What the Racing Industry Won’t Tell You
Every year, sleek greyhounds are paraded across tracks in Ireland and the UK – symbols of speed, grace, and… a very dark reality.
We’ve read the glossy brochures. We've seen the economic reports. And we’re not buying it.
Here are a few things the greyhound racing industry would rather you didn’t know:
🚨 1. Dogs Are Still Being Injured and Killed
In 2023, 126 dogs were euthanised at Irish tracks. These aren’t “accidents” – they’re systemic.
High-speed collisions, fractured limbs, and track conditions all play a part. Greyhounds don’t choose to race. And they don’t get a say in when it stops.
🧬 2. Overbreeding Is a Built-In Problem
Thousands of greyhounds are bred every year to feed the industry. But not all of them make it to the track. And not all survive once they’re no longer useful.
There’s simply too many dogs, and not enough homes. The result? Rescue charities under pressure, and countless dogs falling through the cracks.
📉 3. The Public Is Turning Away
Attendance numbers have plummeted. In Ireland, it dropped from over a million in 2005 to just 378,000 in 2023. And despite big funding from the government, more tracks are closing.
The public is losing interest. But the funding keeps coming.
💸 4. They Still Get Millions in State Funding
In 2021, the greyhound industry received €19.2 million in public money. That’s nearly €20 million that could go to animal welfare, community programmes, or literally anything else.
💔 5. Rescue Groups Are Cleaning Up the Mess
The real heroes? The volunteers and fosterers who work tirelessly to rehome ex-racing greyhounds. They're patching up physical injuries, soothing trauma, and helping these dogs find real family life.
❤️ Final Thoughts
Being anti-racing isn’t about tradition vs progress. It’s about kindness vs cruelty. And we know which side we’re on.
