Ban Greyhound Racing?

[Evanivitch]

There's a petition making quite a bit of traction on this.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/554073

Personally, I'm all for banning it. It's not the race that I think is dangerous to the dogs (unlike say hurdle racing for horses. Bit over 200 dogs are put down due to track injuries), but the industry that surrounds it sees thousands of dogs needing rehoming. Many of those dogs are poorly socialised and some end up in the hands of abusive owners. Evidence has now appeared of dogs being exported half way around the world to join breeding programs with questionable standards.

Is it even relevant today? I say this as someone that only just became aware that only one track exists in Wales.

[moorx]

Evanivitch said:

There's a petition making quite a bit of traction on this.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/554073

Personally, I'm all for banning it. It's not the race that I think is dangerous to the dogs (unlike say hurdle racing for horses. Bit over 200 dogs are put down due to track injuries), but the industry that surrounds it sees thousands of dogs needing rehoming. Many of those dogs are poorly socialised and some end up in the hands of abusive owners. Evidence has now appeared of dogs being exported half way around the world to join breeding programs with questionable standards.

Is it even relevant today? I say this as someone that only just became aware that only one track exists in Wales.

As someone who has adopted several ex-racing greyhounds, I would be very sorry if I could never own another, but it's a price I would be willing to pay to see greyhound racing banned. Totally pointless in my view. But then I don't understand the appeal of or agree with horse racing either.

[Evanivitch]

moorx said:

As someone who has adopted several ex-racing greyhounds, I would be very sorry if I could never own another, but it's a price I would be willing to pay to see greyhound racing banned. Totally pointless in my view. But then I don't understand the appeal of or agree with horse racing either.

You're a good egg

[Clifford Chambers]

moorx said:

Evanivitch said:

There's a petition making quite a bit of traction on this.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/554073

Personally, I'm all for banning it. It's not the race that I think is dangerous to the dogs (unlike say hurdle racing for horses. Bit over 200 dogs are put down due to track injuries), but the industry that surrounds it sees thousands of dogs needing rehoming. Many of those dogs are poorly socialised and some end up in the hands of abusive owners. Evidence has now appeared of dogs being exported half way around the world to join breeding programs with questionable standards.

Is it even relevant today? I say this as someone that only just became aware that only one track exists in Wales.

As someone who has adopted several ex-racing greyhounds, I would be very sorry if I could never own another, but it's a price I would be willing to pay to see greyhound racing banned. Totally pointless in my view. But then I don't understand the appeal of or agree with horse racing either.

I look like to retirement properly funded, maybe from a tariff at the tracks.

[Thevet]

Evanivitch said:

There's a petition making quite a bit of traction on this.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/554073

Personally, I'm all for banning it. It's not the race that I think is dangerous to the dogs (unlike say hurdle racing for horses. Bit over 200 dogs are put down due to track injuries), but the industry that surrounds it sees thousands of dogs needing rehoming. Many of those dogs are poorly socialised and some end up in the hands of abusive owners. Evidence has now appeared of dogs being exported half way around the world to join breeding programs with questionable standards.

Is it even relevant today? I say this as someone that only just became aware that only one track exists in Wales.

No difference at all to horse racing just size, cost and rich influence. Horses bred to race for human enjoyment, majority disposed of when no longer needed. Dogs get broken when racing, so do horses. Many people adopt the unwanted when they inevitably arise but that doesn't mean there won't be greyhounds or thoroughbreds to adopt if the industry was stopped.

[hotchy]

My friend just adopted a greyhound 2 weeks ago. Apart from it being the sleepiest dog on earth, its rediculously friendly. Takes treats too soft that sometimes it drops. Happy we chappy too. Tbh I never seen the appeal of a greyhound before, and now I'm considering going to adopt one aswel. Shes a we cracker.

Edit i realise i just called a girl dog a happy chappy. Habbit after always having male dogs.

[CzechItOut]

Evanivitch said:

but the industry that surrounds it sees thousands of dogs needing rehoming.

