Why is greyhound racing bad

There is an ongoing lack of transparency from much of the greyhound racing industry with incomplete and inconsistent reporting on the outcomes for greyhounds. However, from the statistics available, it is clear that thousands of greyhounds are still euthanased by the greyhound racing industry in Australia every year.

The high numbers of greyhounds thousands each year moving through the system with a variety of needs and suitability for rehoming mean that not all ex-racing greyhounds can be adopted in Australia through industry greyhound adoption programs or non-Industry groups.

The routine use of surgical artificial insemination AI methods on female breeding greyhounds is an additional animal welfare problem associated with breeding. Surgical AI is highly invasive involving surgery and general anaesthesia and causes significant pain to the female dog. In some EU countries, surgical AI is banned as it is considered ethically unacceptable.

Injuries are very common in greyhound racing and are a major cause of wastage. Injuries are a major animal welfare issue as they cause pain, suffering and distress to the affected animals. Various types of injuries are regularly reported including serious bone fractures and muscle injuries. Other injuries sustained relate to physical over-exertion such as hypoxic fits seizures due to a lack of oxygen , heat stress-related injury and collapsing post-race.

The first turn of the racetrack is a common site for accidents or collisions to occur. Serious injuries can lead to death on the track or euthanasia. Injury statistics are not published for all tracks nationally but based on industry figures hundreds of greyhounds are injured every month on greyhound tracks during races across Australia. Additional injuries will occur during pre-training, training, trialling and non-TAB races, however these statistics are generally not published.

It is important to note that injuries may be detected post-race day and these injuries may not be formally recorded. Many greyhound puppies and adult greyhounds are never adequately socialised, either with other dogs or with humans.

Dogs that are socially deprived are more likely to develop fearfulness and antisocial behaviour which impacts negatively on their welfare. Lack of adequate socialisation may also make it more difficult to rehome retired or unwanted greyhounds.

Inadequate housing conditions and a lack of environmental enrichment is another key animal welfare issue for many greyhounds with many greyhounds being kept in small, barren, single-dog kennels for prolonged periods of time. The routine and regular use of inhumane anti-barking muzzles on greyhounds is also a major concern.

Various pharmaceutical substances have been administered to racing greyhounds in the quest for enhanced performance and increased potential to win races. The controls that do exist came at the insistence of humane organizations. Now the humane community is united in its view that this languishing industry must stop its mistreatment of dogs.

Amendment 13, backed by the Humane Society of the United States, Grey2K USA Worldwide, the Doris Day Animal League and other organizations, and overwhelmingly supported by Florida voters in , included a month phase-out period to close the 11 dog racing tracks in operation in the state. As of January 1, , dog racing is illegal in Florida. Approximately 4, dogs were adopted into loving homes as a result and we provided grants to a number of shelter and rescue organizations that were critical in treating the dogs for a variety of medical issues prior to finding them permanent adoptive homes.

Greyhound racing FAQ. Alamy Stock Photo. Contents What is wrong with greyhound racing? Does greyhound racing contribute to dog overpopulation? How does the American public feel about greyhound racing? Is greyhound racing inhumane?

Are dogs injured in greyhound racing? Are there other welfare concerns with greyhound racing? Is the greyhound industry in decline? Does greyhound racing cost taxpayers money? Are racing greyhounds drugged? Are greyhounds used in racing given anabolic steroids?

What are racing greyhounds fed? Is disease transmission a concern with greyhound racing? Does greyhound racing help the economy? Why would greyhound trainers treat the dogs they rely upon in an inhumane way? What was Florida's Amendment 13? What is wrong with greyhound racing? Sonia Stratemann. Back to top Does greyhound racing contribute to dog overpopulation? Back to top How does the American public feel about greyhound racing?

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Jeff Sonksen. Back to top Is greyhound racing inhumane? Sarasota Kennel Club. Back to top At Southland Greyhound Park in Arkansas, 1, greyhound injuries were reported between January and April , including at least 35 dogs that died or were euthanized. Back to top Are there other welfare concerns with greyhound racing? Back to top Is the greyhound industry in decline?

Back to top Does greyhound racing cost taxpayers money? When regulatory costs are taken into consideration, it is likely that states are losing money on greyhound racing Back to top Are racing greyhounds drugged? Tracks are closing, people are more aware about the cruelty of dog racing, and interests have turned to other forms of gambling. There is a steep decline in public attendance, and many tracks have no audience at all watching the dog races. There has been a significant decline in wagering on greyhound racing in Macau, the U.

In Australia, only 65 tracks remain open of the over tracks they once had. Only half the tracks are now open in New Zealand, and less than half the tracks are open in the U. In China, the only legal race track was the Canidrome in Macau — but it closed last year. Read the full history of dog racing in the U. View the Greyhound Racing in the U. See the Humane Issues in Dog Racing. See Greyhound Racing Around the World. Only five U. Dog racing is still legal in four U.

All dog tracks in these four states have closed and ceased, but a prohibitory statue has yet to be enacted. In the remaining 41 states, commercial dog racing is completely illegal.

The United States Territory of Guam also outlawed commercial dog racing in The following are the most recent U. In these states, gamblers are supporting the dog racing industry even though there is no active dog track in their community. Similarly, these simulcast signals depend on the existence of dog tracks in other states. As a non-profit entity, they work to pass stronger greyhound protection laws and end the cruelty of dog racing on both national and international levels. They also promote the rescue and adoption of greyhounds across the globe.

USA D. They are not affiliated with any other organization s , do not receive funding from any corporation, foundation, humane society or race track.

USA Defenders of Greyhounds is one of the oldest and largest rescue organizations in the country, and one of a very few multi-state groups which is totally independent from all aspects of the dog racing industry. Friends of Retired Greyhounds, www. Friends of Retired Greyhounds is a c3 non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to cooperating with kennel operators and other adoption groups to place retired racing greyhounds in responsible, loving, forever homes. They work with veterinarians to insure that dogs adopted from them are altered, vaccinated, and in good health before placing them in homes.

They educate individuals and groups about greyhounds, their history, their lives as racing dogs, and about their adoption program.