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Shocking: 99 greyhounds died at racetracks last year new figures reveal

No dog should suffer for a gambling-led enterprise.

The official number of greyhounds killed racing at dog tracks last year reached a staggering 99 fatalities - with the level of injuries close to last year’s record figure, the Scottish Greens have revealed.

Data released by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain confirms that 99 greyhounds died in 362,427 races in 2022.

The number of deaths in 2022 rises to a staggering total of 306, including dogs that were put to sleep due to “treatment costs” or “designated unsuitable for homing”.

The injury rate has risen to 1.20% last year compared with 1.16% in 2018 when data collection began. Only races in 2020 when lockdown happened had fewer.

Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell, who has been campaigning for an end to this activity, said:

“The number of greyhounds dying at racetracks is shocking.

“What is worse, the growing number of those being injured despite there being fewer races is extremely worrying, and proves this activity is just not safe.

“These injuries are exactly the cause of suffering, lower quality of life, and animals being left homeless because they can no longer be exploited for gambling. 

“No animals should have to suffer this way, and no dog is expendable simply for the pleasure of watching spectators. It is barbaric, outdated, and should be phased out.

“I will continue to raise this in the Scottish Parliament and will do whatever it takes to bring an end to to this cruel and wilful exploitation of greyhounds.”