Greyhound racing reaching its finish line in Wales, say animal charities after debate in Senedd
The UK's largest animal welfare charities have welcomed further support from Members of the Senedd for their joint call to bring greyhound racing to an end in Wales.
During a debate in the Senedd today, Wednesday 8 March 2023, MS including Jack Sargeant MS, Luke Fletcher MS and Jane Dodds MS echoed calls from Dogs Trust, RSPCA Cymru, Blue Cross, Greyhound Rescue Wales and Hope Rescue to bring the greyhound racing to an end as quickly as possible and stop the entirely preventable injuries and deaths of dogs involved in racing in Wales.
This follows a report from the Senedd's Petitions Committee, in which a majority of Committee Members announced support for greyhound racing coming to an end in Wales*.
Jack Sargeant MS, Chair of the Senedd Petitions Committee said: "As a committee we carried out an inquiry involving all stakeholders and the evidence was overwhelmingly in favour of a ban. We called our report The Final Bend because we think this 'sport' is on its last lap.
"Today was an opportunity to debate that evidence and I look forward to the forthcoming Welsh Government consultation which includes a question to considering a phased end to greyhound racing in Wales.
"I am really grateful to Hope Rescue for bringing forward this petition and have worked so hard throughout the process. This is another example of the real difference the petitions process can make."
In September 2022, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and RSPCA joined forces to call for greyhound racing to end in Wales. The three charities, along with Greyhound Rescue Wales and Hope Rescue, share concerns for the welfare of racing greyhounds at every stage of their lives, and want to see an end to the unnecessary and completely preventable deaths of hundreds of dogs every year.
Last year, comprehensive internal reviews conducted by Dogs Trust, RSPCA and Blue Cross found disjointed and ineffective oversight within the greyhound sector, a lack of transparency regarding industry practices, and concerns around the enforcement of regulatory standards.
These reviews also found that some dogs used in UK racing are kept in poor, barren conditions, with little if any enrichment and fed a poor diet, and highlighted concerns around the general health of the dogs. There are also serious issues around the racing of greyhounds in extreme weather and the number of puppies that are unaccounted for between birth and racing registrations, so often referred to by the sector as the "wastage".
Further to this, the reviews by Dogs Trust, RSPCA and Blue Cross highlighted that greyhound racing is inherently dangerous for the dogs involved. Running at speed around oval tracks causes significant injury to many dogs, and in some cases the injuries are so severe that it is necessary to euthanise the dog.
The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB)** governs licensed greyhound racing in Great Britain. Data from GBGB show that over 2,000 greyhounds died or were put to sleep and nearly 18,000 injuries were recorded from greyhound racing between 2018 and 2021. The Valley greyhound track at Ystrad Mynach is an independent track, not governed by GBGB. Therefore, any dogs that have died, been put to sleep or were injured at that track are not included in these figures. However, animal charities working in the area have seen first-hand the types of horrific injuries faced by dogs competing at The Valley.
In response to today's debate in the Senedd on the future of greyhound racing in Wales, Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, says:
"We're delighted to hear such strong support from within the Senedd that greyhound racing should come to an end in Wales. This comes just a few weeks after the Petitions Committee announced its support for an end to the sport and echoes the calls of thousands of people across Wales.
"It's completely unacceptable that so many dogs are injured or killed every year in the name of entertainment. For those dogs that are fortunate enough not to be seriously injured, many instead face being housed in poor conditions, with little or no enrichment, and are raced in extreme weather conditions that can be incredibly damaging to their health.
"We hope the Welsh Government continues to listen to the calls from animal welfare organisations and thousands of people across Wales and brings this industry to an end as quickly as possible. We remain committed to working collaboratively with the industry and other stakeholders to ensure the welfare of dogs currently involved in racing is not compromised."
RSPCA Chief Executive Chris Sherwood said:
"It's fantastic to see this debate underline the strength of support across the Senedd chamber for not only improving greyhound welfare, but for stopping greyhound racing in Wales altogether.
"The Petitions Committee inquiry was so important - highlighting the countless welfare issues associated with greyhound racing which exist from birth through to death. The huge public support for the petition, and the work of so many charities on this issue, reminds us what we can achieve together for animal welfare. Now, Wales has a real opportunity to send a statement, and protect these dogs from this dangerous sport once and for all.
