Newly released data from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has prompted renewed calls for an outright ban on greyhound racing.
The Cut the Chase coalition, made up of leading animal welfare organisations, says the figures show the ongoing and unacceptable risks the sport poses to dogs. In 2024, 123 greyhounds died at GBGB-licensed tracks – the highest trackside fatality number since 2020 – while a total of 346 greyhounds lost their lives due to racing-related causes. A further 3,809 sustained injuries.
The coalition argues these figures offer “further proof” that greyhound racing cannot be made safe. Since 2017, 4,034 greyhounds have died as a result of racing, and more than 35,000 have been injured.
“Each and every life matters – and to think 1,100 have lost their lives in trackside fatalities since 2018 is heartbreaking”
The group has called on all UK nations to follow Wales, where the government has pledged to phase out racing entirely. Animal welfare organisations who speak out against racing are blocked from accessing any industry funding when they care for ex-racing greyhounds left in need of homes; the Coalition is calling for this to change, as the phasing out of racing in Wales will see an influx of greyhounds seeking homes.
A spokesperson for the Coalition said, “Racing is inherently dangerous for the dogs involved – and rising fatalities proves this. Each and every life matters – and to think 1,100 have lost their lives in trackside fatalities since 2018 is heartbreaking, while many others have died as a result of racing in other ways.”
GBGB has defended the sport’s direction and what it describes as “significant improvements” across all key welfare indicators. According to the 2024 data, the track injury rate is now at a record low of 1.07%, the track fatality rate has halved since 2020, and 94% of greyhounds were successfully retired. The number of dogs euthanised for economic reasons dropped from 175 in 2018 to three last year.
GBGB Chief Executive Mark Bird said, “There is much to be pleased and encouraged by in this year’s data. It shows that the initiatives we have introduced in recent years are now embedded and are helping to consolidate the significant progress we have made since 2018 across all measures.”
However, Bird acknowledged the need for more stable funding, and renewed the call for a statutory levy on bookmakers to ensure all betting operators contribute to greyhound welfare.
While GBGB notes continuing progress, campaigners argue that improvements in percentages mask an industry built on risk. As greyhound deaths and injuries persist, it all comes down to one question: is “bringing down” the number of deaths and injuries enough when they could be prevented entirely – and what “percentage” of deaths is acceptable in the name of amusement?
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