Greyhounds

Policy: The racing industry and registered owner/keeper of a greyhound should take full responsibility for the physical and mental well being of their greyhound and should do so with full regard to the dog’s future welfare.

Background:  The welfare of racing greyhounds has been a concern for many years before, during and after their racing careers.  In excess of 10,000 dogs a year leave the racing industry and the fate of many of them is unclear.  There is also significant wastage of puppies that never enter racing.

There are also concerns about the conditions in which dogs are kept during their racing life.  Many are kept in very large training establishments with limited social contact and environmental enrichment.

The racing industry, and in particular the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), recognise they have a responsibility to develop and support best practice to safeguard the welfare of the racing greyhound during its lifetime. Accordingly, they are working closely with the UK’s major animal welfare organisations.

DEFRA intend to introduce Regulations on greyhound racing in 2010 and the devolved administrations are likely to do so as well.  PAC believes that the Regulations should enforce best practice in the whole greyhound industry, not just the sector regulated by the GBGB.