the state of greyhound racing in great britiain
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A League Against Cruel Sports and GREY2K USA Worldwide report. For more information, visit http://www.league.org.uk/news-and-opinion/press-releases/2014/oct/greyhound-industry-must-reform-or-face-banTRANSCRIPT
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The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain
A mandate for change
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Annette Crosbie Annette Crosbie OBE, League Vice President
NearlyfiveyearsaftertheintroductionoftheWelfare ofRacingGreyhoundRegulations2010,greyhound racingisstillaself-regulatinggamblingbusinessthat dependsontheuncontrolledbreedingandunaccountable disappearanceofthousandsofdogseveryyear;asituation thatisunacceptable,indefensibleandmustchange.
Marc Abraham BVM&S, MRCVS
Mostpeoplesimplydontrealisetheintensesuffe
ring
enduredbyracinggreyhounds.Bredforspeed,stre
ngth,
andstaminatheheathandwelfareoftheseanimalsi
s
repeatedlycompromisedbythiscruelindustry.Raci
ng
dogssufferwithinjuredtoes,tornmuscles,andstrain
ed
tendons,allresultinginpainfularthriticjoints.
Thesedogsarenotbelovedpet
companionanimals-theyare
commodities-sadlyonlyused
toprovideprofitfortheirowners.
Greyhoundscantypicallylivefor
approximately14years,however
thefateofaracinggreyhound
isoftensealedatjustthreeor
fouryearsofagewhenheor
shewillbedisposedofafter
havingservedtheirpurpose.
Themassivecrueltyandexploitation
surroundingthisindustryneeds
tobeexposedanderadicated.
Emma Milne BVSc, MRCVSIhavelongbelievedthatanimalsshould notbeusedforentertainmentandwouldprefertoseegreyhoundracingstopped altogether.Allthetimeitispermissible Ifullysupportalleffortstoimprovethewelfareofthedogsbeingproduced,usedandbredfromin thenameofthesport. Itistimetheindustry wastrulyaccountable forthethousandsofanimalsinitscare.
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ContentsForeword 4
Executive Summary 6
Greyhoundsufferingandbrokenpromises 6
Ourgreyhoundmanifesto 7
Report
1 Introduction 81.1 Whatisgreyhoundracing 8
1.2 Whyisitofwelfareconcern? 8
2 A dark past 102.1 Caninekillingfieldsuncoveredin
Seaham,CoDurham 10
2.2 APGAWReport 11
2.3 DonoghueReport 12
2.4 TheWelfareofRacingGreyhounds Regulations2010 13
3 A murky present 143.1 DognumbersinBritain 14
3.2 DogsimportedfromIreland 15
3.3 Thelifeofaracinggreyhound 15
3.3.1 Kennelconditionsandinspections 16
3.3.2 Racingandinjuryrisk 20
3.3.3 Injurytype,severityandprevalence 22
3.3.4 Drugs 24
3.4 Unwantedgreyhounds 26
3.4.1 Estimatednumbers 26
3.4.2 Greyhoundadoption 27
3.4.3 Euthanasia 28
3.4.4 Sellingdogsforresearch and dissection 29
3.5 Failureofself-regulation 30
4 What Future? 4.1 DeclineoftheBritishgreyhound
racing industry 32
4.2 Thewayforward 33
References 34
Acknowledgements 38
PublishedbyLeagueAgainstCruelSports,2014.Contentsofthisreportcanbereproducedifcredited.Pleasecall01483524250foradvice.
The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change 3
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Foreword
ThisreportongreyhoundracinginGreatBritainisajointproductof theLeagueAgainstCruelSportsandGREY2KUSAWorldwide.Bothorganisationsbelievethatcommercialgreyhoundracingiscruelandinhumaneand,ascurrentlypractised,hasnoplaceinBritishsociety.
Acrosstheglobe,thehumaneproblemsofalargelyunregulated dogracingindustryhavenowbeenexposed,andgovernmentsare respondingwithaffirmativeaction,includingoutrightprohibitions.
IntheUnitedStatestheactivityisnowillegalinthirty-nineoffiftystates.CountriessuchasSouthAfricaandJamaicahaverefusedtolegalise itinthefirstplace.ItisourhopethatParliamentwillstudythisactivity inthecontextofitsworldwidedecline.
AlthoughofficialcritiquesofgreyhoundracingintheUKhavebeen issuedinthepast,itappearsthatlittletonothinghasactuallychangedwithintheindustry.Greyhoundscontinuetosufferneedlesslywhile concernsovertheirwelfareremainlargelyignored.
Ourjointreportalsostandsapartfrompastresearchasitcontainsmorerecentdataandusesdatanotpreviouslyanalysed,suchasdisciplinaryrulingsandtheuseofgreyhoundsbypublicuniversities.
ThisisalsothefirstcomprehensivereportongreyhoundracingintheUnitedKingdomfromahumaneperspective.
Researchforthisreportwasconductedoveratwenty-monthperiod, fromOctober2012untilMay2014.Informationwascollectedthroughmultipleavenues,includingareviewofexistingreportsongreyhound racing,publicinformationrequestssubmittedtogovernmentagenciesanduniversities,industrywebsitesandnewsstories.
InjurydataisnotpubliclyavailablefromtheGreyhoundBoardof GreatBritain,soinformationwasinsteadcollectedfromthewebsites andblogsofUKgreyhoundtrainers,aswellasonindustryforums, websites,andinanindustrynewspaper.
Atotalof24ofthesesiteswerelocatedandsearched,goingback to2006,tofindreferencestoracinggreyhoundinjuries.Finally, stakeholderswerecontactedandaskediftheycouldprovideany usefuldataforthereport.
Oncedatawascollectedandorganised,keyareasofwelfare concernemerged.
Christine A. Dorchak, Esq. President GREY2K USA Worldwide
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The League Against Cruel Sports exists to expose and end the cruelty inflicted on animals in the name of sport.
ThisreportaimstodothatbyrevealingthelevelofcrueltyandsufferingstillenduredbygreyhoundsusedforracinginBritaineightyearsonfromadamningexposandindustrypromisesoftighterregulation andcallingonParliamentarianstofulfiltheircommitmenttosafeguardinggreyhoundwelfarefromthecradletothegrave.
Thiswillnotbeeasyreadingforthosewhocareaboutdogsandknowwhatfaithfulcompanionstheycanbe,formostracinggreyhoundsareviewedascommoditieswhoseusefulnessendswhentheynolongerbringinprizemoney,eitherthroughcareer-endinginjuriesornaturaldecline.
Afterthattheirlifecangooneoftwoways:theluckyonesareadoptedintolovinghomesandenjoythecreaturecomfortsthateverydog deserves.Therestandnooneknowshowmanydogsthatcurrently isareeitherkilled,byavetiftheyarefortunate,orshippedtoIrelandwhereunwantedgreyhoundsarestillsoldfordissection.
Thisneedlesskillingmuststop.
Ihopethatyouwillfindthisreportchallengingandjoinourcampaign toendthecrueltyinflictedongreyhoundsinthenameofsport.
Iain Blake-Lawson Chair League Against Cruel Sports
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Executive Summary
Greyhound suffering and broken promises
AlmostadecadeagogreyhoundracinginGreatBritainwasreelingfrompublicexposureofitscallouscrueltytogreyhounds.Investigationsbynewspapersandanimalwelfareorganisationshadshownthedreadfullivesofgreyhoundsfrombirthtoanoftenearlydeath,their bodiesbeingdumpedinmassgraves.
Itwasclearthatcruelty,drugabuse,injury,neglect andkillingwererifeingreyhoundracing.
Theracingcommunitypromisedthepublicand Parliamentthattheywouldhealthemselves.They werebelieved.Parliamentagreedself-regulationwithinastatutoryframeworkwasthebestwaytocleanupthesport.Tothisend,theGreyhoundBoardofGreatBritainwassetupbythesporttoimposesomedecencyanddisciplineandParliamentgaveaframeworkthroughaStatutoryInstrumentwithinwhichtheyhadtooperate.
Intheinterveningyearshavethingsimprovedfor greyhounds?No.Shroudedinsecrecy,greyhoundscontinuetocomelastintheracewithtrainers,owners,bookmakersandpunters.Thisreportshowsthatthe lifeofagreyhoundisstillfilledwithabuse,neglectandearlydeath.
Greyhoundpromotershavenotkepttheirpromisetocarefortheirdogs.Theyhaveshownthattheyarenotcapableofhealingthemselves.Thiscannotcontinue.
Parliamenthasanopportunity,throughareview ofthestatutoryframeworkforself-regulation,tostrengthenprotectionforgreyhoundsandend thesecrecysurroundinggreyhoundracing.
Itisnotpossibletohaveeffectiveself-regulationwithouttransparencyandindependentscrutiny.
Wearecallingforfundamentalchangestoindustry practice,enforcedthroughtighterlegislation.
Now is the time for action
Wearecertainthatthemajorityofthepublicand Parliamentariansfinditunacceptablethatgreyhoundscontinuetosuffercrueltyandneglectjusttoprovidesomesportandgambling.Ifgreyhoundracingisto continueinthiscountryitmustseriously,andina transparentway,endmistreatmentofgreyhounds.
Wewillworkinpartnershipwithpeopleandorganisations thathaveazerotolerancetowardscruelty,includingthosewithinthesport.
However,thelasteightyearshaveshownthat greyhoundracingbyitselfcannotstoptheunacceptablesufferingofgreyhounds.Itistimetostrengthenthe statutoryframeworkandintroduceindependentscrutiny.
Joe Duckworth, Chief Executive League Against Cruel Sports
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Our greyhound manifesto
Five year review by Parliament in public ThefiveyearreviewoftheStatutoryInstrumentshouldbeopentothepublicwiththepowerof
Parliamenttodirectorganisationstodiscloseinformation.ASelectCommitteereviewofthe effectivenessofthecurrentgovernancearrangementscouldcallwitnessesfromgreyhoundracing andanimalwelfareorganisations.Itcouldjudgetheeffectivenessofself-regulationbyhowoutcomeshavechangedforgreyhoundssince2010andmakerecommendationstoGovernmentonstrengtheningthecurrentarrangements.
Independent greyhound welfare regulation Anindependentwelfareregulatorybodythatoverseesallgreyhoundracing(bothlicencedand
independent)andincludesrepresentativesfromanimalwelfareorganisations.
Welfare transparency Greyhoundracingshouldberequiredbylawtodiscloseinformationongreyhoundwelfare,atnational
andtracklevel,tothepublicandanindependentregulatoronaquarterlybasis.Itshouldasaminimumincludebreeding,import/exportofdogs,transport,kennelling,racing,injuries,retirement,rehomingandeuthanasia.Thereshouldbefullpublicdisclosureofallregulatoryandenforcementactivitywithintheindustry.
Drugs controls Theuseoftestosteronetosuppressoestrus,andanabolicsteroids,shouldbeprohibited.
Track curbs Amoratoriumonnewtracksopening,oroldtracksreopening,sothedeclineoftheindustrycan
bemanagedinsuchawaythatgreyhoundwelfareisnotcompromised.
Greyhound passports Asystemthatallowsthetrackingofeverydogfrombirthsothattheenigmaofthethousands
ofmissingdogscanbeended.
Rehoming requirements Astatutoryrequirementfortracks,trainersandownerstorehomeallgreyhoundsbredforracing.
Breeding controls TheintroductionofalicensingregimeforBritishbreederstogetherwithjointinitiativesbetween
DepartmentforEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairs(DEFRA)andthedevolvednationsofthe UnitedKingdomandIrishgovernmenttotackleissuesofoverbreedingandthetradeingreyhounds.
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1 Introduction 1.1 What is greyhound racing?
CommercialgreyhoundracingbeganinBritainin1926 withtheopeningofthefirstdedicatedgreyhoundstadium, BelleVue,inGreaterManchester1.Incommercialraces greyhoundschaseamechanicallurenormallyastuffed toyorawindsock2aroundacirculartrackinavarietyof distancecategories(e.g.225msprint,1kmmarathon)3.
