Racing injury agony over for greyhound Rascal

A broken hock on the race track spelled the end of Rascal’s career – left in agonising pain, the future looked uncertain for the ex-racer.

Now with the help of Blue Cross, the friendly greyhound has found a new family home giving him the happy life every pet deserves.

Loafing on the sofa, walks in the countryside, weekend cuddles – these are part and parcel of life for most pet dogs.

But after a life on the racetrack, four-year-old Rascal is having to learn just what a loving family home means.

Bred for commercial stadium racing, Rascal’s career took him to tracks across the south of England from Kent to Oxfordshire.

Rascal was riding high, winning and placing in many of his 68 competitive races. Clocking up 11 first place wins and 10 second placings made him valuable.

Greyhound racing injury

But in 2022, at the age of three, disaster struck when Rascal broke his hock.

This type of agonising fracture is not unusual for racing greyhounds, as they are exposed to an inherent risk of death or injury due to their bodies being forced to move at pace around the bends of oval tracks.

This puts extremely high pressure on their limbs, and increases the likelihood of fatal collisions. 

Although Rascal’s racing kennel conditions are uncertain, he also has a scar on his back left foot from another injury.

No longer able to race and make money, Rascal was abandoned by his owner and ended up at an independent greyhound rescue charity.

The bumps in the road continued though, as that volunteer-led charity was forced to close earlier this year.

But Rascal got a second chance, as Blue Cross was able to take him in to continue his rehabilitation. 

Intensive vet care

Vet care was first on the list, with routine flea and worm treatment, as well as more intensive clinical care needed for an inflammation on Rascal’s elbow.

And although Rascal came to the centre with his brother Dizzy, sadly his extensive health conditions including a fungal nasal condition meant he needed to be put to sleep.

Rascal was an immediate hit with the team at our Suffolk rehoming centre, his friendly personality shining through, despite his former troubles.

“He was an angel from day one,” explains Charles White, Suffolk Centre Manager. “Rascal was so confident and affectionate, he’d jump all over you.”

And contrary to the stereotype of greyhounds needing to be on the go all the time, they actually sleep for up to 18 hours a day, are very gentle and don’t need long walks, so make ideal pet companions.

The ex-racer has a bright future ahead, with Rascal already learning about pet life with his new family.

“Rascal’s broken hock shows up occasionally with a bit of stiffness but he’s happy and loving life,” adds Charles.