THE BLUE Cross has launched a new campaign to highlight the plight of racing greyhounds in a bid to end the sport within five years.
The charity, which has a rehoming centre in Bromsgrove, offers tips on ‘how to pick a winning greyhound’ but the technique has nothing to do with betting – instead it is having a happy, healthy, family pet.
The charity says these signs are ‘unlikely to be seen in racing dogs living a lonely life in kennels or forced to risk serious injury or death every time they race alongside other greyhounds at high speed, around dangerous oval tracks for entertainment’.
The ads have featured on vans passing the areas of several racetracks across the UK including Doncaster and Romford.
The Blue Cross says the racing industry’s own statistics show 2,239 dogs died between 2018 and 2022 and there were a staggering 22,284 reported injuries.
‘Becoming less popular’
A survey conducted by the charity to gauge feelings around greyhound racing showed 91 per cent of the British public neither followed or participated in greyhound racing and just 14 per cent considered greyhound racing as part of British culture.
The Blue Cross is now urging pet lovers to call on the government for a ban by signing its petition to bring an end to greyhound racing.
Becky Thwaites, the Blue Cross’ head of public affairs, said: “There are only 10 countries in the world where greyhound racing is still legal, four are in the UK.
“The avoidable injury or death of just one dog is a tragedy and that is why this so-called ‘sport’ has to end.
“Instead of many puppies forced to grow up alone in a cold kennel with an inevitably miserable future before their retirement, let’s see them grow up in loving homes as much-loved pets where they can enjoy a cuddle on the sofa.”
The charity says many racing greyhounds retire at a young age or due to injury with thousands ending up looking for a home through outlets, including the Blue Cross.
Mum and daughter ex-racers Betty and Dolly were found new homes by Blue Cross in Bromsgrove after their owner fell ill and could no longer care for them.
While Betty and Dolly had been well cared for when they were racers, the reality is different for many other dogs like them.
Danielle Stean, Bromsgrove Blue Cross animal welfare assistant, said: “People often get the wrong impression that greyhounds need loads of exercise when in reality they’re really easy.
“They’re very much home dogs.”
The pair are in loving homes but their Blue cross stay was typical of black greyhounds who often struggle to be rehoused as quickly as other colours and breeds.
The average stay for a greyhound last year was almost double that of other breeds and black greyhounds can wait even longer – in 2023, almost eight times longer.
Visit bluecross.org.uk/EndGreyhoundRacing for more on the Blue Cross and its End Greyhound Racing campaign.