Twodifferenttypesofcommercialracingtakeplacein Britain(seemapp9)
Regulated
Tracksarelicensedbytheindustrysgoverningbody,currentlytheGreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain(GBGB),andracestakeplaceundertheGBGBsRulesofRacing.
ThisisthepredominantforminBritainwith24tracks currentlylicensedbytheGBGB4.
Independent
FlappingtracksarenotlicensedbyGBGBandthereforedonotneedtoabidebythesamelicensingrequirementsandRulesofRacing.
Therearecurrentlynineindependenttracks operating in Britain5.
1.2 Why is it of welfare concern?
Greyhoundracing,ascurrentlypractised,iscrueland inhumane.Countlessdogssufferterribleinjuriesandsomedieasaresultofthisantiquatedactivity.Despitemediaexpossofcrueltyandkilling,twodamningreportsontheindustryandanewsetofwelfareregulations,it isstillnotpossibletoaccuratelyassessthewelfareofracinggreyhoundsinBritainduetothesecretivenatureofitsself-regulation(seesection2).
Theinformationthatisavailablesuggeststhatthereis muchsufferinginvolvedinBritishgreyhoundracing today(seesection3).
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Regulated tracks
Independent tracks
Regulated & Independent Tracks in Great Britain
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2 A dark past 2.1 Canine killing fields
uncovered in Seaham, Co Durham
InJuly2006,theSundayTimesexposedadarkandshockingsecretthatthegreyhoundracingindustryhadkeptformanyyears:more than 10,000 healthy but unwanted greyhounds had been shot with a bolt gun and buried in a back garden in Seaham, Co Durham, over a period of 15 years6.
Atthetimeoftheexpos,whichwassparkedbyanindustrywhistle-blower,thisunofficialabattoirand graveyardwasservicinglicensedgreyhoundtrainers andkillingdogsthatwereusedintelevisedraces7.Inotherwords,itwaspartandparcelofthecommercialgreyhoundracingindustry;helpingtodisposeofsomeofthe12,000dogsthatdisappearedfromtheindustryeveryyear8.
AccordingtotheChairmanoftheindustrysgoverningbody,thentheBritishGreyhoundRacingBoard(BGRB),theprospectthatthereweresimilaroperationsthatwereyettobeuncoveredwasveryplausible9.
TheSundayTimesrevelationssparkedanational outcryalongwithdemandsforagovernmentinquiry10.ThesecallswereansweredinAugust2006whenthecross-partyAssociateParliamentaryGroupforAnimalWelfare(APGAW)launchedaninquiryintothewelfareissuessurroundingracinggreyhoundsinEngland11.Shortlyaftertheparliamentaryinquirybegan,the greyhoundindustrysetupitsowninquiryintoregulationoftheindustrywhichwaschairedbyLordDonoughue ofAshton12.
Bothbodiespublishedreportsin2007callingontheindustrytomakechangestohelpsafeguarddogwelfare.
2.2 APGAW report
TheAPGAWreport,publishedinMay2007,concludedthattheeventsuncoveredatSeahamrepresented a major failing for the regulation of the greyhound industry andthatit must be a matter of extreme priority for the industry to improve its tracking of dogs.Thereportmadenumerousrecommendationsfor improvinggreyhoundwelfareandencouragedthese tobeincorporatedinforthcominglegislation (seeboxtoright).
TheLeaguewelcomedthereportandits recommendationswhichincludedmeasuresto reducethenumberofunwanteddogs,improveliving andtransportconditionsforracinggreyhoundsandreduceinjuryratesbelievingthatfullimplementationwouldleadtosignificantimprovementsingreyhoundwelfare.
DavidSmith,theownerofthepropertywherethemass greyhoundgravewasfound, outsidehishomeinSeaton withtwodeadgreyhounds.
Photo:PaulKingston(2006)
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Summary of recommendations made by the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare
in its 2007 inquiry into the welfare issues surrounding racing greyhounds.
Thereareenormousgapsinindustryrecordsofnumberofdogs.Thesinglebiggestmeasure[toimprovewelfare]istofindasystemwhichmatchesthenumberofdogsallowedintotheindustrywiththenumbersthatcanberehomedattheendoftheirracingcareer.
Intheabsenceofevidencetothecontrary,itmustbeassumedthatavastnumberofdogsaredestroyedeveryyear.Euthanasiashouldbealastresort.Alltracks,asaconditionoftheirlicence,shouldbe requiredtorunanassociateddogrehomingscheme.Additionally,greyhoundregistrationfeesshould besignificantlyincreasedtohelpfundtheRetiredGreyhoundTrustandotherrehomingcharities.
Theregulatorybodyshouldbeenabledtoimposeheavysanctionsontrainersandownerswhodo notregistertheirgreyhoundsretirement.Secondarylegislationshouldmakeitillegalforaregistered greyhoundtobeputdownbyanyoneotherthanavet.
Measuresneedtobetakenasamatterofurgencytoreducethedemandforgreyhoundpups.Tothatend,allbreedersandtheirpremisesshouldberegistered,ifnotlicensed,bytheindustrysregulatorybodyandberegularlyinspected.As75%ofBritainsracinggreyhoundsarebredinIreland,theDepartmentforEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairs(DEFRA)shouldinitiatejointactionwithIrishauthoritiestotackleover-breedingandtransportofgreyhounds.
Theindustryhasanextremelypoorrecordatrecording,collatingandreportinginjurydata.Theyshouldberequiredbylawtorecordandpublishallinjuriesonacentraldatabaseandtheregulatorybodyshouldpublishanannualreportwiththreeyearrollingaveragesforinjuryincidenceatnamedtracks.
Thewholeindustry(includingregulatedandindependenttracks)shouldberegulatedbyabroadenedindependentbodythatincludesrepresentativesfromindependenttracks,vets,thecurrentregulatorybodyandasignificantnumberofrepresentativesfromanimalwelfareorganisations.Thereportspecificallystatesthattheydo not believe that regulation by local authorities would be effective.
Surface,designanddimensionoftrackscouldhaveasignificantimpactondogwelfareandmore researchneedstobeconductedinthisarea.Inthemeantime,tracksshouldbemaintainedtothe bestpossiblestandard.
Asaconditionoftrackandtrainerlicensing,allstaffshouldhavewelfaretraining.Reputable welfaregroupsshouldhaveaccesstotracksandattendracedays.
Allgreyhoundsshouldbeabletostandupatfullheightandturnaroundwhenevertransported.
Allbookmakersshouldberequiredtocontribute[financially]togreyhoundwelfare.
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2.3 Donoghue Report
Theindustrycommissionedreport,ledbyLord Donoghue,waspublishedinNovember2007. Althoughthereportfocusedprimarilyonregulationof thegreyhoundindustryandnotondogwelfare,itdidmakerecommendationsonbreeding,trackingand retirementofgreyhounds,aswellaspublicationof injurydata,whichwerein-linewiththosemadeby theAPGAW(seep11).
LordDonoghuesreportdidfallshortoftheAPGAWreportinonekeyaspectregulation.Indirect contradictiontotheAPGAW,itstatedthatanimal welfareorganisationshavenoroletoplayinregulationoftheindustryandshouldnotberepresentedinany newregulatorybody.Instead,itrecommendedthattheexistinggoverningandregulatorybodies(British GreyhoundRacingBoardandNationalGreyhound RacingClub)beunifiedunderthenameGreyhound
RacingBoardofGreatBritain (GBGB)andthatmostofthe existingstaffbeemployedin thenewstructure.Ratherthan offeringgreaterregulatory independence,thismerger wouldmakethebodyresponsible forpromotinggreyhoundracing, andtheonetaskedwithregulating it,oneandthesame.
Thereportalsorecommended thattracksberegulatedthrough ahybridsystem,withtheGBGB licensingregulatedtracksandlocal authoritiesenforcingregulationsat independenttracksasystemthat theAPGAWstatedwouldbeineffective.
Key welfare recommendations in Lord Donoghues 2007 review of greyhound racing in Great Britain.
Allbreedersshouldbelicensedbytheregulatorandsubjecttoveterinarysupervision.Thereshould berapidnegotiationbetweenBritishandIrishgovernmentsonbreedingandtransportissues.
Significantimprovementsbemadeintrackingandtracingofdogs,includingregisteringalldogswhentheyareearmarked(ratherthanwhentheystartracing),maintainingrecordsofalldogmovements andamandatoryrequirementforownerstode-registertheirdogswhentheyretirefromracingand providedetailsofwhathashappenedtothem.
Alldoginjuriesshouldberecordedonacomprehensivecentraldatabaseandinjurystatisticsshould bepublishedregularly.However,unliketheAPGAW,thisreportstatedpublicationcouldbedone anonymously(withoutnamingtracks).
Itshouldbeaconditionoftracklicencesthattheyoperateanefficientdogrehomingschemeanddogregistrationfeesshouldbeincreasedwithapercentagereturnedtotheowneronevidencethatthe dogsfuturehasbeensecured(afterracingcareerisover).
Theregulatorshouldmakeincreasedprovisionforrehomingretiredgreyhounds,includingincreasedfinancialsupportforretirementprovision.
Leadingtracksmustacceptthattheyhaveacollectiveresponsibilityforimprovingthewelfareagenda.
LordDonoghuePhoto:Parliament UK(2013)
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2.4 The Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010
InMarch2010thegovernmentpublishedTheWelfare ofRacingGreyhoundsRegulations2010,statutory regulationsbroughtinundertheAnimalWelfareAct2006,whichbecamelegallybindinginEnglandon 6thApril2010.
Despitethenumerouspointsofagreementbetween theparliamentaryandindustryreviewsin2007,thesestatutoryregulationsareverylimitedinscopeandfailtoincorporatemostoftherecommendationsofeitherreview.
Whileafewgoodmeasureshavebeenincluded,suchasmicro-chippingofalldogs,vetattendanceatallracesandcollectionofinjurydata(althoughnorequirementforpublication),theregulationsdoverylittletoimprovedogwelfareandinsteadleavetheindustrytoregulateitselfwithfewdetailsofitsoperationsmadepublic.Explicitly,theregulationsignoredtheAPGAWscallsfor:
anindependentregulatorwithanimalwelfare representation,adoptinginsteadthehybridsystemproposedbyLordDonoughuewhichallowsthe industrytocontinuetoself-regulate.
thepublicationofinjurydata,insteadrequiring veterinariansatthetrackstorecordallinjuriesandthetracktokeepthesedatafor10years.Tracksarenotrequiredtopublishthisinformationorevenshareitwiththeregulator.
theimplementationofsystemstotrackgreyhoundsfrombirthuntildeathandmatchthenumberofdogsallowedintotheindustrywiththenumbersthatcanberehomedattheendoftheirracingcareer.
requirementsfortracks,trainersandownersto rehomeunwanteddogsandprovideevidence thattheyhavedoneso.
licensingofBritishbreedersandjointinitiatives betweenDEFRAandIrishauthoritiestotackle over-breedingandtransportofgreyhounds betweenthetwocountries.
TheLeaguecameoutstronglyagainsttheregulationswhentheywerepublished,callingthemlittlemorethanacrookscharter.
Theyareduetobereviewedin2015andwewill continueourcallforanindependentbodytooverseeregulation,andfortheAPGAWrecommendations tobepursued.
Thefollowingsectionssetoutwhy.
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3 A murky present Thelackoftransparencythatstillcharacterises greyhoundracinginBritainmeansthat,sevenyears onfromtheAPGAWreport,thereisstilllittlecredibleinformationavailableon:
thenumberofdogsbredeachyearversusthoseregistered to race
thenumberofdogsimportedfromIrelandandtheconditionsoftheirtransport
thescaleofdoginjuriesandthecauses
thelengthofmostracingcareers
howmanydogsfindlovinghomesintheirretirement
howmanyarestillkilledneedlessly.
