Swindon MP calls for end to 'cruel' greyhound racing

North Swindon MP Will Stone and MPs from across the political spectrum joined animal welfare charities Dogs Trust and Blue Cross to condemn greyhound racing.

The special event in Parliament, sponsored by Mr Stone, was organised to show support for the charities' call to greyhound racing across the UK. 

Opponents of greyhound racing highlight deaths and serious injuries suffered by hundreds of greyhounds each year.

At the event, the charities raised awareness of the plight of racing greyhounds and discussed the welfare issues faced by dogs used in the greyhound racing industry. 

Mr Stone said afterwards: “Having recently met Cricket, an injured ex-racing greyhound in the care of Blue Cross, I am deeply troubled by the level of suffering endured by greyhounds in the racing industry. 

"It is clear that this is a system that can no longer be justified in the UK, we are a modern, compassionate society who love our dogs and want to keep them safe. 

"I fully support Dogs Trust and Blue Cross in calling for a phased and fair ban on greyhound racing, and I will be working with colleagues in Parliament to help bring an end to this cruelty.”

Between 2018 and 2023, more than 2,700 greyhounds died or were put down following their participation in greyhound racing across the UK. Dogs Trust and Blue Cross share the views of many animal welfare organisations that greyhound racing is inherently dangerous for the dogs involved, and that running at speed around oval tracks causes significant injury to many dogs. 

In some cases, the injuries are so severe that it is necessary to euthanise the dog. 

Further to the deaths and injuries at greyhound racing tracks, there are concerns about the welfare of racing greyhounds at every stage of their lives, including issues around inadequate welfare standards in kennelling and transporting dogs. 

Some of the dogs used in racing are kept in poor, barren conditions, with little if any enrichment and fed a poor diet, and there are concerns about the general health of the dogs involved in racing. 

Significant concerns also exist about the greyhound racing industry's operation, including disjointed and ineffective oversight, a lack of transparency regarding industry practices, and concerns about the enforcement of regulatory standards.  

Support for bringing greyhound racing to an end is building across the UK. In February, the Welsh Government announced greyhound racing would be banned as soon as possible, and in Scotland, Mark Ruskell MSP has introduced his Member’s Bill, the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill, which, if adopted, will make it an offence to permit the racing of greyhounds at racetracks in Scotland. 

Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust said: “Over the past six years, more than 2,700 dogs have lost their lives in the UK in the name of entertainment, with many more suffering serious or life-changing injuries. 

"This is unacceptable, and we are pleased to have the support of Will Stone, MP, and so many of his colleagues as we continue to call for greyhound racing to come to an end. 

“It is unacceptable that so many dogs die or are seriously injured every year, all in the name of entertainment. England stands alongside only a handful of countries, including Scotland and Northern Ireland, where this outdated and inhumane practice persists. 

"The Government must take the only meaningful action to stop this cruelty: end greyhound racing once and for all." 

Chris Burghes, Chief Executive of Blue Cross said: “There can be no mistaking that the consequences for dogs involved in greyhound racing are serious. The existence of many racing greyhounds is miserable, from birth until death. 

"With injuries and death rife on the track, there is no justification for the continued exploitation of these animals.

“Whilst we dread the release of the statistics for 2024, we are grateful to Will Stone MP and all his colleagues that recognise these injuries and deaths are not acceptable and have come out to support our call for an end to greyhound racing.” 

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and cares for around 13,000 dogs every year across its network of 21 rehoming centres in the UK and one in Dublin. Dogs Trust has a non-destruction policy and will never put a healthy dog to sleep. 

The charity also focuses its efforts on understanding dogs and sharing that knowledge with the wider public to prevent problem behaviours that can result in relinquishment or abandonment. It says it is working toward the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction. 

Blue Cross is a charity that has been helping sick, injured and homeless pets since 1897. Every month it helps thousands of pets - and their people - with specialist care, and offers lifelong support and advice.