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Every single year tens of thousands of dogs are killed by the British greyhound racing industry either because they are not strong enough runners, or they have past their physical best.

In the UK each year, about 25,000 greyhound puppies are registered for the racing industry. Thousands more pups are either unregistered, or killed in infancy because because they fail to reach racing standards. Most of these dogs are bred in Ireland, with the majority produced to supply the British greyhound racing industry.

The likelyhood of racing dogs suffering during their racing careers is high. It has been estimated that more than 12,000 injuries every year are sustained by greyhounds running on British tracks, and that 10% of dogs are already suffering from injuries when they race. In particular, injured toes, torn muscles, strained tendons and arthritic joints are commonplace.

At least 10,000 greyhounds “retire” from racing in the UK every year due to age or injury, at an average age of just 2 ½ years old.

The British greyhound racing industry has itself admitted that 500 - 1,000 healthy retired greyhounds are put to death every year. This alone would be enough to justify a ban on greyhound racing, but in reality the true figure for retired dogs killed is far higher, at approximately 6,000. The methods used to kill thbe dogs include drowning and poisoning because some owners and trainers are not prepared to pay the cost of having them put to sleep by a vet.

Of course there are some “owners” and trainers who love their dogs and take good care of them for the whole of their natural lives. But tragically this only applies to a small minority of the thousands of dogs which enter racing, and the thousands more that are put to death before even reaching the track.

Shockingly, hundreds of "retired" greyhounds are shipped to Spain where they are used for hunting and coursing. Dogs which turn out to be no good for hunting are often brutally disposed of, with hanging being a favourite method.

The only way to prevent the massive suffering and killing of greyhounds caused by the greyhound racing industry is for greyhound racing to be abolished.

It is interesting to note that this has already happened in the USA, where six states have banned greyhound racing since 1993. In the meantime it is important that people avoid attending or betting on greyhound racing, so that it gradually comes to an end through lack of finance and support.

For more information on the industry, please visit Greyhound Action.