ThissectionsetsoutthelimitedinformationthatisavailabletothepubliconthelivesanddeathsofracinggreyhoundsinBritaintoday.
3.1 Dog numbers in Britain
ThenumberofracinggreyhoundsbredinBritainhasbeendecliningsteadilysince2006(Table1).In2013,just251greyhoundlitterswereregisteredwiththeNationalStudBook13,adeclineof58%since200614.ThenumberofadultdogsregisteredtoraceonGBGBlicensedtrackshasnotfallenasdramatically,droppingfrom10,101in200615tojust7,520in201316, a decline of24%(Table1).Althoughnofiguresareavailableforthenumberofdogscurrentlyracingonindependenttracks,itisalsolikelytohavedeclinedfromthe APGAWsestimateof4,000in2006asthenumber ofindependenttrackshasdroppedfrom17tojust ninetoday.
Thereisalsolikelytobeanoverlapofdogsracingonbothindependentandlicensedtracks.Reportsfrom2007suggestedthatbetween2017-3018%ofdogswereracedonbothtypesoftrack.Withanaveragelitter producingsixtosevenpuppies19,themaximumnumberofBritish-bredracinggreyhoundsin2013wouldhavebeenapproximately1,632.
Assumingthateverydogisagoodchaserand thereforeregisteredtorace,anunlikelyscenario,thereremainsaminimumshortfallof5,888dogsbetweenthenumberbredinBritainandthenumberregisteredtoracehere.ThisgapisfilledbyIrish-breddogs(Table1).GBGBrecordsshowthat83%ofdogsregisteredtoraceinBritainin2013werebredinIreland20,anincreaseofsevenpercentagepointssince200621.
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Greyhounds registered in GB
10,101 9,751 9,012 8,672 8,552 7,972 7,964 7,520
Irish-bred dogs in GB racing pool
7,640 7,369 6,943 6,652 6,536 6,223 6,264 6,203
Percentage of dogs racing in GB who were
bred in Ireland
76 76 77 77 77 78 79 83
Table 1: NumberofgreyhoundsregisteredtoraceinBritainandthenumberofIrish-breddogs inthisracingpool:2006-201322.
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3.2 Dogs imported from Ireland
DespiteboththeAPGAWandLordDonoghue recommendingthatDEFRAandtheIrishauthoritiesworktogetherontheissueofgreyhoundbreedingandtransport,thereisstillsparseinformationavailableonthistrade.GBGBrecordsconfirmthatthemajorityofgreyhoundsregisteredinBritainoriginateinIreland,yet,inresponsetoapublicinformationrequestmadebyGREY2KUSAWorldwidein2013,IrelandsDepartmentofAgriculture,FoodandtheMarinestated:
Thereisnodefinitivedatabaseforthenumberof greyhoundstransportedbyroadandseaorfortheaveragesizeofconsignments.
Thisisashockinglackofoversightbyboth governments,especiallyasracingdogsareexplicitlylistedasanareacoveredbytheWelfareofAnimals(Transport)EnglandOrder2006whichsetsout provisionsregarding:
Protection during transport
Meansoftransportandtransportpractices
Spaceallowances
Dutiesoftransporters
Fitnesstotravel
Feed,waterandrestperiods
Competentand/ortrainedhandlers
Treatmentofsickanimals
ItisdifficulttocomprehendhowDEFRAcanensurethatallIrish-bredgreyhoundsimportedtoBritain,some6,000+animalseveryyear,aretreatedinaccordancewiththeseregulationswhennogovernmentrecordsarekeptoftheirnumbersorthemethodsusedtomovethem.
3.3 The life of a racing greyhound
Whilemanyracinggreyhoundswereonceprivatelyownedandenjoyedapersonalrelationshipwiththeirowner,oftenlivingaspartofthefamily,thisisrarelythecase today23.ManydogsracedonGBGBtracksare nowownedbytrainersorsyndicates24andareconfinedinkennelswithalargenumberofdogs25.
ThistransitionislargelyduetotheriseofBAGSracing,whereaconsortiumofbookmakerspaytrackstoputonraceswhicharebroadcastdirectlyintobettingshopsforthepurposeofoff-trackbetting26 (see box on next page).
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BAGS Racing
AfinanciallycrucialpartoftheindustryistheBookmakersAfternoonGreyhoundService(BAGS).
Foundedin1967byaconsortiumofbookmakerstoprovidegamblingopportunitiesonwetwinters afternoonswhenhorseracingwassuspended27,BAGSracingisnowbroadcastdailyfromseveral ofthe17tracksthathaveBAGScontracts,resultinginmorethan25,000BAGSraceseveryyear28.
AccordingtoLordDonoughue,meetingthishighdemandforbettingproductnecessarilyrequiresverylargenumbersofgreyhounds,withBAGSracingviewedbysomeasthemaindriverofgreyhoundoverproduction.
SometrainersmayalsotrytofulfiltheirlargeBAGScontractbyrunningtheirdogsmoreoften,andthis inevitablyleadstootherwelfareproblemssuchasincreasedinjuryrates29.
WhilstBAGSracesaregenerallypoorlyattended(atthetrack),theygeneratealmostalloftheoff-track bettingincomeforregulatedgreyhoundracing30.
ToparaphraseLordDonoughue,astheprincipleeconomicdriverofgreyhoundracingisoff-trackbetting,andtheprinciplevehicleforoff-trackbettingisBAGSracing....itbecomesclearthat,were it not for BAGS, there would no longer be a sustainable licensed greyhound racing industry in Great Britain31.
3.3.1 Kennel conditions and inspections
Mostgreyhoundsarekeptconfinedatoff-trackkennelsownedbytheirtrainerandbroughttothetrackonthedayoftherace.TrainersracingonGBGBtracksmustkeeptheirkennelsinaccordancewithGBGBrules outliningthesizeofeachunitaswellasdetailsofthecleaningregimeandfoodandwaterprovisions (Table2)32.
SinceJanuary2011,theGBGBhasrequiredallkennelstohaveanannualveterinaryinspectionwherevariousaspectsoftheaccommodationsareratedaseither acceptableorunacceptableandstepsforimprovementgiven33.
KennelsarealsoinspectedtwiceeveryyearbyGBGBStewardstoensuretheyareadheringtotheRulesofRacing34.
Typicalsinglegreyhoundunit.Photo:DillymoreKennels,Suffolk(dillymorekennels.co.uk).
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Double unit (housing two dogs together)
Single unit
Kennel width 1.5metres/5feet 1metre/3.3feet
Kennel depth 2.3metres/7.5feet 2.3metres/7.5feet
Removable wooden bench to provide bedding area
1metre2/3.3feet2 1metre2/3.3feet2
Distance between bench and front of kennel
1.25metres/4feet 1.25metres/4feet
Each kennel shall be provided with adequate natural or artificial light and regulated ventilation.
All excreta and soiled material shall be removed at least twice daily and more often if necessary from all living compartments and at least once daily from exercise areas.
All greyhounds accommodated on the premises shall be provided with suitable bedding material and be given adequate exercise
All greyhounds shall be adequately supplied with suitable food and water and visited at suitable intervals.
Mostracinggreyhoundsspend95%oftheirtime confinedinakennel35,sowhiletheseregulationsand inspectionsarewelcome,theyarenotsufficienttoensurethatgreyhoundswelfareneedsaremet.Theregulationsregardingadequateexercise,foodand lightaremeaninglesslyvagueandsubjective.For example,mostgreyhoundsareletoutoftheirkennels forexerciseanddaylightonlythreetofourtimesadayforperiodsofjust15to20minutes.
Additionally,astudyintogreyhoundwelfareconductedbytheUniversityofBristolin2012foundthatmorethan95%ofgreyhoundswhoarekeptinpairedhousing(twodogstogether)areconstantlymuzzledandthatthis practiceishighlydistressingforthem36,yetthisissue isnotmentionedintheregulations.
TheSocietyofGreyhoundVeterinariansabranch oftheBritishVeterinaryAssociationspecialisingin greyhoundshasexpresseditsconcernwithkennel inspectionpolicies,particularlytheGBGBslackofdesiretointroduceminimumstandardsfortheselectionandtrainingofinspectingvetsandthattheinspectionformdoesnotincludeanymentionoftheAnimalWelfare
Act200637.Thefactthatveterinaryinspectorsarepaidbythetraineralsoleavesthesystemopentocorruption.
Trainerswhoraceatindependenttracksdonothavetheirkennelsinspected.TheWelfareofGreyhound Regulations2010simplyrequireslocalauthoritiestoinspectindependenttracksbeforegrantingorrenewing alicence,therearenoprovisionsforinspectionof trainersfacilities38.
DuringtheconsultationontheWelfareofGreyhoundRegulations2010,87%ofresponses(excludingthosecallingforanoutrightbanontheindustry)calledforalltrainersandbreederskennelstobelicensedandinspected by an accountable independent body39.TheGovernmentignoredtheserecommendations statingthat:
WehavenotbeenconvincedthatthereissufficientevidenceofwelfareproblemsattrainerskennelsthatmeritfurtherregulationsabovethealreadysignificantprotectionprovidedtogreyhoundsbytheAnimal WelfareAct200640.
Table 2: GBGBRulesofRacing-Rule212:MinimumRequirementsforallResidentialLicensedKennelsandTransportationofGreyhounds
The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change 17
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Welfareproblemsatlicensedandindependenttrainerskennelscontinuetobeamajorcauseforconcern.
DespitetheGBGBawardingatotalof236,000totrainers in2012forkennelimprovements41,AmandaAinsworth,WelfareandOperationsManagerfortheRetired GreyhoundTrust,toldtheGreyhoundStarin September2013:
...therehasbeenamarkedincreaseinthenumber ofimprovementnoticesservedonracingkennels. InthelastsixweeksImusthavebeenapproached by20trainersaskingustotakedogsbecausetheyhavebeenorderedtoreducetheirnumber42.
Adequatelivingconditionsandpropermedicalcarearealltoooftensacrificedtosavecosts,andnumerouscases haverevealedthatevenwhentheseverityofthecrueltyisexposed,eithernoorlenientpunishmentishandeddown.
Herearejustafewrecentexamples,citedbelowand onthefollowingpages.
In 2010, independent greyhound trainer and owner Ian Street was given a lifetime ban on owning animals and a four month suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to 11 offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
TheprosecutionwasbroughtbyWirralCouncilwiththesupportofGreyhoundRescueWestofEngland(GRWE)followingtheremovalof29greyhoundsfromStreetspropertyinApril2009.AccordingtoGRWE,thedogswerekeptinbloodstained,rustykennels;innear-totaldarknesswithanopen,cloggeddrainagechannelcontainingstinkingbrownsludge.Manyofthedogswerekeptmuzzled,andnonehaddrybedding;allofthedogswerestainedwithurine,withfivecompletelysaturated43.
Thedogsthemselvesweredescribedasbeinginextremelypoorphysicalconditionandseemedunusedtohumancontact.Manyhadseverelydamagedandbleedingtails,severalwitholdbreaks;almostallshowedsignsofmites,fleasandworminfestations;andmanyhadnoticeableinjuriesincludingopensoresand missingtoes.
Astrainersracingonindependenttracksdonothavetheirkennelsinspected,thiscrueltyonlycametolightwhenmembersofthepubliccomplainedtoWirralCouncil.TheCouncilvisitedStreetinJune2008and issuedawelfareimprovementnotice,whichStreetignored.AfurthercomplaintwasmadeinJanuary2009andStreetwasvisitedagain,butbynowhewasbreedingpuppies.Thedogswerenotrescuedforafurtherthreemonths44.
Femalegreyhoundconfinedtounsafewirekennelinalmosttotaldarkness.(Imagetakenwithflash).