It is far murkier than that.

On average 5,987 dogs are culled (slide 26) each year as they "failed to produce qualifying times" (2,673); "failure to produce desired entry level times" (1,989) and an "unacceptable decline in performance" (1,326) according to a report compiled for the Irish Greyhound Board.

[Evanivitch]

Thevet said:

No difference at all to horse racing just size, cost and rich influence. Horses bred to race for human enjoyment, majority disposed of when no longer needed. Dogs get broken when racing, so do horses. Many people adopt the unwanted when they inevitably arise but that doesn't mean there won't be greyhounds or thoroughbreds to adopt if the industry was stopped.

I take your point, but the lower threshold of access into greyhound racing means there are far more questionable operations with lower welfare standards. That's evidenced by the lack of standards applied to registered racing kennels.

I don't question there'll still be dogs to adopt, greyhounds are a desirable pet breed in my opinion.

Clifford Chambers said:

I look like to retirement properly funded, maybe from a tariff at the tracks.

Currently, the GBGB requires a £500 bond at registration which goes towards this rehoming process.

[moorx]

hotchy said:

My friend just adopted a greyhound 2 weeks ago. Apart from it being the sleepiest dog on earth, its rediculously friendly. Takes treats too soft that sometimes it drops. Happy we chappy too. Tbh I never seen the appeal of a greyhound before, and now I'm considering going to adopt one aswel. Shes a we cracker.

Edit i realise i just called a girl dog a happy chappy. Habbit after always having male dogs.

Great to hear. I can confirm that they are very, very special dogs (I know everyone thinks the same about 'their' breed). I have three sighthounds currently, but really miss having a grey around the house. It may be a bit 'soppy' for some, but I think this poem sums many an ex-racer up perfectly:

I didn't really want you, I wasn't really sure
And I'll admit I had my doubts, when you came through that door.
Not small or cute or fluffy with big soft puppy eyes,
But tall and thin and bony with bald pink bulging thighs.

You weren't the kind I had in mind, not in any way,
Perhaps it would be better if I took you back today,
Before we know each other, it really won't be kind
To keep you here for one more day and then to change my mind.

But against my better judgement I decided you could stay,
And quickly I discovered you were kind in every way.
Your gentleness and patience really stole the show.
"Why these dogs are wonderful, I must let others know!"

You're my gentle giant, who just needed the chance,
To show us all what you could be, to wipe away that history,
Dispel our preconceptions, that put us all to shame,
And so we come to know and love what lies beneath that frame.

And now I've come to understand,
What I missed at the start,
That Greyhounds need that great deep chest,
To house their great big hearts.

[moorx]

Evanivitch said:

Thevet said:

No difference at all to horse racing just size, cost and rich influence. Horses bred to race for human enjoyment, majority disposed of when no longer needed. Dogs get broken when racing, so do horses. Many people adopt the unwanted when they inevitably arise but that doesn't mean there won't be greyhounds or thoroughbreds to adopt if the industry was stopped.

I take your point, but the lower threshold of access into greyhound racing means there are far more questionable operations with lower welfare standards. That's evidenced by the lack of standards applied to registered racing kennels.

I don't question there'll still be dogs to adopt, greyhounds are a desirable pet breed in my opinion.

Without the greyhound racing industry, I'm not sure there would be many greyhounds to adopt. Lurchers possibly, because they would still be popular for certain 'pursuits'. But it was not that long ago that greyhounds (the show strain) appeared on the KC vulnerable breeds list due to low numbers being bred, which is incredible when you consider the number bred for racing, and the numbers killed. Even now, although they don't appear on the vulnerable breeds list, only 53 have been registered with the KC in the last two years. Compare that with whippets (7,207 over the same period).

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/2403/quarte...

Perhaps if greyhound racing was outlawed, there would still be demand for greyhounds and more would be bred as pets, but I'm not sure I would be part of that demand. Never say never and all that, but I haven't bought from a breeder yet, and I'm not planning on starting any time soon. I might make an exception for an Afghan Hound, but my preference would be to adopt from rescue.

