CALLS FOR GREYHOUND RACING TO BE BANNED IN THE UK

Leading animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports has called for greyhound racing to be banned in the UK after the governing body for the industry published its annual figures showing the scale of injuries and deaths.

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) figures for 2022 showed 4,354 injuries sustained during races with 306 deaths among greyhounds used for racing, and 99 fatalities at trackside.

Will Morton, head of public affairs at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “The greyhound racing industry is inherently dangerous and the high number of injuries and deaths highlight why the ‘sport’ needs to be phased out as quickly as possible and banned.

“Greyhounds are losing their lives or being maimed at tracks up and down the country in order to generate profits for the gambling industry and people’s entertainment– this sacrifice is cruel and flies in the face of animal welfare.”

Although deaths have reduced slightly since last year, the injury rates remain consistent.

Questions are being increasingly asked around the country about the safety of greyhound racing with calls for bans in Wales and Scotland.

In Scotland, the League has joined eight other animal welfare organisations in a campaign called ‘Unbound the Greyhound’ calling on the Scottish Government to end greyhound racing.

In Wales, the government is set to ask the Welsh public for their views on banning greyhound racing following a petition signed by 35,000 people calling for an end to the ‘sport’.

Trudy Baker, coordinator of Greyt Exploitations, a greyhound protection group, said: "Year on year, the greyhound industry repeatedly fails to honour its commitment to reduce injuries. In fact, in terms of percentages, injuries have increased from 1.16% in 2018 to 1.20% this year.

“The dangerous configuration of tracks – tight bends and long fast straights – which damage the dog’s musculoskeletal system will always result in injuries and the unnecessary suffering of thousands of greyhounds every year."

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For more information or interview requests please contact the League Against Cruel Sports Press Office on 07496 496454 (24hrs) or email pressoffice@league.org.uk

The League Against Cruel Sports is Britain's leading animal charity that works to stop animals being persecuted, abused and killed for sport. The League was instrumental in helping bring about the landmark Hunting Act 2004 and the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021. We carry out investigations to expose law-breaking and cruelty to animals and campaign for stronger animal protection laws and penalties. We work to change attitudes and behaviour through education and manage wildlife reserves. Find out more about our work at www.league.org.uk. Registered charity in England and Wales (no.1095234) and Scotland (no.SC045533).