AnopenandinfectedsoreonthethighofayoungdogremovedfromStreetsproperty.Photos:GreyhoundRescueWestofEngland(2010)
18 The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change
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In December 2010, GBGB licensed trainer Christopher Cronin was fined 750 and ordered to pay 10,000 in costs for the neglect of puppies in his care.
Specifically,theGBGBfoundthathefailedtoprovidethepuppieswithaccesstodrinkingwater,failedtomonitortheirhealthandwell-beingandfailedtoactupontheillnessthatdevelopedinthepuppiesbytakingremedialmeasuresorseekingpromptmedicalcare.
Thekennelwasalsonotappropriatelyheatedanddidnothave appropriatebeddingforthepuppies.
Aninspectionofthedogsatthekennelbyaveterinarysurgeonrevealed theextentofthepuppiespoorcondition.
Thegeneralconditionofthepuppieswasdescribedashypothermic, allweredescribedasshivering,fiveoutofthesixwereemaciatedand thesixthwasthin,allshowedvaryingdegreesofclinicaldehydration, allthepuppiesweredescribedashavingfleas.
Oneofthedogswasinsuchbadshapethateuthanasiawastheonlyoption.Postmortemtestsdidnotfind adiseaseorvirus,butthevetdidtestifyatthehearingthatfailureofprimarycarewasevident.
TheGBGBDisciplinaryCommitteeruledthatMrCronincausedorpermittedgreyhoundstobetreatedinsuchamannerascausedthosegreyhoundsunnecessarysuffering.
Despitetheseverityofthecase,thetrainerwasnotsuspended.
MrCroninfailedtopaythefineandcostsandhislicenceexpiredonDecember31,2010.InJuly2011theGBGBservedhimwithanoticetopaytheoutstandingmoneybuthelaunchedalegalappeal.AsofJune2013hestillhadnotpaid45.
In 2012, the Sunday Express exposed the terrible conditions at two greyhound trainers kennels after an investigation carried out by the greyhound advocacy organisation Greyt Exploitations. FilmandphotographstakeninsidethekennelsofBeverlyHeatoninSwinton,andNigelSaundersinStockport,revealeddirty,cold,damp kennelswheredogsspentmostoftheirtimeinthedark.
Inanattempttodefendtheconditionsatherkennels,MrsHeaton revealedhowlittleexerciseandfreshairracinggreyhoundstypicallyget.ShetoldtheExpress:WereinspectedbytheGBGBonceafortnight andiftherewasaproblemtheydsoontellus.Thedogsareletoutfourtimesadayfor15to20minutes46.
Although the Express article states that the GBGB was investigating both facilities, no action appears to have been taken against either trainer.
ActivekennelblocksatNigel Saundersproperty.
Photos:GreytExploitations(2012)
GreyhoundspuppiesfeaturedonChristopherCroninslistingonagreyhoundtrainerwebsite.Photo:greyhoundtrainers.com
The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change 19
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A GBGB disciplinary hearing on 5th November 2013 further highlights the failure of self-regulation in preventing animal suffering47.
TheDisciplinaryCommitteeheardhowseveralinspectionsatthekennelsofAnneMcCarroll,aprofessionalgreyhoundtrainerattachedtoNewcastleStadium,hadfoundunacceptablefeaturesandgeneralpoor conditionofgreyhounds,includingproblemswithteeth,fleasandunderweightgreyhounds.
InspectionsalsofoundthatMrsMcCarrollhadinexcessof52greyhounds,thelimitimposedbytheDirectorofRegulations,andhaddeliberatelymanipulatedthepaperworktodisguisethisfact.Oneinspectionfoundthekennelsunabletoaccountfor19greyhoundsthathaddisappearedsincethepreviousinspectionjust onemonthearlier.
TheCommitteealsoheardevidencefromtheRetiredGreyhoundTrustwhichhadreceivedanurgentappealfromMrsMcCarrollearlierintheyear.Sherequesteditshelpinurgentlyrehoming20greyhoundsasshehadallowedherselftogetintothesituationofhavingmorethan80greyhounds.
TheevidencelefttheDisciplinaryCommitteeveryconcernedaboutthewelfareofsomeofthegreyhoundsandveryconcernedaboutthecompetenceofMrsMcCarrolltorunprofessionalkennels.
Yet, despite these serious concerns, they did not withdraw Mrs McCarrolls licence or confiscate the dogs.
Instead,shewasfined500andallowedtocarryonoperating,albeitwiththethreatthatherlicencewouldbewithdrawnifshedidnotcomplyfullywithspecificconditionsregardingnumberofdogsheldather kennels,staffsupportandaccuratedocumentation.
InJanuary2014,justthreemonthsafterMrsCarrollsoriginalhearing,asecondinquirywasheldagainsther.ShewasfoundinbreachofGBGBrulesforfailingtokeepaccuraterecordsofthemovementofgreyhoundsinhercarebetweenFebruary2011andJune2013.
She received no further punishment for this new breach of the rules.
3.3.2 Racing and injury risk
GreyhoundracingtakesplaceyearroundinBritain,withdogsownedbyGBGBtrainerstypicallyracingonedayineveryfiveandparticipatinginseveralracesinasingleraceday(heats,semi-finals,final)48.Similarfiguresarenotavailablefordogsracedonindependenttracks.
BoththeAPGAWandDonoughuereportsexpressedconcernsthatthefrequencywithwhichadogracedwouldimpactoninjuryratesandcareerlength.Bothreportssuggestedlimitingthenumberofracesdogstakepartineachweekinordertoprolongtheirracingcareerandtherebyreducethenumberofdogsretiringandneedinghomeseveryyear.
AccordingtotheSocietyforGreyhoundVets,the dimensionsofthetrack,thenatureoftherunning surfaceandtheweatheralsocontributetoinjuryrates49.GreyhoundsVoiceacommitteeofgreyhoundtrainers,owners,promoters,vetsandcharityrepresentativestoldtheAPGAWthatgreyhoundsarenowgenerally largerandfasterthanwhenmanytrackswerebuilt, puttingthematgreatriskofinjuryonbadlymaintainedtracksurfaces50.
20 The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change
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Recentpostsbygreyhoundtrainersandownerson greyhoundracingforumssupportthisview:
Nowondertherearenoentriesfortheopens.Atleast3dogscarriedofftonight.Thetrackhasbeengettingworseoverthelastfewweeks.Ihaveheardthetrackisbonehardandneedsdiggingupwithmoresand put on51.
Tracksareforeverbeingdugupandpackeddown.Newsandanddrainagethatdriesoutwaytooquicklyduringwarmerweather.Theabove2thingsalonehaveIMOcontributedtoaseeminglyrecordlevelofbrokenhocksandcareerendinginjuries52.
Consistenttrackmanagementreallyneedstobe addressedasitsamajorconcerntoeveryoneinvolvedwiththesportandateverytrack53.
ConcernsovertracksafetyledtheAPGAWtocallforinjurystatisticstobepublishedfornamed tracks. Theywerenotalone.DuringtheconsultationontheWelfareofRacingGreyhoundsRegulations,23organisationsand1,671individualscalledforinjuryratestobepublished54.
TheSocietyisalsoconcernedthatcurrently,theinjurydatawillnotbepublishedandmadepubliclyavailable. TheSocietybelievesthatthisimportant[sic],asitwouldputpressureontrackswithhighinjuryincidencetomakepromptimprovements.Furthermore,ifthepublicistoregainfaithinthegreyhoundindustry, itmustbeseentobemeasurable,openand accountable.
RSPCAresponsetotheDEFRAconsultation55
Despitesuchoverwhelmingdemandforthepublicationofinjurystatistics,the2010Regulationsdonotrequireit.EvenLordDonoughuescallforthepublicationofanonymousinjurydata(withoutnamingtracks)wasignored.TheRegulationssimplyrequiretrackstorecordallinjuriesthatoccurduringraces,trialsandsalestrials(notduringschoolingtrials)andkeeptheserecordsfor10years.Tracksarenotrequiredtosharethis informationwiththepublicorevenlicensingbodies.
TrackslicensedbyGBGBdohaveanadditional requirementtorecordout-of-racinginjuriesthatoccuronthetrack,andtheirrecordbooksmustalsobeopentoinspectionbyGBGBofficialsatanytime56.However,aGBGBWelfareOfficertoldtheNewZealandGreyhoundRacingAssociations2013IndependentWelfareReview:
...thisruleissubjecttoadherencebythetrainerand monitoringandenforcementisnotfeasible57.
Evensomeintheindustryareunhappyaboutthe secrecysurroundinggreyhoundinjuries.TheGreyhoundTrainersAssociationstatedinMay2014thattrainers andownershavebeenaskingfortracksafetyandinjurystatisticsfromtheGBGBforsometime,yetno informationhasbeenpublishedonthesubject58.A snapshotfromapopulargreyhoundracingforum, GreyhoundScene,revealsadeeplackofconfidence intrackinjuryreportingandtheGBGB:
Tracksafetyisajoke.Theydontpublishthefiguresbecausetherewouldbeawelfareoutcry.Tracks refusingtoputbadlyinjureddogstosleeptokeep theirinjuryratedown,incasetheydoeverhavetoprovidethem59.
AllthetimetheGBGBdontpublishinjurystatstheworsttracksarekeptanonymoussowhatincentive dothesetrackshavetotryharder?60.
ItneedssayingandIamgoingtosayit.Thetruthisthatifaccurateinjurystatswerepublishedfromalltracks.Thesportwouldbeshutdownonthewelfareissue61.
Perhapsunsurprisinglyinthisfracturedindustry,trackownerstelladifferentstory.EasingtonGreyhoundStadium,anindependenttrack,believesthatownersandtrainerswronglyblamepoortrackmaintenanceforinjuriesthatareactuallyaroutinepartofracingstressfracturesfromrepeatedfastrunning62.Inanoticeontheirwebsite,thetrackchastisedownersandtrainers forexpectingthetracktofreelyeuthaniseallinjureddogsincludingthosewithonlyminorinjuriesandcalledonthemtotakeresponsibilityforthewelfareoftheirowndogs.
The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change 21
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3.3.3 Injury type, severity and prevalence
Animalwelfareorganisationshavelongconsideredthelevelofinjurysufferedbyracinggreyhoundstobetoohigh.TheseconcernsaresupportedbytheUniversity ofBristols2012studyintogreyhoundwelfarewhichidentifiedracinginjuriesasakeycauseofsevere sufferingforracingdogs63.Intheabsenceofpubliclyavailableinjuryrecords,informationmustbegleanedfromavarietyofsourcestotryandascertainthetype,severityandfrequencyofinjuriesenduredbyracinggreyhounds.
TheNationalGreyhoundRacingClubtheformerregulatingbodythatwasreplacedbytheGBGBin2009estimatedthatonaveragetwodogsperracemeetingrequiretreatmentonsiteforinjuriesrangingfromminorskintrauma,tofracturerequiringfixation,orinjuriesrequiringeuthanasia64.
Theonlypublishedinjuryfigurestodatearecontained ina2014academicpaper65,butwerebasedondata collectedfrom2002to2006.Duringthisfouryear period,atotalof1,168injurieswererecordedatthe twotracksstudied(RyeHouseandWalthamstow, bothnowclosed).
Thesefiguresonlyincludeinjuriesrecordedbythedutyveterinarianatthetrack,notthosethatbecameapparentafterthedogsleftthetrack,somaybeunderestimates.ThetypeofinjurywasonlyrecordedatRyeHouseandincluded:fractures(legandfootbones,cervicaland coccygealvertebrae,scapulaeandskulls);skinand footpadlacerations;tearsingroinandlegmuscles;bruises;cramp;sprainandunidentifiablecausesoflameness.
Asnopublishedinjuryrecordsareavailableforanyperiodmorerecentthantheabovestudy(2002-2006),orforanyothertrack,GREY2KUSAWorldwideconductedanextensivesearchforinjuryreportsonthewebsites,twitterfeedsandblogsofUKgreyhoundtrainers;aswellasonindustryforums,websitesandintheindustrynewspaperGreyhound Star.
