing but they remain only a fraction of breeding figures; 7,000 would be a realistic estimate for 2007 (about 70% having retired from NGRC tracks).
It is a figure that includes a growing number of greyhounds that are given to anyone by their trainer/owner with no regard shown for the future welfare of the animal; a practice in breach of NGRC rule 18-1-E, and driven by a need to off-load greyhounds as cheaply and quickly as possible.
Many of the above dogs see a quick succession of ownership and many are later found neglected, abused and abandoned.
The average age for a greyhound to retire from racing is about 3 ½ years after competing in approximately 50 races. Length of career, however, varies greatly and is frequently brought to an abrupt and sometimes horrific end through injury.
Research indicates a five figure number for injuries incurred annually on NGRC tracks, resulting in hundreds of greyhound’s PTS – many solely on economic grounds. It is one of the most sensitive subjects within greyhound racing and one that industry officials remain very tight-lipped about.
And the notion (perpetuated by industry officials) that racing dogs are lavished with care is, for all but national champions, ludicrous.
The words of the RSPCA provide an insight into their treatment: Greyhounds are “generally kennelled for 23 hours a day for their entire racing life, if not longer, usually two dogs per small kennel, sharing one bed. (And) to avoid fighting in cramped kennels, dogs are muzzled as a long-term solution.”
In all aspects of welfare the industry has failed dismally and since 1926 (when commercial greyhound racing began in Britain) hundreds of thousands of greyhounds have been killed.
To end the appalling exploitation and abuse of these beautiful and sensitive dogs, animal protection groups throughout Britain are calling on the public to boycott greyhound racing.
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It is high time that the racing industry was put onder animal welfare laws designed to futher the welfare of the racing greyhounds. self regulation is not working too manny horrific cases of neglect and abuse of racing greyhounds have surfaced it must be dealt with accordingly not a slap on the wrist but a lifetime ban on those who choose to let their racing greyhounds live isolated and in squalor. Do they deserve to live in darkness and sleep in their own faeces? They are high performance athletes and should be treated better. I have a five year old greyhound who has raced untill he was five years old. He first raced in Tralee Ireland then on the Owlerton track in Shefield and then sold to an owner in Odense where he raced untill I bought him December 2008. I love Tristan very much but detraining him is a long term project. He has never seen other breeds of dog he had never lived inside a house let alone a flat.I will work with him as long as it takes even if it is for the rest of his life he is a deeply loved familymember and this is his home. I think it would be a good idea if breeders and trainers were to introduce their pups to other breeds of dog simply because it will be easier for the individual family and the greyhound if they are fully socialised besides would it not make them even better at racing if they had better conditions and were more socialised? Most sincerly Lisbeth Mønsted Larsen Greyhound Action Denmark.
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why are people so against racing greyhounds.they are bread to run and they love it.it would be a shame for these beautiful animals to stop racing ok i agree that the system is not good and they have a short racing life.but we have had greyhounds and whippets since i was little and we have never had to put a dog down for lameness and we have kept most of our dogs the ones we could not keep we made sure they went to good homes and we keep every address.if they close the tracks people will just do it behind closed doors which could be even worse for the breed.it seams to be that the media only show the black side of racing and not the way alot of greyhound owners keep there dogs ours are kept in heated kennels and are walked twice a day and have an acre of field to run in as do alot of other greyhound owners.they also get the best food and regular boosters every year.which is more than i can say for a man who has two terriers that never get out of there 6 x 6 run and are lucky to get a walk.
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Hello Sky. It is not a question of media hype it is a question of factual evidence. Greyhounds were not bred for racing to begin with. racing diden´t begin before the introduction of the mechanical hare wich was in the latter half of the nineteenth century and in USA around 1926. These are the facts. Greyhounds love to run but do they love to run for their lives?. Agreed there are some good greyhound owners who love their greys and keep them after the end of their all too short racing careers wich is how it should be in the first place but far to manny greyhounds become surplus to requirements and are disposed of in various cruel ways.Sent to Spain= death sentence only very few greyhounds survive that. Have a look at Tia greyhound and lurcher rescue their wall of shame. I asure you this is not media hype but the sad reality of the racing industry. The story about my Tristan is the truth why would anyone make something like that up.Please remember that I love my three greyhounds and one whippet as familymembers they live with me in my flat and I asure you they lack no comfort or quality food ect ect.They are out as much as they need to be they are very clean in the house and let me know when they need to go out.I have had sighthounds since 1986. One of my greyhounds born in Spain out of two Irish exports was found starving to death in front of the main gates of the royal palace in Madrid Spain and no he is not a galgo but an ex racing greyhound. Seen in the light of these things I am sure you understand why a lot of us are sceptical about the wonders of greyhound racing and the way greyhounds are treated. There is an old saying that applies there is no smoke without a fire somewhere. Take care of your greyhounds and repay their loyal service with compassion and love they all deserve as much. Sincerly Lisbeth and the lads.
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