New figures on racing greyhound deaths spark calls for a ban
By Mike Nicholas
Posted 27th June 2025
New figures showing an increase in the number of greyhounds that died racing last year have sparked renewed calls for a ban on greyhound racing by animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports.
The figures, released by the industry’s governing body the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) show 123 trackside fatalities in 2024 - more than in any other season since 2021.
Since 2017, when GBGB figures were first released, 1,357 greyhounds have died trackside from racing.
The 2024 figures also show 3,809 greyhounds sustained injuries – around a quarter of the approximately 15,000 greyhounds that raced during the period – and brings the total number of injuries since 2017 up to 35,168.
Emma Slawinski, chief executive at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “The death and injury toll of racing greyhounds is simply shocking and highlights why the British government needs to ban this cruel sport.
“Greyhounds are raced to their deaths for people’s entertainment and for bookies’ profits.”
The Welsh government has pledged to ban greyhound racing before the next election in Wales, and Scotland’s last track closed in March. Campaigners are pushing for the Scottish government to bring in a ban so the sport can’t return to the country.
However, there are currently no plans to ban the sport in England, despite a 2018 report conducted by Professor Andrew Knight, a veterinary professor of animal welfare affiliated with a number of universities in England and Australia.
His report established racing greyhounds around oval tracks is inherently dangerous, putting huge strain on the dogs’ bodies.
The latest GBGB figures show a further 55 greyhounds were put to sleep off the track in 2024 as they were deemed unsuitable for rehoming or no home could be found, once they stopped racing.
Emma added: “These figures paint an increasingly bleak picture involving a world of pain and suffering for racing greyhounds.
“The government needs to end the sport of greyhound racing and the dogs found loving, caring homes.”
Ends
Notes to editors
Injuries in racing greyhounds by Professor Andrew Knight
For more information or interview requests please contact the League Against Cruel Sports press office on 01483 524250 or email pressoffice@league.org.uk
The League Against Cruel Sports is Britain's leading charity that works to stop animals being persecuted, abused and killed for sport. The League was instrumental in helping bring about the landmark Hunting Act 2004, the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021, the strengthened fox hunting laws of the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 and a ban on the use of snares created by the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023.
We carry out investigations to expose law-breaking and cruelty to animals and campaign for stronger animal protection laws and penalties. We work to change attitudes and behaviour through education and manage wildlife reserves. Find out more about our work at www.league.org.uk. Registered charity in England and Wales (no.1095234) and Scotland (no.SC045533).
A rescue greyhound: photo by Sue Pooley