One dog died every three days in 2024 at the hands of the racing industry, yet it continues in nine countries worldwide – four of which are in the UK.
Forcing dogs to race is widely recognised as cruel, with dogs routinely dying as a result of racing injuries or being discarded for heartless reasons like not meeting ‘adequate’ qualification times. Unwanted dogs are shot or even drowned, disposed of as ‘wastage’.
There is no place for greyhound racing in a kind and progressive society. That’s why we’re campaigning to Ban Greyhound Racing.
Kayleigh was lucky to escape the industry with her life, and is now safe with a wonderful family.
Greyhounds forced to race are pushed to their physical limits – and beyond. Reaching speeds of up to 45mph and navigating tight, unnatural curves puts extreme stress on their bodies.
Between 2017 and 2024, more than 31,000 injuries were recorded ranging from fractured ribs and broken necks to internal bleeding, torn tendons and spinal paralysis. In the same period, over 4,000 greyhounds died – some from fatal injuries, others because treatment was too costly.
In 2024, one dog died every three days.
Behind the scenes, greyhounds are routinely drugged – including with illegal substances like cocaine – to enhance performance and are confined to barren, often filthy kennels with minimal social contact, enrichment, or play. Investigations have revealed heartbreaking scenes of starvation and dogs left to deteriorate alongside dead kennel mates.
Shockingly, many dogs are bred to race but then never appear on official records. Thousands of these dogs go ‘missing’ every year, dismissed by the industry as ‘wastage’ and left to face uncertain futures. Some are exported to countries like Spain, China, and Pakistan where welfare protections are minimal or non-existent, while others have even been found in the meat trade.
This is a global pipeline of cruelty – and it ends now.
Take the lead, end greyhound racing.
This summer, we’re kicking off our new campaign with greyhounds as you’ve never seen them before! We’ll be introducing the individuals who were once exploited in the name of ‘entertainment’ and encouraging people to sign our government petition with a bold new advertising campaign popping up across London.
There will also be brand new campaign materials for you to order for free, peaceful trackside demos to get involved in, and a social media ‘takeover’ that we’ll need your help to share far and wide!
But the story of this campaign does not belong to us. It belongs to the countless activists, grassroots groups and incredible rescue organisations who have been campaigning for years for a ban on racing greyhounds. Our role at Animal Aid is simply to amplify their work and to help get a ban across the finish line.
Survivors of the industry, like Molly, will be popping up on the London Underground this summer!
As well as signing our government petition, you can also help by:
Finally, we’ll also be hosting a Week of Action for greyhounds, encouraging people across the country to get involved. There will be more information soon, so please keep an eye on our social media.
Our new campaign to end greyhound racing across the UK has officially launched today. We are inspired by the recent compassionate decision by Wales to ban greyhound racing and the decades of work by...
Posted 07 Aug 2025
Posted 10 Jul 2025
