☀️ 2023: G.B.G.B. LATEST NEWS ☀️

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~ Independently verified track injury and retirement data shows that licensed greyhound racing continues to uphold the highest standards of welfare ~

~ Homing, Fatality and Injury Rates remain consistent with (and in many cases better than) last year which showed significant improvements since 2018 ~

~ Data shows more greyhounds are being successfully treated following injury and able to retire to enjoy life as pets ~

~ Data shows that initiatives launched in recent years are having a positive impact on welfare ~






The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), the regulator of licensed greyhound racing, is today publishing its track injury and retirement data for the sport in 2022. The data is consistent with and – in many cases – an improvement on the data for 2021 which demonstrated significant progress compared to previous years.

GBGB is required by DEFRA to publish annual injury and retirement data by the end of June the following year. As part of its commitment to transparency and accountability, the data published by GBGB is independently audited and goes beyond what has been asked for by DEFRA.



The data published today shows strong progress on a number of key indicators – all of which signal that not only is GBGB consolidating the excellent progress it has made in recent years but it is continuing to drive welfare standards forward throughout the sport.



Most notably, the data shows:

Despite the current economic situation and associated general challenges in homing dogs being experienced by the canine charity sector, the number of greyhounds successfully retired from the sport remains high at 95% thanks to initiatives such as the Greyhound Retirement Scheme which means a greyhound’s retirement is secure before they start their racing career;
The track injury rate has remained consistent at 1.2% of all runs and GBGB remains committed to reducing this figure over the next few years;

Fewer greyhounds than ever were put to sleep or died naturally over the course of the year; overall, 306 greyhounds were put to sleep or died naturally in 2022; in 2018, the comparative figure was 932 representing a reduction of 67%. Greyhounds are put to sleep for a number of reasons – some of which are not linked to racing such as illness and natural causes.

More greyhounds are being successfully treated following a track injury; in 2022, the number of greyhounds put to sleep at the track on humane grounds was 99, compared to 120 in 2021 and 242 in 2018 (a reduction of 59%). Away from the track, in 2022, 43 greyhounds were put to sleep on vet’s advice compared to 74 in 2021 and 144 in 2018 (a reduction of 70%).

This reduction is in part due to the enhanced veterinary expertise across the sport as well as the additional checks GBGB now carries out to ensure that trainers are following the track vet’s advice following an injury;

The sport continues to make excellent progress in reducing economic euthanasias; like last year, very few (ten) greyhounds were put to sleep because of the cost of medical treatment; in 2018, this figure was 175 (a reduction of 94%).
For the fourth year running, no greyhounds were put to sleep because no home could be found.


Through the implementation of its welfare strategy, A Good Life for Every Greyhound, which was launched last year, GBGB aims to drive further improvements. These include a host of initiatives around enhanced training for trainers, track staff and vets as well as continuing to work with track safety experts, STRI, to make racing surfaces safer, promoting British breeding and further research into injury detection and prevention.

Through the strategy, GBGB has already enhanced its veterinary resource and expertise as a result of the appointment of a Veterinary Executive and a field force of Regulatory Regional Vets. These vets are providing additional advice and guidance to trainers, owners, track vets and stadia so that they can provide better care and treatment to greyhounds.

Commenting on the progress achieved, Mark Bird, Chief Executive of GBGB, said: “This data once again demonstrates the significant improvements we have achieved in welfare over the past few years. It shows that the approach licensed racing is taking is the right one and demonstrates our ongoing to commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our racing greyhounds.

“Over the past year, we have begun the roll-out of our ambitious welfare strategy and it is fantastic that a number of initiatives are already underway and delivering benefits – particularly around our enhanced veterinary resources. I would like to thank everyone across the sport who has supported our strategy and has played their part in its implementation.

“We are whole-heartedly committed to raising standards further and I have every confidence that we will continue to do so. As we said last year, to realise our strategy in full requires enhanced, long-term and sustainable funding from the betting industry. We continue to work closely with them and show how the successful implementation of the strategy is vital for the future prosperity of licensed greyhound racing in this country.”

Commenting on the 2022 data, Jeremy Cooper, GBGB Chairman, said: “The GBGB Board welcomes this data which provides an accurate and credible picture of welfare within licensed greyhound racing. It is encouraging that the sport has consolidated the excellent progress that it has made in recent years and, in a number of cases, seen further improvements.

“Whilst there are those who seek to undermine our welfare standards and discredit the immense progress we have made, I am heartened by this data which provides firm, unequivocal proof that licensed racing takes the welfare of our greyhounds extremely seriously. This sits in stark contrast to those who attack our sport and who are yet to offer any credible scientific or factual-based evidence that justifies their criticism of us.”

Animal Welfare Minister Lord Benyon said: “Greyhounds deserve the highest level of care not only during their racing career but also in their retirement.

“It is reassuring to see a continued upward trend in improvements to greyhound welfare and that progress made last year, especially in reducing the number of greyhound fatalities at tracks, has been sustained, and I look forward to seeing what further improvements can be delivered through the Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s welfare strategy, A Good Life for Every Greyhound.”

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GBGB LATEST NEWS:

FRIDAY 23rd JUNE 2023:

The Latest Edition Of The GBGB Calendar

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TRAINER PROSECUTED

TAKEN FROM THE GREYHOUND STAR — JUNE 28, 2023



Following an inspection and reports by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, a suspended trainer has been sentenced to a total of 36 weeks in prison. Rebecca Perkins, who pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty and one count of animal suffering, was sentenced at Scarborough Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 27th June 2023. She has also been given a lifetime ban from keeping animals.

