Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 15th March 2018
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Greyhound injury and retirement data published
There were a total of 4,837 injuries and 257 track fatalities in 2017.
Trust calls figures ‘unacceptable’ and pledges to work with governing body

Nearly 5,000 racing greyhounds were injured in 2017, according to new figures published for the first time.

Furthermore, just over 1,000 dogs died or were euthanised, of which 270 were deemed unsuitable for rehoming, 257 were trackside fatalities and 333 were euthanised due to treatment costs or poor prognosis.

The figures were published by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), which governs the racing industry.

Responding in a statement, the Greyhound Trust said the figures were ‘unacceptable’, but pledged to work with GBGB to reduce euthanasia levels and increase successful rehoming rates.

Neil Parish MP welcomed the publication of these figures, which the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee, called for in February 2016.

However, he is urging GBGB to work towards reducing the rate of euthanasia. He is also pressing the government to introduce a statutory levy of one per cent gross turnover, to ensure greyhound welfare is adequately funded in future.

Key figures from GBGB include:
  • there were a total of 4,837 injuries and 257 track fatalities
  • just over 86 per cent of retiring dogs (6,391) were rehomed or retained by the owner/trainer
  • just under 14 per cent of dogs died or were euthanised, of which 25 per cent were euthanised trackside on humane grounds
  • twenty-seven per cent of dogs were deemed unsuitable for rehoming, while homes could not be found for a further 20 dogs
  • the remainder (eight per cent) were euthanised or died due to medical or other reasons, terminal illness and natural causes.

Greyhound Trust chief executive Lisa Morris-Tomkins commented: “The number of racing greyhounds who never have the opportunity to experience a loving home when their racing career is over is unacceptable, and the base line injury and retirement figures published must be improved; it is unacceptable that any greyhound suitable for homing is euthanised.

“This is why the Greyhound Trust have committed our expertise and experience to work with the GBGB on two key welfare projects: a behavioural assessment project and an injury recovery scheme, which will maximise the opportunities for greyhounds to transition to a family pet.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.