Animal welfare organisations respond to Senedd Petitions Committee's recommendation to phase out greyhound racing in Wales
In response to a petition calling for an end to greyhound racing in Wales which attracted more than 35,000 signatures*, the Senedd's Petitions Committee has reached a majority conclusion that greyhound racing should come to an end in Wales.
This recommendation has been welcomed by the animal welfare organisations leading the call for an end to greyhound racing in Wales.
In response to the news, Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, says:
"We're really pleased to hear that the Senedd's Petitions Committee supports our call for an end to greyhound racing in Wales. It's clear from the sheer number of signatures on this petition that people across Wales agree with us that it is not acceptable that so many dogs die, are put to sleep, or are severely injured in the name of entertainment.
"We hope that the Welsh Government listens 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 is not compromised."
Tim Doyle CEO Greyhound Rescue Wales, echoed this:
"With almost 30 years' experience of dealing with the issues caused by greyhound racing, Greyhound Rescue Wales are delighted to see this decision from the Petitions Committee. This cruel and outdated industry has no place in a modern Wales, and a modern Wales should play no part in an industry that results in the premature deaths of far too many dogs every year. This decision sends a clear message that the welfare of these beautiful animals must not come second to the interests of a very small minority who wish to exploit them for financial gain."
This is also a view shared by Chris Burghes, CEO of Blue Cross:
"The petition committee's recommendation for a ban on greyhound racing in Wales is a significant step towards the more compassionate future we need to protect dogs exploited for entertainment. Thousands of greyhounds are injured in the name of this 'sport' and we are committed to stopping their suffering. The time is now for the Welsh Government to act and take a strong stance against an industry that benefits from compromising welfare on a daily basis."
In response to the announcement, RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said:
"We're delighted that the Senedd's Petitions Committee is urging the Welsh Government to phase out greyhound racing in Wales.
"This was an important inquiry, and an opportunity to highlight the many welfare issues associated with greyhound racing which exist from birth through to death.
"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 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."
Vanessa Waddon, Transformation Manager at Hope Rescue cares for many greyhounds injured through racing and who tabled the petition with the Senedd's Petitions Committee says: "At Hope Rescue we have witnessed first-hand just how dangerous greyhound racing is, with dogs routinely injured or even killed. The industry also deliberately creates thousands of surplus dogs once they finish racing and expect animal welfare organisations to rescue their "wastage".
"We are delighted that the Petitions Committee agrees with us that greyhound racing has no place in a compassionate Wales that cares about animal welfare. Greyhound racing has lost its social licence to operate, and the public agrees that greyhounds are sentient beings who deserve full protection from harm. The Petitions Committee report sends a clear message to Welsh Government – and the greyhound racing industry – that it’s time to cut the chase and phase out greyhound racing in Wales."
In September this year, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and RSPCA put out a joint call for greyhound racing to come to an end. The three charities have joined forces with Greyhound Rescue Wales and Hope Rescue who share the significant welfare concerns for 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.
Internal policy reviews conducted by Blue Cross, RSPCA and Dogs Trust earlier this year found disjointed and ineffective regulation within the greyhound sector, a lack of transparency regarding industry practices, and concerns around the enforcement of regulatory standards.
The charities have all worked with the greyhound industry for a number of years to try to improve the welfare of dogs involved in the sport. While this has led to some improvements, the charities believe there are still significant welfare issues for racing greyhounds which have not, and cannot, be resolved. 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.
Some of the dogs used in UK racing are kept in poor, barren conditions, with little if any enrichment and fed a poor diet. The reviews also highlighted concerns around the general health of the dogs including the number and severity of injuries sustained during racing. 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".
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.
For more information or to arrange an interview contact:
Dogs Trust – Zoe Blackman / 07435 896240 / [email protected] or Rebecca Saunders / 07780 232718 / [email protected]
Blue Cross – Sarah Dickinson / 07917 132 698 [email protected] [email protected]
Greyhound Rescue Wales – Tim Doyle / 07831486169 [email protected]
Notes to Editors
*The petition 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.
About Blue Cross
2022 is the 125th anniversary of Blue Cross, originally ‘Our Dumb Friends League’. The charity formed to help vulnerable pets and their owners and we continue this work today across our rehoming, clinical, animal behaviour, pet bereavement support and educational work. We are striving to be able to help even more pets in the future live healthy lives in happy homes.
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.