Greyhound owners and trainers are calling on the local community to support their calls to keep the racing industry thriving
Welsh greyhound racing trainers and owners are urging the Welsh Government to favour licensed greyhound racing, as opposed to supporting a phased ban, to ensure that high standards of welfare and livelihoods are maintained.
The Welsh Government is currently consulting on the licensing of animal activities, including animal rescues, sanctuaries and hospitals, doggy day care, educational animal exhibits and horse-riding centres, as well as greyhound racing.
Caerphilly is home to Wales’s sole track, Valley Greyhound Stadium, which has recently been licensed by the British industry regulator, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB). The stadium has become first professional, GBGB-licensed greyhound track in Wales for more than forty years. The granting of the licence means that the stadium will meet the strictest and most robust of welfare standards – including having a dedicated veterinary surgeon on site for all trials and races.
In a call to the local community to respond to the consultation and support the future of greyhound racing in Wales, local trainer Rob Short, said:
“Greyhound racing in Wales is in our heritage and a vital part of the local community, given the presence of the Valley Stadium. Now that the track is licensed, it is also setting high standards for welfare under GBGB’s strict rules and regulation.
“In our sport, the welfare of our greyhounds is the top priority. As sighthounds they have a natural instinct for the chase, which licensed racing allows them to fulfil in the safest possible environment. Everyone that works with these dogs knows how much love and care goes into looking after them and it’s something that my family has been involved in for generations.
“Although I live here, I actually used to have to travel to England to race my greyhounds at a GBGB-licensed track because I know how important having standards and regulation is. But since the Valley Stadium got its own licence, it’s been amazing to be able to work closer to home, in a business that benefits people locally and where I know the protections are in place for welfare and integrity.
“A phased ban would devastate so many of us who love both the sport and the dogs we care for, and I’m urging people to get behind our calls for more regulation instead of disastrous ban.”
The official Valley Stadium Track Veterinary Surgeon, Sarah Cochrane, added her support:
“Greyhound welfare is absolutely paramount in licensed greyhound racing and everyone within the sport is committed to optimising the care greyhounds receive. I know first-hand the care and attention that these greyhounds receive and that the systems in place to promote and protect welfare far exceed what is available for the domestic pet population, or indeed many other industries involving animals. It seems an obvious choice to support effective regulation – as is now in place at Valley Stadium – rather than a phased ban, which would only risk the welfare of these dogs.”
GBGB Chief Executive, Mark Bird, welcoming the calls by local industry members, said:
“We are fully behind greater regulation of the greyhound racing industry, rather than a catastrophic ban. We believe in safeguarding welfare – a phased ban would only jeopardise welfare and remove our ability to monitor and improve standards.
“Whilst the Valley Stadium has only recently been licensed, this has already required a transformation in their practices to meet our standards – from the upgraded veterinary and kennelling facilities, to having a vet onsite, to the licensing of all individuals involved in greyhound husbandry and racing operations.
“Our long-term welfare strategy continues to raise standards still further through research, innovation and best practice, as demonstrated by data and evidence.”
The consultation closes on 1st March, and the community is being asked to submit their responses via the instructions on the consultation site: https://www.gov.wales/licensing-animal-welfare-establishments-activities-and-exhibits