Atotalof276specificgreyhoundinjurieswerefounddatingfrom2006toJune2014.Analysisofthesereportsrevealed:
Bonefractureswereoverwhelminglythemostfrequentlyreportedinjury(118reports),followedby22muscletears,11lacerations,sixsprainsandfivestrains.Thetypeofinjurywasnotidentifiedin100cases(36%).
Forty-fourdogsreportedlydiedorwereeuthanisedasaresultoftheirinjury,atotalfatalityrateof16%.However,asthefateofthedogisnotgivenineveryreport,thisislikelytobeanunderestimate.
Ninegreyhoundswereinjuredtwice;aroundthreequartersoftheinjureddogsweremale;andthemostcommonageofthedogswheninjuredwas2yearsold.
AstudyconductedbytheUniversityofLiverpool revealedthatoneunnamedGBGBtrackeuthanised approximately29greyhoundsperyear(87dogs betweenJune2007andAugust2010),primarilyduetoinjuriessustainedduringracing(80ofthe87dogskilled)66.Theaverageageofthedogswheneuthanisedwasjustthreeyears.
Withoutfigurespublishedbytheindustry,itisnot possibletoknowthetotalnumberofdogsinjured, oftenfatally,onBritishtrackseveryyear.Butthis numberwouldmasktheindividualsufferingofeachdog,manyenduringexcruciatingfracturesand prematuredeaths.
RotarWingsfatalfallatSunderland,July2011. Photo:GreytExploitations(2011)
22 The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change
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Alien Planet
Photoby: SteveNash(2013)
Breed: BlueMaleGreyhound Born: 18August2010 Died: 15July2013
EuthanisedaftersufferingabrokenlegduringaraceatNottingham.
Kokoro
Photo: GreytExploitations
Breed: BrindleMaleGreyhound Born: 1June2010 Died: 27March2013
EuthanisedafterbreakinghisneckduringaraceatYarmouthStadium.
Westmead Adonis
Photoby: YanPhotography(2012)
Breed: BlackMaleGreyhound Born: 21August2012 Died: 25February2013
Euthanisedaftersufferinga shatteredforelegduringarace atSittingbourne.
Rotar Wing
Photo: Greyhound-Data.com(2011)
Breed: BlackMaleGreyhound Born: 7September2007 Died: 14July2011
EuthanisedaftercollapsingwithabrokenbackduringaraceatSunderland.
Droopys Quincy
Photoby: GreyhoundData.com(2013)
Breed: BlackMaleGreyhound Born: 9September2011 Died: 24January2014
EuthanisedaftersufferinganinjuryduringaraceatRomford.
Freddy Thelegend
Photo: Greyhound-Data.com(2012)
Breed: BlackMaleGreyhound Born: 1June2011 Died: 21April2014
EuthanisedaftersufferingabrokenlegduringaraceatNottingham.
The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change 23
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3.3.4 Drugs
Theuseofdrugsingreyhoundracingisanissue ofintegritybutalsoananimalwelfareconcernas substancesusedtoslowdownorspeedupdogs canhaveseriousside-effectsandresultinlong-termdamage.Yet,theWelfareofRacingGreyhound Regulations2010doesnotrequiremandatorydrug testingforracinggreyhounds.Infact,theissueof dopingisnotmentionedintheregulations.
DogsracedonGBGBlicensedtracksdoreceivesomeprotectionfromunfettereddruguseunderRacingRule214whichstates:it is the responsibility of the trainer to ensure that all food, vitamins, minerals and additives fed to greyhounds in his/her charge are free from any substance that may falsely affect their performance or prejudice their welfare. GBGB Sampling Stewards and Stipendiary Stewards may visit a licensed stadium for any race or trial meeting and select a number of greyhounds at random for drug sampling.
Samplingisnormallyviaaurinespecimentakenjustbeforeagreyhoundsraceortrial,butpost-race samplingmayalsotakeplace67.Dogsracedon independenttracksarenotsubjecttotheseregulations.
AccordingtotheRacecoursePromotersAssociation,theorganisationthatrepresentslicensedgreyhoundtracks:
...settingupadrugtestingregimeforindependenttrackswouldbetoohighaburdenforthemtosurvive68.
In2009,theGBGBcommissionedtheIndependent Anti-DopingandMedicationControlReview.Apanelofexpertswasestablishedtoevaluatetheprocessesinplacetomonitorandcontroltheuseofbannedand controlledsubstances.Despiteclaimingtobean independentreview,allthepanelmembershadsomeconnectiontothehorseordogracingindustries69.
Nonetheless,theirreport,publishedin2010,offeredsomeinterestinginsightsandrecommendations:
Onlyonein60dogsstartinginaraceortrial underwentdrugtesting.
208positivesampleswerefoundfrom2006-2009,outof40,000samplescollected.
Finesgivenaspenaltiesforpositivesamplesduringthisperiodwerehighlyinconsistent,particularlyinrelationtococaine,caffeineanddexamethasone (asteroidusedasananti-inflammatory).
TreatmentBookswerenotbeingcompletedproperlybymanytrainersandwerenotbeingproperly monitoredbyStipendiaryStewards.
Therewasaworryingamountofignorancewithintheindustryonaspectsofthecurrentanti-dopingandmedicationpolicyandsomeuncertaintyamong someofficialsandregulators.
Thepanelrecommendedaconsiderable increase in the number of dogs tested at trialsandsalestrials,stating:we believe this is an important area where integrity and welfare may currently be compromised.
Italsoexpressedconcernoverthewidespread practiceofgivingfemalegreyhoundstestosterone tosuppressoestrus*,stating:it is not possible to justify the administration of androgenic (masculinising) agents to racing bitches and we recommend that testosterone should be prohibited.
*Aregularlyoccurringperiodofsexualreceptivityinmostfemale mammals,duringwhichovulationoccursandmatingcantakeplace.
24 The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change
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AstheGBGBdoesnotpublishthenumberofdogstested perrace,itisunclearwhetherthepanelsrecommendationforconsiderablymoretestinghasbeenimplemented.ItisclearthattheGBGBhasignoredtherecommendationtobantestosteroneasanoestrussuppressantasthehormoneisstillnamedasalicensedproduct(underthebrandnameDurateston)forthispurposeontheGBGBanti-dopingwebsite70.
Yet,inguidanceprovidedonthesamewebsiteforanalternativeoestrussuppressantwhichisprogesterone-based,theGBGBacknowledgesthattestosteroneis:
consideredinappropriateforthispurposeonwelfare,efficacyandintegritygrounds.
ThroughreportsoftheGBGBDisciplinaryCommitteehearings,itispossibletouncoverhowmany drug-relatedinquireshavetakenplacesincethe 2010report.Between2011andFebruary2014, atotalof122inquiriesresultedfromdrugrelated cases,afull70%ofallinquiriesheldinthatperiod71.However,itisnotclearwhatproportionofdrugtests, orevenpositivedrugtests,thisrepresents.
Itisclearthatthepenaltieshandeddownwouldnot providemuchofadeterrenttofutureoffending:
Eighty-threeinquiries(68%)resultedinfines,but themajority(64%)were500orlesswhileonly 17(20%)were1000ormore.
Only14inquiries(11%)resultedinsuspensions orapermanentban.
Evenrepeatoffendersaretreatedwithleniency. InSeptember2013,trainerToniTungattwas disciplinedforherfourthdrug-relatedbreachoftheRules.Shereceiveda1000finebutnosuspensionThismeagrepenaltyevenupsetmembersofthe forumGreyhoundScene,whofeltthatsheshouldhavebeenbanned72.
Thereportsalsorevealthatawiderangeofdrugs wereusedtobothspeedupandslowdownracingdogs,including:morphine,amphetamines,manytypesof steroids,temazepam(apowerfulsleepingpill), barbiturates,anti-inflammatories,caffeineandcocaine.
Althoughallofthesedrugscanhaveseriousside-effects, twoofthesesubstancesareofparticularconcern, theobromineandtimolol.
EventhislimitedinsightintodruguseatGBGBtracksismorethanisknownaboutindependenttracksasthereisnolegalrequirementforthemtocarryoutdrugtests.However,acasethatrecentlyhittheheadlinesshowsthatdrugusedoesoccuronindependenttracks.
Theobromine
Achemicalfoundinchocolatethatisknowntobefatallytoxicforsomedogsinverysmallquantities. Itisusedasastimulant.
Timolol
Abeta-blockerwhich,accordingtotheDisciplinary Committee,wouldlimittheirintakeofoxygen especiallyatthebeginningandendofaracewhichcouldattheveryleastcausesignificantdistress. Itisusedtoimpairperformance.
The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change 25
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In August 2011, the Daily Mail reported that independent trainer Anthony Gregory Fowler pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog and two counts of administering drugs to a dog knowing it to be poisonous or injurious73.
Hehadbeengivinggreyhoundscannabis to slow them downsothey wouldlose,andthenwhentheoddsimprovedhewouldbetonthesamedogsbutgivethemViagra or testosterone to speed them up.Hewasgiven an18weekcustodialsentencethatwassuspendedfor18monthsso he avoided prisonandwasorderedtopay1000.Healsoreceivedalifetime banonkeepinganimals.
ThiscaseonlycametolightwhenpoliceinvestigatedFowleronsuspicionofsellingcannabis,meaningmanymoredogscouldsuffersimilarabuseonindependenttracksyetgoundetectedduetoinadequateregulation.
3.4 Unwanted Greyhounds
3.4.1 Estimated numbers
In2007,theAPGAWreportedthataminimum surplus of 13,478 greyhoundswasproduced bytheregulatedgreyhoundindustryinEnglandandWaleseveryyear.Thisfigurewasbasedonindustry estimatesof11,000dogsretiringfromregulatedracingeachyearplusapproximately2,478youngdogseachyearwhonevermakeittothetrackbecausetheyare tooslowornon-chasers.
Thereportgoesontoestimatethatapproximately5,000oftheseunwanteddogsarere-homed,3,000mayberetainedaspetsand750mayreturntoIreland,atotal of8,750dogs.Itconcluded:
Underthesefiguresaminimumof4,728 dogs are unaccounted for each yearandwecanassumethatthemajorityofthesedogsaredestroyed.However,thisfiguredoesnotaccountfordogsfromindependentracingorthosewhicharebredfortheBritishracingindustryinIreland.Thesefiguresmustthereforeberegardedasconjecturalandarelikelytobeasignificantunderestimationofthetruescaleoftheproblemofunwanteddogsbeingdestroyed.
LordDonoughuesreportcorroboratedthese findings,stating:
Takentogether,theBGRB[nowtheGBGB]initiativesandthewelfarecharitiesrehomeabouthalfofthedogswhichretirefromracing.Someothersarepersonallyrehomedbytheirownersandtrainers.We do not know what happens to the rest.
Hewentontostressthatthepublicexpectedthe industry,includingtheindependentsector,toestablish asystemwherethewhereaboutsandstatusofall greyhounds,preferablyfromcradletograve,or certainlyfrombirthtoretirement,isknown.Thisdid nothappenandthenumberofsurplusgreyhounds inBritainandwhatbecomesofthemisnoclearer todaythanin2007.
Usingthemostrecentretirementfigureof8,000dogsper year74(comparedto11,000intheAPGAWreport)thenumberofsurplusdogsproducedinBritaineachyearstillsitsabove10,000.ThenumberofyoungdogswhodisappearduringrearingmayalsohavedeclinedsincetheAPGAWreport;however,the2012UniversityofBristolstudyintogreyhoundwelfarefoundthatcurrentstatisticsforthesedogswereunavailable75.