Having been alerted to a possible case of animal suffering, GBGB’s Stipendiary Steward Simon Storey visited Perkins’ kennels in September last year and found that the animals were not receiving the care and treatment required. He immediately arranged for all the dogs to be removed from the kennels and within hours they were being seen by vets and being moved to homing centres. Since then, GBGB has worked closely with the authorities as they brought charges against Perkins providing whatever information or assistance was required.

GBGB will now conduct its own disciplinary hearing into this matter which could result in a lifetime ban from the sport.

Mark Bird, Chief Executive of GBGB, said: “It was our own investigation that first uncovered this and we immediately took all the necessary steps to ensure appropriate action was taken to safeguard the wellbeing of the greyhounds. There is absolutely no place for any mistreatment of greyhounds within our sport and, as the regulator of licensed greyhound racing, we will always place the health and welfare of the animals above all other considerations. Whilst this case is very distressing, it is an isolated case and through our robust regulatory practices and policies, we ensure that all registered greyhounds are given the care and protection they deserve at all times.”

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GREYHOUND RACING MEETING WITH ANIMAL RISING

INFORMATION VIA GREYHOUND STAR — JUNE 29, 2023

Members of GBGB and a representative from Towcester Greyhound Stadium met with members of Animal Rising (AR) today in Central London.

The meeting, which was at the invitation of AR, was for them to outline their viewpoints and to communicate their plans ahead of any direct action protests at the Greyhound Derby Final at Towcester this coming Saturday.

Following the meeting, GBGB Chief Executive Mark Bird said: “We felt it was the right thing to do in terms of meeting with Animal Rising. Whilst we are diametrically opposed, the meeting allowed us the opportunity to state that licensed greyhound racing is a legitimate sport with welfare at its heart and that our greyhounds are very much cared for and loved by those involved within the sport. The meeting also provided us with the opportunity to see that AR have an animal rights – not an animal welfare – agenda. Moreover, it was disappointing that a group that claims to be driven by science has only a cursory knowledge of our sport and has not even taken the time to find out about the practices which are in place to promote and protect greyhound welfare.

“What Animal Rising is proposing by way of an incursion onto the track at the Derby Final is both illegal and totally reckless. As well as endangering those protestors who attempt to run on to the track this also risks the safety of those who have to intervene to remove them from the track. Most notably, this presents very real risks to the wellbeing of the greyhounds themselves who AR are supposedly trying to protect.

“Everyone respects the right to lawful and peaceful protest but what Animal Rising is proposing by way of direct action is totally untenable in terms of safety and we have made those exact comments at today’s meeting.”

Shaun Reynolds of Fortitude Communications and representing Towcester Racecourse added: “Peaceful protest is a critical aspect of any democracy, and we have no issue with campaigners demonstrating their views in a lawful manner.

“However, Animal Rising’s plans for Saturday’s English Greyhound Derby sit outside this bracket. Unlawful behaviour will not be tolerated, and we are in constant dialogue with Northamptonshire Police and our security operation to minimise any potential disruption.

“We are reassured by Animal Rising’s promise not to enter our track while a race is taking place. This promise does not take away from the extraordinary lack of knowledge Animal Rising and its members have concerning greyhound racing and the requirements of the breed which was evidential during our meeting.

“Saturday’s card will showcase greyhound racing at its very best and we look forward to welcoming racegoers trackside for one of UK sport’s most recognisable and prestigious events.”

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GBGB LATEST NEWS:

FRIDAY 7th JULY 2023:

The Latest Edition Of The GBGB Calendar

HERE

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HOME SECRETARY BACKS ACTION
TO PROTECT SPORT FROM DISRUPTION.

Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary hosted a roundtable discussion with sports leaders at Downing Street on Wednesday this week. Joined by the Culture Secretary and other senior government officials, together with senior police, and sports leaders, the meeting was called to outline the government’s stance on recent protests at sporting events, including that at last weekend’s Derby Final at Towcester.

Several issues were considered including the use of injunctions against protestors, pre-emptive action by the police and the reinforcement of security with stewards. Also cited was for the government to look at a possible increase in legislation against individuals who disrupt sport.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazier said, “We must protect the right to peaceful protest, but that does not give licence to a vocal minority to spoil events that millions of us enjoy.”

GBGB Chief Executive Mark Bird, who was present at the roundtable discussion said, “It was reassuring to see that the government and police are taking seriously the issue of non-peaceful protests at sporting events, including greyhound racing, but in particular, the disruptive actions of Animal Rising. The point around an increase in stewarding and policing numbers at events was particularly salient, in that if it wasn’t for the increase in stewards and the large police numbers at last weeks’ Derby Final at Towcester, we would have certainly seen a delay or even cancellation of the event. That level of resourcing comes at a significant financial cost to the event host and this point was echoed by myself and several other sports, not least those where stewarding numbers have run into the hundreds.

“It would be foolhardy to expect that Animal Rising will not continue to target other major greyhound competitions, as we know that their main ambition is to simply gain media attention to their extremist ambitions. In the meantime, we will continue to work with all licensed greyhound stadia to gather and disseminate the relevant intelligence and advice.”

The Downing Street meeting this week was described as only the start of the conversations with affected sports.

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GBGB LATEST NEWS:

FRIDAY 21st JULY 2023:

The Latest Edition Of The GBGB Calendar

HERE