Three British charities have called for a ban on all forms of greyhound racing in the United Kingdom.
The charities: RSPCA, Blue Cross and Dogs Trust jointly called for the sport to be phased out over five years to enable provisions to be made for the dogs. In their statement, they claimed over 2,000 greyhounds died and 18,000 were injured between the period 2018-2021.
They called for an end to “unnecessary and completely preventable deaths” of hundreds of dogs annually.
The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), reacted swiftly, calling the proposal “ill-conceived and “misguided.” GBGB chairman Jeremy Cooper and chief executive Mark Bird said in an open letter they were “deeply disappointed” with the change in attitude of the charities, who had been working with the GBGB to protect and safeguard the greyhounds’ welfare.
The board’s “A Good Life for Every Greyhound” publication talks about a long-term welfare program for the dogs that has been implemented over the last four years.
The letter said, “The RSPCA’s approach to greyhound racing has always been the same as its approach to horseracing; you have worked with us not against us. But today’s announcement shows the true agenda of the animal rights extremists who hold substantial sway over your organizations.”
It added, “Everyone involved in our sport puts the health and happiness of our greyhounds at the center of all we do. Indeed, our welfare standards have never been higher and are improving year-on-year.”