"With no vet at the track, and no requirement to publish the number of injuries or deaths, it's hard to estimate the true scale of welfare problems in Wales currently caused by greyhound racing - but so long as this sport continues, dogs are needlessly placed at serious risk of painful injuries and death.
"Wales is one of only ten countries in the world where commercial greyhound racing remains. It’s time for Wales to cut the chase on greyhound racing, and consign this so-called sport to the history books."
Chris Burghes, Chief Executive of Blue Cross, said:
"Cross party support in the Senedd today for a ban on greyhound racing in Wales clearly demonstrates this is a dying industry that cannot be defended in the name of tradition, or by empty promises from the industry to improve welfare.
"Blue Cross is clear that there is no place in modern society for greyhound racing and the serious injuries and deaths that ensue in the name of 'sport'. Due to the lack of transparency and reporting from the one independent track in Wales we can only guess the true numbers of dogs who suffer on and off track and from their cradle to grave.
"We were pleased to hear the Minister commit to consulting on a ban and will continue to set out our evidence-based arguments which will demonstrate why greyhound racing has truly reached its finish line.
"The Welsh government has listened to the evidence from a wealth of experts in the animal welfare sector and has a unique opportunity here to establish that in 2023 scrutiny will be taken to ensure no more dogs suffer in the name of entertainment. Now is the time to cut the chase and protect the welfare of all racing greyhounds in Wales by bringing an end to the sport."
To show your support for an end to greyhound racing in Wales, email your Member of the Senedd via the Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and RSPCA websites and ask them to take action and #CutTheChase.
*A petition calling on an end to greyhound racing in Wales was submitted by Hope Rescue and opened in September 2021. It collected 35,101 signatures from all corners of the world. 18,707 of these were from Wales. It closed on 1 March 2022.
**The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) is the organisation that governs licensed greyhound racing in Great Britain. It is a self-regulating organisation, responsible for 21 tracks around the UK. Data taken from GBGB's Injury and Retirement Data
About Dogs Trust
Dogs Trust is the UK's largest dog welfare charity and normally cares for around 14,000 dogs across its network of 21 rehoming centres in the UK and one in Dublin. Dogs Trust has a non-destruction policy and will never put a healthy dog to sleep. The charity, which is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year, also focuses its efforts on understanding dogs and sharing that knowledge with the wider public to prevent problem behaviours that can result in relinquishment or abandonment. We are working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction.
About RSPCA
The RSPCA is the largest and oldest welfare charity in the UK, and rescues tens of thousands of animals every year across England and Wales. Our rescuers work 365 days a year to respond to animal welfare emergencies, rescue animals in need, investigate reports of cruelty, and rehabilitate and rehome all animals from cats, dogs and other pets, to horses, farm animals, and exotic pets. We also work to help the public improve animal welfare, educate society on how to help animals, and lobby and campaign for change to work towards creating a world that is kinder to animals. Support the RSPCA by donating online at www.rspca.org.uk/give.
About Blue Cross
Blue Cross is a national charity that has been helping sick, injured and homeless pets since 1897. Every month we help thousands of pets and their people by providing veterinary care, expert behaviour advice and find homeless pets loving families. We also offer education for future generations plus pet bereavement support for those who have lost their beloved pet companion. We love the ways that pets can make such an amazing difference to the people they live with, and we offer lifelong support and advice to help that unique relationship thrive. With your support we can give back to more pets and their families who need our help. Pets change lives. We change theirs.
About Greyhound Rescue Wales
Greyhound Rescue Wales is the rescue and rehoming charity for greyhounds and lurchers in Wales. From a small group of volunteers in 1993, the charity has grown significantly over its history and now finds a greyhound a new home almost every 3 days. We work for a Wales without greyhound racing, where every greyhound and lurcher has a home and receives the best possible care. With almost 30 years' experience in greyhound welfare, we are proud advocates for the breed and work hard to give them a voice. We also work to raise awareness of greyhounds as pets and dispel the many myths that are often heard about their breeding, racing and suitability for pet life.
