Greyhound Racing

The greyhound racing industry conceals many things from the unsuspecting public. The fate for greyhounds is a very disturbing one. Thousands are destroyed, tortured and abused every year.

The racing industry paints a distorted picture that greyhound racing is wonderful and the dogs are well cared for, but in reality the dog's health isn't the priority, money is. Racing dogs are often kept in appalling conditions, some in windowless buildings/kennels and many get pressure sores from being left to lie on cold concrete floors day in day out. Lots of the greyhounds won't be fed a proper diet and are given drugs like cocaine, in their food, to enhance their performance during a race.

Thousands of dogs are injured on the track every year; this can include torn muscles, strains and broken toes. But usually these injuries are not treated and the dogs are raced again or killed if they can no longer run fast enough.

Approximately 30,000 Greyhounds are bred each year in the UK and Ireland, This is due to the demands of the racing industry and wanting to make as much money as they can by any means they can. They mass breed in hope that a few "top dogs" will be produced.

The ones deemed good enough for 'racing standard' are chosen, and the rest will be killed. Thousands of young dogs are killed before they even make it to the track and many more are abandoned or killed before they reach two years old if they don't trial well. Greyhounds can sometimes be raced until they are five, but for the majority their racing career is over by the age of 2-3, if they become too slow they are discarded. Some are passed to others who will race them on flapping tracks, which are unlicensed and unsupervised.

They are frequently killed inhumanely to save on costs, this can include shooting, drowning, burning, poisoning and hanging, and often their ears are cut off to prevent identification, by the tattoos in the ears which could lead to the identification of the owner.

Some are just abandoned and if lucky enough will be found and end up in already over run pounds and rescue centres. Many unwanted dogs are sent to Spain and used for hunting and coursing. Some are also sent to labs and used for vivisection.

The story of Rusty the greyhound found tortured on a Welsh mountain is just one of many reports that highlight the abuse caused by the Greyhound racing industry.

Andrew Gough was paid £10 to dispose of Rusty who could no longer race. He shot him, and cut off his ears to prevent identification, But the shot failed to kill him, the dog was dumped on Fochriw Mountain.

Rusty was found still alive 2 days later by a dog walker, his injuries were so severe he had to be put down. Andrew Gough was convicted and jailed for 6 months for the torture of the racing dog. Rusty's toe injury cost him his life.

• 25,000-30,000 are bred every year in UK and Ireland
• Around 90% of dogs racing on British tracks are Irish bred
• Over 10,000 killed every year
• Greyhounds can be raced until they are 5, but many are disposed of at a much earlier age
• Only 20,000 make it to the track

This must stop now and together we can bring this to an end. Boycott greyhound racing, don't bet on it and encourage others to do the same. By signing our petition you can show that you too believe that this should come to an end. You could help save their lives.

Awareness article produced by and for Sighthounds Online. All content and images © Sighthounds Online