AnthonyFowler outsidecourt.Photo:Darlingtonand
StocktonTimes(2011)
26 The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change
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AsmostofthedogsracedinBritaintoday(83%) originatefromIreland,thesurplusofyounggreyhoundsislikelytooccurthere.ThiswasconfirmedinevidencegivenbyMichaelWatts,HonorarySecretaryforthe SocietyofGreyhoundVeterinariansandspokespersonfortheCountrysideAllianceIreland,totheNorthern IrelandAssemblyduringconsultationontheWelfare ofAnimalsBill201076:
WelfareproblemsinEnglandtendtorevolvearoundwhathappenstogreyhoundsthataretoooldortoolametoraceanymoreandwhoseownersnolongerwantthem.Theproblemsariseherewithayoungercohortofgreyhoundsthatarenotfastenoughorareinjuredandareunabletostartracing.
Wehavealargenumberofyounggreyhoundsthat, inthenatureofthings,areperhapsnothandledmuch,notverysocialisedandnothousetrained.Inmanycases,theydonotmakegoodpets.Therearealargenumberofthem,andwhatarewetodowiththem?
InEngland,thereisalargenumberofolder,retireddogsthatwereusedtoalevelofhumancontactandtoregularhandling,andtheyaremucheasiertorehome.Furthermore,thereare60millionpeopleinEnglandwho mightliketorehomethem,asopposedtoabout4million peopleinIreland.WhenIsayIreland,Imeanall32counties.ThebreedingofgreyhoundsinIrelandisregulatedbytheIrishCoursingClub,whichconsiders Ireland,forbetterorworse,a32-countyentity.Forthat reason,wehavenoseparatefiguresforNorthernIreland.
WithEnglandsmuchlargerpopulation,theyhavetorehomeapproximately10,000unwantedgreyhoundsperannum.Therefore,inanutshell,wehavemoreyounger,lessrehomabledogs,andfewerhomesforthemtogoto.
MichaelWatts, SocietyofGreyhoundVetsand
Countryside Alliance Ireland
Thisdoesnotpaintaverycomfortingpictureofthelives,andmorelikelythedeaths,ofunwantedgreyhoundsbredinIrelandtosupplytheBritishracingindustry.Furthermore,rehomingthousandsofretiredgreyhoundseveryyearisnotaneasytaskandshouldnotbe promotedasthesolutiontotheindustrysoverproductionandwantondisposalofgreyhounds.
3.4.2 Greyhound adoption
Thecompetitionfacinggreyhoundsseekinggoodquality homesisextremelyhigh.AsurveyconductedbytheDogsTrustrevealedthat111,986strayandabandoneddogswerepickeduporhandedintolocalauthoritiesacrosstheUKbetweenJuly2012andJuly2013,with aquarterofthesedogsgiventorehomingcentres77.
These27,996dogswillcompetedirectlywithunwanted greyhoundsforalimitednumberofsuitablehomes.Moreover,thisfigureonlyincludesdogswhoarehandled bylocalauthoritiesandnotthosegivendirectlytorehoming charities,sothetruefiguremustbemuchhigher.
Itissimplyunacceptableforthegreyhoundindustry, acommercialenterpriseturningovermillionsofpoundsayear,toaddtotheburdenalreadyfacedbyrehomingcharities.
TheprimaryadoptionagencyforgreyhoundsretiredfromtheBritishracingindustryistheRetired GreyhoundTrust(RGT),whichoperatesmorethan 72localbranchesacrossBritainandisfundedlargely bytheracingindustry(40%ofits2012fundingcamefromtheBritishGreyhoundRacingFund,whileBAGSandthesatellitebroadcastereachdonatedanominalamounttothecharity78).
In2012RGTfound3,910homesforgreyhounds79, allhomesthatcouldhavebeenfilledbyotherneedydogs.Independentgreyhoundcharities,alongwithotherdogrehomingcentres,findhomesforapproximately1,500retiredgreyhoundseveryyearanddosowithoutfinancialaidfromtheindustry.
TheGBGBbelievesthatafurther1,500arerehomeddirectlybyownersandtrainers81,leavingaminimumof1,000retiredgreyhoundsunaccountedforeveryyear.
The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change 27
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3.4.3 Euthanasia
DespiteboththeAPGAWandLordDonoughuecalling ontheindustrytotrackalldogsfromthecradletothegrave,neithertrack,trainernorownerarecurrentlyrequiredtoprovideevidencethatanunwanteddoghasbeenrehomeduponretirement.TheGBGBdoesrequireownerstoregistertheirdogsretirementwithin28daysandprovideinformationastodisposition(e.g.retainedbyowner,giventoanimalcharity,euthanasedbyalicensedveterinarian);however,no supporting evidence of this action is required82.
Ownersarethereforefreetosaythatdogshavebeengiventoanimalcharitieswhentheyhaveinfactbeeneuthanised,anditisimpossibletoknowhowmany unwanteddogsareactuallykilledbylicensedvetsormeetthesamefateasthethousandsburiedinSeaham.
Infact,twoyearsafterthekillingfieldsinSeahamwereuncovered,thesamejournalist(DanielFoggo)revealedthataknackersyardinHertfordshirewasstillroutinelykillingunwantedracinggreyhoundsfor20eachusingacaptiveboltpistol83.Whenconfrontedbythejournalist,theowneroftheknackersyard,AlanWaller,said:
Greyhoundtrainersbasicallyjustgetridoftheirdogswhentheyarenolongeranyusetothemandtheycantrehomethem.Itsjustoneofthethingsthat happensinanindustrywheretherestoomanydogs attheendofthedayandtheycantrehousethemall.
Additionally,theGBGBretirementformincludesthecategoryinjurynottreatedoneconomicgroundsasalegitimatereasonforeuthanisingadog84,despiteclaimsthattheindustryisstriving to ensure that no greyhound is unnecessarily put down once its racing career is over 85.
AstheGREY2KUSAWorldwideinjuryanalysis(outlinedinsection3.3.3.)revealed,16%oftheinjuryreportsavailableshowedthatthedogwassubsequently euthanisedordied.Itisunclearhowmanyofthese killingsweredonepurelyonhumanegroundsand howmanywereaneconomicdecision.
Thecallousdisregardsometrainershavefortheir greyhoundswashighlightedbyRGTco-ordinator AmandaAinsworthina2011GreyhoundStararticle86.SherecountsthestoryofatrainerbringingoneofhisdogsintoaRGTcentreandtellingthestaff:There is no point in trying to rehome this one. Hes a nasty bastard, you might as well put him down now.Thestafffoundthedogtobeverygentlemanneredandhewasrehomedwithinafewweeks.
3.4.4 Selling dogs for research and dissection
Killingunwantedgreyhoundsnotonlysavestheownermoney;accordingtonewspaperreportsitcanalsomaketheownermoney.AnundercoverinvestigationbyTheSundayTimesin2008exposedalicensedgreyhoundbreederandownersellingunwanteddogstoLiverpoolUniversitytobekilledanddissectedforteachingandresearch87.
CharlesPickering,thelargestgreyhoundbreederinBritainatthetime,offeredtoselldogstotheundercoverreporterfor30eachandsaidthatthathesold30dogsayearatthispricetotheUniversity,butcouldeasilyprovidemoreifrequired.
Allofthesedogswereyoungandhealthybutunsuitableforracingbecausetheydidnotchasethelureorweresimplytooslow.Pickeringalsosuppliedyearling greyhoundstolicensedtrainerRichardFieldingwhogavehisolderunwanteddogstotheUniversityforfree.Fieldingtoldthereporter:
Igotshotof10oldoneslastyear.Liverpoolisa godsendinthatrespectbecausetheyareusedfor agoodpurpose.
AseparateSundayTimesinvestigationthatsameyearrevealedthatanEssexveterinaryclinicwasputtingdownhealthygreyhoundsandsellingthebodyparts totheRoyalVeterinaryCollege(RVC).
28 The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change
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AnundercoverreporterposingasanownerfoundthatstaffattheGreyhoundClinicagreedtokillgreyhoundsfor30each,eventhoughhetoldthemthedogshadnothingwrongwiththem.TheRVCthenboughtdeadgreyhoundsfromtheclinic,butinsistedthedogsbehealthybeforetheywereeuthanised88.
InresponsetoapublicinformationrequestmadebyGREY2KUSAWorldwide,theRVCrevealedthatithadused300greyhoundbodiesbetween2006and2013.Thedogswereusedalmostexclusivelyforanatomicaldissectionclasses.TheRVCstatedthatthedogs
...wereeuthanisedduetovariousreasons,commonlyaninabilitytointegratewithotherdogsorforothermedicalreasons89.
Furthernewspaperreportsandpublicinformation requestsrevealthatmorethan550unwantedorinjuredgreyhoundshavebeenkilledandusedinteachingor researchinBritishUniversitiessince2006(Table3,p30).Mostofthesedogswereusedinveterinaryanatomyclasses;howeverLiverpoolUniversityusedgreyhoundbodypartsinresearchaimedatimprovingtheracingindustryasrecentlyas201090.
Althoughalloftheseinstitutionsclaimthedogswere noteuthanisedspecificallyfortheirteachingorresearchpurposes,theydoprovidetracks,trainersandownerswithaconvenientwayofdisposingofunwanted dogsasevidencedbyRichardFieldingscommentabove91.OfevengreaterconcernisUniversityCollegeDublinscontinuedpracticeofbuyingunwanted greyhoundsandkillingthemspecificallytousein veterinaryanatomystudies.InresponsetoGREY2KUSAWorldwidespublicinformationrequest,the Universityprovidedreceiptsdatingfrom2006to2013demonstratingthatithadpurchasedatotalof212 greyhounds,atthepriceofbetween80and87each,allfromaracinggreyhoundownernamedSeamusDooley.
Thirty-threedogswerepurchasedin2013.The recordsmakeclearthatallofthedogswerealivewhenpurchasedandkilledbytheUniversityfortheexpresspurposeofteachinganatomytoveterinarystudents.
AsmanyBritishracinggreyhoundsarereturnedto Irelandwhennolongerwanted92,theycouldbevictimsofMrDooleyslucrativetrade.
The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change 29
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Table 3: Numbers of greyhounds used for teaching and research purposes since 2006.
UniversityNumber of greyhounds used 2006 to present
Royal Veterinary College 30093
Liverpool University 93-9594
University of Cambridge 7095
University of Edinburgh 2096
University of Bristol 6497
University of Nottingham 898
University of Glasgow 3-499
University College Dublin 212100
3.5 Failure of self-regulation
Thisreportmakesclearthatself-regulationhasnotandisnotworkingtoprotectgreyhoundwelfare.
FurtherevidenceisprovidedbytheGBGBs2012 annualreportwhichshowsthatalthoughgreyhound welfarewasthemostcommoncategoryofcomplaint receivedthatyear,lessthan25%ofcomplaintswereacted upon101.Evenwhentrainersandownersarefoundguiltyofneglect,crueltyordruggingtheirdogs,the penaltieshandedoutbytheGBGBarepitifuland providenodeterrenttofutureoffending.
Greyhoundsintheindependentsectorreceiveeven lessprotectionunderself-regulationasthestatutoryrequirementsdonotincludeevenbasicsafeguards suchaskennelinspections,drugtestingandretirementprovisions.ThelackoflawsandregulationsforthewelfareofgreyhoundsinWalesandScotlandisanevengreatercauseforconcern.AstheWelfareofRacingGreyhoundRegulations2010onlycoverEngland,dogsracingonindependenttracksinWalesandScotlandreceivenoprotectionexceptbasicanimalwelfarelaws.
Theinconsistenciesanderrorsinindustryfiguresandpublicationsuncoveredduringtheproductionofthis reportfurtherhighlighttheinabilityoftheindustryto protectgreyhoundseffectively.Moreover,thecontinuedlackofdataavailableonimportantissuessuchasinjuryratesandoutcomes,importationofdogsfromIrelandandtheexactnumberofsurplusdogsproducedeachyearaswellaswhatbecomesofthemsuggests thateitherthepublicisbeingkeptinthedark deliberatelyortheregulatingbodiesaresoincompetentthattheygenuinelydonotknowwhatishappeninginthesecrucialaspectsoftheindustry.