[moorx]

CzechItOut said:

Evanivitch said:

but the industry that surrounds it sees thousands of dogs needing rehoming.

It is far murkier than that.

On average 5,987 dogs are culled (slide 26) each year as they "failed to produce qualifying times" (2,673); "failure to produce desired entry level times" (1,989) and an "unacceptable decline in performance" (1,326) according to a report compiled for the Irish Greyhound Board.

Indeed. The dogs that make it to rehoming are the lucky ones. For just one example of killing/culling on an industrial scale, see the 2006 Sunday Times article by Daniel Foggo, on David Smith. I read it once and can't read it again because I find it too upsetting, especially the photographs.

[wiggy001]

Just playing devils advocate, but if we ban greyhound racing then surely we must also ban the meat industry?

[TwigtheWonderkid]

I used to race greyhounds. They beat me every time.

[Teddy Lop]

wiggy001 said:

Just playing devils advocate, but if we ban greyhound racing then surely we must also ban the meat industry?

I guess only the food industry commoditizes animals the same way today - while other examples of working animals remain in farming, policing etc I guess they tend to be personal pets too, and company for their handlers.

[Evanivitch]

wiggy001 said:

Just playing devils advocate, but if we ban greyhound racing then surely we must also ban the meat industry?

Why? There's a big difference between sport and food.

[Evanivitch]

moorx said:

Without the greyhound racing industry, I'm not sure there would be many greyhounds to adopt. Lurchers possibly, because they would still be popular for certain 'pursuits'. But it was not that long ago that greyhounds (the show strain) appeared on the KC vulnerable breeds list due to low numbers being bred, which is incredible when you consider the number bred for racing, and the numbers killed. Even now, although they don't appear on the vulnerable breeds list, only 53 have been registered with the KC in the last two years. Compare that with whippets (7,207 over the same period).

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/2403/quarte...

Perhaps if greyhound racing was outlawed, there would still be demand for greyhounds and more would be bred as pets, but I'm not sure I would be part of that demand. Never say never and all that, but I haven't bought from a breeder yet, and I'm not planning on starting any time soon. I might make an exception for an Afghan Hound, but my preference would be to adopt from rescue.

That's a fair point, I too have no intent to buy from a breeder, but people always will whilst they can, and if that means some come into rescue centres then so be it.

What's more, I'm not against some aspect of amateur greyhound competition. Sheepdog herding, agility and fly-ball are all popular canine sports. Ultimately it's the money that brings the madness.

[JonChalk]

My sister and her family have a rescue greyhound, Jimmy, who was ~5 years when they got him a year ago.



I have yet to meet an easier-going, more relaxed and friendly dog.

That said, I'm sure they would agree that it's sad to have to rehome them in the first place. Signed and forwarded to them.

[GT03ROB]

Greyhounds are the most wonderfully gentle & docile dogs there are.

I grew up around greyhounds as my great uncle was one of the top trainers, being head trainer at Wembley. He loved his dogs & would take in his favourites if he could. I can’t speak for all the owners however.

[NMNeil]

Evanivitch said:

There's a petition making quite a bit of traction on this.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/554073

Personally, I'm all for banning it. It's not the race that I think is dangerous to the dogs (unlike say hurdle racing for horses. Bit over 200 dogs are put down due to track injuries), but the industry that surrounds it sees thousands of dogs needing rehoming. Many of those dogs are poorly socialised and some end up in the hands of abusive owners. Evidence has now appeared of dogs being exported half way around the world to join breeding programs with questionable standards.

Is it even relevant today? I say this as someone that only just became aware that only one track exists in Wales.

In reality does it have anything to do with the welfare of the dogs?
Imagine the value of the land that the race tracks are on.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimbledon_Stadium

[Evanivitch]

NMNeil said:

In reality does it have anything to do with the welfare of the dogs?
Imagine the value of the land that the race tracks are on.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimbledon_Stadium

Nice conspiracy theory.