Sighthound Welfare UK

Working to raise awareness on the plight of greyhounds used for racing, gambling and entertainment purposes

Sighthound Welfare UK is a not for profit greyhound protection organisation that was incorporated in mid 2019. We work in affiliation with independent greyhound rescue groups to improve the welfare of greyhounds.

The Demise of Greyhound Racing

UK greyhound racing began in 1926 at Manchester Belle Vue greyhound stadium and by 1927 greyhound racing tracks began to form in the republic of Ireland. In the mid 1940s, there were 277 greyhound tracks in the UK, 77 of which were 'regulated'. Today, there are just 24 tracks remaining to actively race greyhounds in Great Britain, 20 of which are 'regulated'.

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Evidence of Mass Culling

An average of 6,000 greyhounds are culled each year from the 16,000 bred for Irish and British racing according to a report commissioned on behalf of the Irish Greyhound Board, the regulatory board for Irish greyhound racing. An average of 6,000 Irish greyhounds are imported to Britain each year for greyhound racing making Great Britain, Ireland's biggest motivation to continue excessively breeding greyhounds that may be destroyed if they do not make the grade.

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An Industry Led by the Bookmakers

There appears to be NO limit to the number of greyhounds a licensed greyhound trainer can keep for commercial racing, and there is NO rule to prevent them from destroying greyhounds on economic grounds. The captive bolt gun is a lethal weapon that is unfortunately NOT covered under the Firearms Act (amendment) 1988. Greyhound trainers do not have to be trained or licensed to use one, and according to some veterinary professionals it has the capacity for misuse and to cause intense suffering.

RTE Investigates: Greyhounds Running for Their Lives

Greyhounds: Commodified in Racing

Due to the demand of dogs for live broadcasting; there is NO incentive given to greyhound trainers to care for their dogs. Whenever a dog is entered into a race the trainer will receive a sum of money whether they win or lose.

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