30 The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change
-
LordDonoughuesreporthighlightedtheimportanceoftransparencyandaccountabilityforprotectinggreyhoundwelfare,stating:
Goodwelfareisderivedfromgoodregulationandgoodregulationisderivedfromhavingthecorrect governancestructuresinplace...thewholeproposition isdependentonrobust,adequateandtransparentfunding.
TheGreyhoundBoardofGreatBritainwasestablishedtoaddressLordDonoughuesconcernsonthisissue.Yet,sinceitsinceptionin2009,theGBGBhasnotpublishedastrategicplanoutliningspecificmeasuresitwilltake,orhastaken,tosafeguardgreyhoundwelfarenoranyfiguresongreyhoundinjuryandretirement.Thisstonewallinghasleftsomeintheindustry,aswellasgreyhoundwelfareorganisations,deeplysuspiciousoftheGBGBanditscommitmenttogreyhoundwelfare.
Thereisaviewbeingwidelyexpressedthat earmarkedfundscurrentlybeinggeneratedwithin theindustryarenotsufficientlyfindingtheirwayto caringforgreyhounds.
GreyhoundTrainersAssociation, StatementofCase,9thMay2014102
Wearesimplynotgettingtheinformationand statisticsthatwekeeprequesting,Barry(Faulkner)ChiefExecutiveofGBGBignoresourrequestsorsendsusroundthehousestohisChairman(MauriceWatkins)ortootherofficials.Itsnolongerworking.Wewanttoknowwhatshappeningtoallthegreyhoundsthatretireeachyear...nomatterhowweaskthequestion,MrFaulknerwontansweritandIhavehadenough...Imtiredofbeingpattedonthehead.
ClarissaBaldwinOBE,ChiefExecutiveofDogsTrust andchairoftheGreyhoundForum,RacingPost,
February2014103
TheGreyhoundTrainersAssociationannouncedin May2014thatitiscallingforaFormalIndependent ReviewoftheGreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain toincludeanauditofLordDonoughues recommendations104,demonstratinghowlittle haschangedwithinthisindustrysince2007.
The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change 31
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4 What Future? 4.1 Decline of the British
greyhound racing industry
NoonecandenythattheBritishgreyhoundindustryisinfastdecline.LordDonoughuereportedanattendancefigureof3.2millionforlicensedtracksin2006105, but by2012thatnumberhaddeclinedto2million106, a decreaseof38%.
Thisdropinattendanceimpactsonthenumberof viabletracks,leadingtoadropinthenumberoflicensed tracksinBritainfrom30in2006to24today.Eventheremaininggreyhoundtracksarestrugglingtoturnaprofit,witharecentGBGBreportrevealingthat,withouttheincomefromadditionalactivitiessuchasmotorsport,carbootsalesandon-sitenightclubs,restaurantsandhotels,therewouldbean overall negative movement of cash from these businesses107. Independenttrackshavealsofacedclosures,with14operatingin2006andonlyninetoday.
Fewertracksneedfewertrainersandonly835 registeredwiththeGBGBin2013,comparedto975 in2010,adeclineof14%108.Moreworryinglyfortheindustry,45%ofcurrenttrainersareagedover60 whileonly9%areaged40oryounger109.
Thedecreaseinlicensedtrainersislinkedtoa similardecreaseinthenumberofdogslicensedto runonGBGBtracks,down14%in2013(7,500dogs) comparedto2009(8,672dogs).Thecontinueddeclineingreyhoundnumbershasledtoanincreaseinthenumberofracestakingplacewithoutthefullcomplement ofsixrunners.In2013,7,900racestookplacewithfewerthansixrunners110.
AddtothisthecatastrophicdeclineinBritishgreyhoundbreedingoutlinedinsection3.1,andtheindustrysfuturelooksfarfrompromising.Indeed,accordingtoaGBGBsurveyconductedin2013,54%ofgreyhoundownersarenotconfidentaboutthefutureofracing111.
Themajordeclineinracecourseattendance figures,combinedwithincreasedalternativebettingopportunities,hasledtoadeclineingreyhoundbettingrevenue.AccordingtotheGBGBs2014reportontheeconomicimpactsoftheindustry,thegrosswinfromBritishgreyhoundracing(themoneynotwonbybettersandthusretainedbythebettingagencies)was237m in2012/13,down21%from300min2008/09112.
ThishasaprofoundimpactonthefundingavailableforlicensedgreyhoundracingastheBritishGreyhoundRacingFund(BGRF)theofficialfundingbodyforlicensedracingisfinancedentirelythroughavoluntarylevyonbookmakers113.Currently92%ofbetting officescontribute0.6%oftheirannualgreyhound bettingturnovertotheBGRF,amountingtoanincome of8min2013114.
Thismoneyisthenallocatedtodifferentaspectsoftheindustry,includingwelfare,integrity,marketingandprizemoney.
Whileitisdifficulttohavesympathywithbetting agenciesdwindlingprofits,thedeclineinrevenue theyreceivefromgreyhoundbettingdoesimpactongreyhoundwelfare.TheBGRFsincome,andthereforethemoneyavailabletothelicensedgreyhoundindustry,hasdeclinedby43%115since2008whenitpeakedat14m116.
Thisincomewillshrinkbyafurther800,000in2014asBetfairhasnowwithdrawnitsfundingfromtheBGRF117.AccordingtoTomKelly,BGRFchairman,thewithdrawalofBetfairmoneyisundermining its ability to support greyhound welfare, especially the rehoming of retired dogs118,demonstratingthattheindustryisquicktocutwelfareprovisionsinfavourofprofits.
However,thelatestfinancialfiguresfortheGBGB,whichisfundeddirectlybytheBGRF,revealthatitmaynotbeabletoprotectitsprofitsmuchlongereither.According toitsannualreports,from2009to2012itsturnover decreasedby26%anditsprofitsdecreasedby98%119.Eventheindustryacknowledgesthatthisdownwardspiralisunsustainable:
GreyhoundracinginBritainhasgotitselfintoaterriblefixwithnosolutioninsight.
EditoroftheGreyhoundStar, October2013120
Itiswidelyrecognisedamongstgrassrootsgreyhoundtrainers,welfareorganisationsandownersthatthesportofgreyhoundracingisinaneverdeepeningcrisis.
GreyhoundTrainersAssociation, StatementofCase,May2014121
32 The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change
-
4.2 The way forward
Thegovernmenthasallowedracingindustrydemandstotakeprecedenceovergreyhoundwelfarefortoolong.Newlegislationmandatingfundamentalchangestoindustrypracticemustbeenactedandenforced.
TheDepartmentforEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairs(DEFRA)hasalreadycommitteditselftoareviewoftheWelfareofRacingGreyhoundsRegulationsin2015andwebelievethatgenuineimprovementsingreyhound welfarewillonlybeachievediftherecommendationsmadeinthe2007APGAWreportarenowimplementedinfull.
Specifically,wearecallingonParliamenttodemand industryactionontheissuesofoverbreedingandsurplusdogs;tracksafetyandinjuryrates;druguse;greyhoundtrackingandadoptionasoutlinedatthebeginningofthisreport.
WeurgeParliamentandthegreyhoundracingindustrytodemonstrateagenuinecommitmenttosafeguardingthewelfareofgreyhoundsfromthecradletothegravebyembracingandimplementingourfullsetof recommendations.
Untilsuchtime,greyhoundracinghasnoplaceina nationthatvaluesanimalwelfareashighlyasBritonsdo.
Attendance at GBGB tracks down 38% since 2006
Greyhound welfare declines
Gross gambling win down 21% since 2009
Licensed industry income down 43% since 2008
As the licensed greyhound
industry is funded almost
exclusively from betting
revenue, declines in the sports
popularity have a direct impact
on greyhound welfare.
The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change 33
-
References 1 Donoughue(2007).IndependentReviewof
theGreyhoundIndustryinGreatBritain. http://tinyurl.com/pnuqcbl
2 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain.FrequentlyAskedQuestions.http://tinyurl.com/no5cxtv
3 GreyhoundPredictor.BritishGreyhoundTrack RaceLengths.http://tinyurl.com/pr9g3yb
4 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain.Tracksearch.http://tinyurl.com/pyonkfg
5 GreyhoundPredictor.BritishGreyhoundTrackRaceLengths.http://tinyurl.com/pr9g3yb
6 Foggo,D.(2006).Killingfieldofthedogracing industry.TheSundayTimes,16thJuly. http://tinyurl.com/o2v648h
7 Ibid
8 Ibid
9 TheAssociatedParliamentaryGroupforAnimal Welfare(2007).TheWelfareofGreyhounds: ReportoftheAPGAWinquiryintothewelfareissuessurroundingracinggreyhoundsinEngland. http://tinyurl.com/cz4xphr
10 Ibid
11 Ibid
12 Donoughue(2007).IndependentReviewofthe GreyhoundIndustryinGreatBritain. http://tinyurl.com/pnuqcbl
13 GreyhoundStudBook.BreedingUpdate:2013. http://tinyurl.com/ooja5rf
14 NationalGreyhoundRacingClub,(2007).Snapshot oftheNGRC:Hownumberstellastory.NGRC Calendar,March9th.
15 Ibid
16 IndeconInternationalConsultants(2014).ReviewofcertainmattersrelatingtoBordnagCon.SubmittedtotheDepartmentforAgriculture,FoodandtheMarine.http://tinyurl.com/kenuk8n
17 TheAssociatedParliamentaryGroupforAnimal Welfare(2007).TheWelfareofGreyhounds: ReportoftheAPGAWinquiryintothewelfare issuessurroundingracinggreyhoundsinEngland.http://tinyurl.com/cz4xphr
18 Donoughue(2007).IndependentReviewof theGreyhoundIndustryinGreatBritain. http://tinyurl.com/pnuqcbl
19 TheAssociatedParliamentaryGroupforAnimal Welfare(2007).TheWelfareofGreyhounds: ReportoftheAPGAWinquiryintothewelfareissuessurroundingracinggreyhoundsinEngland. http://tinyurl.com/cz4xphr
20 Cremin,J.(2013)Hopeandthequestforglorymustbepromoted.RacingPost.http://tinyurl.com/q5oxh8o
21 IndeconInternationalConsultants(2014).ReviewofcertainmattersrelatingtoBordnagCon.SubmittedtotheDepartmentforAgriculture,FoodandtheMarine.http://tinyurl.com/kenuk8n
22 Ibid
23 Donoughue(2007).IndependentReviewof theGreyhoundIndustryinGreatBritain. http://tinyurl.com/pnuqcbl
24 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain(2014). EconomicimpactoftheBritishgreyhoundracingindustry.http://tinyurl.com/nr277rv
25 Donoughue(2007).IndependentReviewof theGreyhoundIndustryinGreatBritain. http://tinyurl.com/pnuqcbl
26 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain(2014).EconomicimpactoftheBritishgreyhoundracingindustry. http://tinyurl.com/nr277rv
27 Donoughue(2007).IndependentReviewofthe GreyhoundIndustryinGreatBritain. http://tinyurl.com/pnuqcbl
28 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain(2014). EconomicimpactoftheBritishgreyhoundracingindustry.http://tinyurl.com/nr277rv
29 Donoughue(2007).IndependentReviewofthe GreyhoundIndustryinGreatBritain. http://tinyurl.com/pnuqcbl
30 Ibid
34 The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change
-
31 Ibid
32 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain(2013).RulesofRacing.http://tinyurl.com/oqu3sfm
33 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain.VeterinaryKennelInspectionshttp://tinyurl.com/pakdajj
34 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain(2012).Annualreport.
35 Pitt,C.(2013).Oldgradersdontjustfadeaway. BOSMagazine,June4th.
36 Rooney,N.J.(2012).Welfareofracinggreyhounds-prioritisationofissues.PosterpresentedatUniversitiesFederationforAnimalWelfareconference.
