Calls for greyhound racing ban after death toll rises

The number of greyhounds dying at racetracks rose last year for the first time since records began six years ago, prompting calls for the sport to be banned.

- JANE DALTON

In total, 109 dogs died at the UK’s 20 official tracks, according to figures from the sport’s regulator, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB).

And 427 died or were put down away from racetracks – a one-year rise from 5.5 per cent to 7.2 per cent of the racing population – for reasons including treatment costs, vets’ advice, or no home being found for them.

When the board began recording official tallies in 2017, some 257 greyhounds died at runs in one year, its statistics show. For each of the following five years, the death toll dropped, reaching 99 in 2022, before rising again last year.

Over the five years, the proportion of deaths among dogs at tracks fell from 0.06 per cent to 0.03 per cent. Last year’s deaths still represented 0.03 per cent. There were 4,238 injuries recorded, a slight drop on most years except 2020.

Leading animal-welfare organisations the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) and the Cut the Chase Coalition – which includes Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and the RSPCA – both renewed calls for greyhound racing to be banned.