Romford Campaign Asks: What Really Happens To Britain’s Racing Greyhounds?

A national animal welfare campaign marking 100 years of commercial greyhound racing in Britain has arrived in Romford, with campaigners calling for greater awareness of the welfare of racing greyhounds.

Action for Greyhounds (AfG) has launched its “100 Years… Where Have All The Greyhounds Gone?” campaign throughout July, with billboards appearing near several greyhound racing venues across the country, including Romford railway station.

The campaign coincides with the centenary of commercial greyhound racing in Britain, which began on 24 July 1926, and also marks Action for Greyhounds’ annual Greyhound Remembrance Weekend on 25 and 26 July.

Campaigners say the anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the welfare of greyhounds that have raced over the past century, including those that sustained injuries or whose fate is unknown after leaving the sport.

Action for Greyhounds also highlights the close link between British greyhound racing and breeding in Ireland. The organisation says that around 80 per cent of greyhounds racing on British tracks are bred in Ireland, arguing that demand from the British racing industry contributes to large-scale breeding.

The group points to recently published figures from Ireland, which it says show significant numbers of greyhounds bred in 2021 and 2022 have since died at a relatively young age. Campaigners note that official injury and death statistics in Ireland have only been publicly available since 2019, following media investigations.

The campaign also raises concerns about figures published annually by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB). According to the GBGB’s published statistics for 2025, 3,648 greyhounds sustained injuries while racing, while 161 greyhounds were euthanised at racecourses following injuries sustained during competition.

Action for Greyhounds says it believes the true number of greyhound deaths linked to racing may be higher, as it argues not all injured dogs are necessarily treated by track veterinarians. The GBGB has not accepted that assertion.

While many retired racing greyhounds are successfully rehomed through charities and rescue organisations, campaigners say rescue centres remain under increasing pressure and that many dogs continue to wait for suitable homes after leaving racing.

The campaign also questions why some retired racing greyhounds are recorded as “unsuitable for homing”, while the industry simultaneously promotes retired greyhounds as suitable family pets.

Action for Greyhounds believes greyhound racing should be phased out on animal welfare grounds. The organisation notes that greyhound racing has already ended in a number of countries and jurisdictions, including New Zealand, while the Welsh Government has announced its intention to ban greyhound racing as soon as practicably possible. Campaigners are also calling on the UK Government to consider similar action.

The campaign adds that several leading animal welfare organisations, including the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Blue Cross, have publicly supported a phased end to greyhound racing in Great Britain.

Action for Greyhounds argues that racing at high speed around oval tracks inevitably places greyhounds at risk of injury and says this remains a significant animal welfare concern.

The organisation hopes its July awareness campaign will encourage the public to reflect on the welfare of racing greyhounds and the future of the sport as Britain marks its centenary.

For more information about the campaign or the charity’s rescue work, visit the Action for Greyhounds website.

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