37 SocietyofGreyhoundVeterinarians(2011). Newsletter:SummerEdition. http://tinyurl.com/pcnu38f
38 DEFRA(2010).ExplanatoryMemorandumtothe WelfareofRacingGreyhoundsRegulations. http://tinyurl.com/pg2tdn8
39 DEFRA(2009).Summaryofresponsestothe consultationontheWelfareofRacingGreyhoundsRegulations2010from30April2009to22July2009.http://tinyurl.com/nf9hgaq
40 Ibid
41 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain(2012). Annualreport.
42 Ainsworth,A.(2013).AmandasDiary.GreyhoundStar,September.
43 GreyhoundRescueWestofEngland(2010).WirralRacingGreyhoundTrainersentencedtolifetimebanandsuspended4monthcustodialsentenceafterpleadingguiltytochargesofneglectandcrueltytotwenty-ninedogs.http://tinyurl.com/psn2dp8
44 LiverpoolEcho(2010).WirralgreyhoundownerIanStreetbannedforlifefromkeepinganimals.February,23rd.http://tinyurl.com/q42levz
45 KingsleyNapley(2013).CaseUpdate:ChristopherCroninvGreyhoundBoardofGreatBritainLtd[2013]EWCACiv668.http://tinyurl.com/nkqujw6
46 Jeory,T.(2012).Dogkennelsbrandeddisgusting.DailyExpress.http://tinyurl.com/oauz9px
47 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain(2013).DisciplinaryCommitteeInquiries,November5th. http://tinyurl.com/opxrqwm
48 NewZealandGreyhoundRacingAssociation(2013).IndependentWelfareReview. http://tinyurl.com/ohtb8dm
49 TheAssociatedParliamentaryGroupforAnimal Welfare(2007).TheWelfareofGreyhounds: ReportoftheAPGAWinquiryintothewelfareissuessurroundingracinggreyhoundsinEngland. http://tinyurl.com/cz4xphr
50 Ibid
51 GreyhoundScene(2013).GeneralGreyhound BoardsGREYHOUNDDISCUSSIONCov. ThreadactiveAugust2013. http://greyhoundscene.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action= display&thread=52387
52 GreyhoundScene(2013).GeneralGreyhoundBoardsGREYHOUNDDISCUSSIONStarsoflast18monthsinjured.ThreadstartedSept25th2013. http://greyhoundscene.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=53171&page=1
53 GreyhoundScene(2013).GeneralGreyhoundBoardsGREYHOUNDDISCUSSIONCov.Thread activeAugust2013.http://greyhoundscene.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=52387
54 DEFRA(2009.)Summaryofresponsestothe consultationontheWelfareofRacingGreyhoundsRegulations2010from30April2009to22July2009.http://tinyurl.com/nf9hgaq
55 Robinson,C.(2009).RSPCAResponsetoDEFRAconsultationonproposalsforwelfareofracing greyhounds.
56 NewZealandGreyhoundRacingAssociation(2013).IndependentWelfareReview.http://tinyurl.com/oht-b8dm
57 Ibid
58 GreyhoundTrainersAssociation(2014).StatementofCase.May13th.http://tinyurl.com/l93lrbm
The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change 35
-
59 GreyhoundScene(2013).GeneralGreyhoundBoardsGREYHOUNDDISCUSSIONStarsoflast18monthsinjured.ThreadstartedSept25th,2013.http://greyhoundscene.proboards.com/index.cgi?action= display&board=general&thread=53171&page=1
60 GreyhoundScene(2013).GeneralGreyhoundBoardsGREYHOUNDDISCUSSIONINCREASEIN INJURIESATANUMBEROFTRACKS.Thread startedJuly13th,2013.http://greyhoundscene.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action= display&thread=52260
61 Ibid
62 EasingtonGreyhoundStadium.RacingInjuries. http://tinyurl.com/o5hpskj
63 Rooney,N.J.(2012).Welfareofracinggreyhoundsprioritisationofissues.Posterpresentedat UniversitiesFederationforAnimalWelfare conference.
64 DEFRA(2010).ExplanatoryMemorandumtothe WelfareofRacingGreyhoundsRegulations. http://tinyurl.com/pg2tdn8
65 IddonJ.,LockyerR.H.andFreanS.P.(2014).Theeffectofseasonandtrackconditiononinjuryrateinracinggreyhounds.JournalofSmallAnimalPractice,EarlyViewonline:2ndMay2014.
66 Hercock,C.A.(2010).Specialisationforfast locomotion:performance,costandrisk.UnpublishedPhDthesis.
67 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain(2011).ATrainersGuidetoMedicationControlinGreyhounds. http://tinyurl.com/ntmqssw
68 GreyhoundRegulationWorkingGroup(Wales)(2008).1stMeeting,September2nd.
69 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain(2010).ReportoftheIndependentAnti-dopingandMedicationControlReviewofCurrentGBGBAnti-dopingandMedicationRulesandtheirImplementation.http://tinyurl.com/ nnv4zop
70 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain.Norethisterone.http://tinyurl.com/ot8el2q
71 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain.Disciplinary CommitteeHearings.http://tinyurl.com/ohqtpbg
72 GreyhoundsceneTopic:Trainerfined1kfor4thdrugbreachofrules
73 DailyMail(2011).GreyhoundtrainerbannedfromkeepinganimalsaftergivingdogsViagraand cannabis.August10th.http://tinyurl.com/njte9ux
74 Ainsworth,A.(2013).AmandasDiary.GreyhoundStar,October2013.
75 Rooney,N.J.(2012).Welfareofracinggreyhoundsprioritisationofissues.Posterpresentedat UniversitiesFederationforAnimalWelfare conference.
76 Watts,M.(2010).CommitteeforAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.OfficialHansardReport.WelfareofAnimalsBill:CountrysideAllianceIrelandhttp://tinyurl.com/o4r88qj
77 DogsTrust(2013).StrayDogsSurvey2013:AreportpreparedforDogsTrust.http://tinyurl.com/qxr25qu
78 RetiredGreyhoundTrust(2012).Trusteesreportandaccounts.http://tinyurl.com/qeu3aw9
79 Ibid
80 TheAssociatedParliamentaryGroupforAnimal Welfare(2007).TheWelfareofGreyhounds: ReportoftheAPGAWinquiryintothewelfareissuessurroundingracinggreyhoundsinEngland.http://tinyurl.com/cz4xphr
81 DEFRA(2010).ExplanatoryMemorandumtothe WelfareofRacingGreyhoundsRegulations. http://tinyurl.com/pg2tdn8
82 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain.RetirementFormforGBGB-RegisteredGreyhounds.http://tinyurl.com/q2kn4kt
83 FoggoD.(2008).Knackersyarddisposesof unwantedgreyhoundsfor20.TheSundayTimes,November2nd.http://tinyurl.com/c75l7a9
84 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain.RetirementFormforGBGB-RegisteredGreyhounds.http://tinyurl.com/q2kn4kt
85 GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain.Retirement&Care.http://tinyurl.com/pdlx53p
86 Ainsworth,A.(2011).Amandasdiary.GreyhoundStar,July.
36 The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change
-
87 Foggo,D.(2008).Greyhoundbreederoffersslowdogstobekilledforresearch.TheSundayTimes,May11th.http://tinyurl.com/budgb3j
88 Foggo,D.(2008).Vetssecrettradeindogbodyparts.TheSundayTimes,March2nd.http://tinyurl.com/p784wdr
89 Jackson,S.(2013).RoyalVeterinaryCollegereplytoGREY2KUSAWorldwideFoIrequest.July11th.
90 Qureshi,Y.(2010).30injuredgreyhoundsputdownatdogtrack.ManchesterEveningNews,27thApril.http://tinyurl.com/nzj848c
91 Foggo,D.(2008).Greyhoundbreederoffersslowdogstobekilledforresearch.TheSundayTimes,May11th.http://tinyurl.com/budgb3j
92 TheAssociatedParliamentaryGroupforAnimal Welfare(2007).TheWelfareofGreyhounds:ReportoftheAPGAWinquiryintothewelfareissues surroundingracinggreyhoundsinEngland. http://tinyurl.com/cz4xphr
93 Jackson,S.,RoyalVeterinaryCollege(2013).ReplytoGREY2KUSAWorldwideFoIrequest.July11th.
94 Jackson,L.,UniversityofLiverpool(2013).ResponsetoGREY2KUSAWorldwideFoIrequest.July5th.
95 Knapton,J.,UniversityofCambridge(2013). ResponsetoGREY2KUSAWorldwideFoIrequest.July9th.
96 Golightley,L.,UniversityofEdinburgh(2008). ResponsetoFoIrequestmadebyTrudyBaker. July28th.
97 Morrison,M.,UniversityofBristol(2013).Response toGREY2KUSAWorldwideFoIrequest.July15th.
98 Warry,C.,UniversityofNottingham(2013).ResponsetoGREY2KUSAWorldwideFoIrequest.June21st.
99 DataProtectionandFreedomofInformationOffice,UniversityofGlasgow(2013).ResponsetoGREY2KUSAWorldwideFoIRequest.June28th.
100Hogan,M.,UniversityCollegeDublin(2013). ResponsetoFoIrequestmadebyKimStallwood.December5th.
101GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain(2012). Annualreport.
102GreyhoundTrainersAssociation(2014).StatementofCase.May13th.http://tinyurl.com/l93lrbm
103 Ibid
104 Ibid
105Donoughue(2007).IndependentReviewofthe GreyhoundIndustryinGreatBritain. http://tinyurl.com/pnuqcbl
106GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain(2014).EconomicimpactoftheBritishgreyhoundracingindustry. http://tinyurl.com/nr277rv
107 Ibid
108 Ibid
109 Ibid
110 Ibid
111GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain(2013).GBGBOwnershipResearch.http://tinyurl.com/o3msxng
112 Ibid
113Donoughue(2007).IndependentReviewofthe GreyhoundIndustryinGreatBritain. http://tinyurl.com/pnuqcbl
114Davy,L.(2013).BetfairurgedtosupportgreyhoundracingintheUK.CalvinAyre.com,September25th.http://tinyurl.com/nptcx3o
115BritishGreyhoundRacingFund(2013).AnnualReport2012-2013.http://tinyurl.com/la2zsdw
116BritishGreyhoundRacingFund(2008).AnnualReport2008.
117Cremin,J.(2014).APPGGaimstorestoreBetfairsFundpayments.RacingPost,February,28th. http://tinyurl.com/nrrd83n
118 Ibid
119GreyhoundBoardofGreatBritain(2012). Annualreport.
120GreyhoundStar(2013).FromtheEditorsChair. October,2013.
121GreyhoundTrainersAssociation(2014).Statement ofCase.May13th.http://tinyurl.com/l93lrbm
The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change 37
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Acknowledgements
TheLeagueAgainstCruelSportsandGREY2KUSAWorldwidewouldliketothankthefollowingindividualsandorganisationsfortheircontributionstothisreport:
MrKimStallwood
GreytExploitations
GreyhoundCompassion
TheRoyalSocietyforthePreventionof CrueltytoAnimals(RSPCA)
38 The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change
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Some of the lucky greyhounds that have found happy homes in the UK
Photos:Grey2KUSAWorldwide
The state of greyhound racing in Great Britain l A mandate for change 39
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League Against Cruel Sports NewSparlingHouse,HollowayHill, Godalming,Surrey,GU71QZUKTel:01483524250 www.league.org.uk
@LeagueACS
LeagueAgainstCruelSports
Leagueagainstcruelsports
CharityNo:1095234
Grey2KUSAWorldwide P.O.BoxF,Arlington, MA02476,USATel:0017814883526www.grey2kusa.org
@Grey2KUSA
Grey2KUSA
Grey2KUSA
FEIN04-3554776
EmmaMilneandAnnetteCrosbiewithrescuedgreyhounds.