Overview of Greyhound Racing
Greyhound racing, once a major gambling industry operating in dozens of countries, has experienced dramatic decline over the past three decades. Greyhounds race around oval tracks chasing a mechanical lure at speeds of up to 45 mph. The sport reached its peak in the mid-20th century; today, active greyhound racing is largely confined to the United States (a single state — Florida banned it in 2020), Ireland, the UK, Australia, and a handful of other nations.
80%
Decline in US tracks since 1990
~15,000
Greyhounds racing in UK/Ireland
2020
Year Florida banned racing
Welfare Concerns: The Evidence
Injury Rates
High injury burden: Studies of US racing greyhounds found injury rates of approximately 1 in every 100 races. A 2019 Florida analysis of 12,000+ races documented 492 injuries, including 72 deaths — a death rate of 0.6 per 1,000 race starts. Injuries include broken legs, dislocations, muscle tears, and cardiac events.
Housing Conditions
Crate confinement: Racing greyhounds are typically housed in stacked crates for 18–22 hours per day. Despite being bred for speed, they receive minimal exercise outside of races and brief walks. Studies indicate this level of confinement can cause anxiety, boredom, and behavioral abnormalities.
Drug Use
Performance-enhancing drugs: Multiple investigations in the US and Australia have found evidence of illegal drug use in greyhound racing, including cocaine, opiates, and hormones. Regulatory agencies face significant challenges in testing and enforcement.
What Happens to Non-Winners
Surplus dogs: Historically, greyhounds that did not perform were killed rather than rehomed — industry estimates suggested tens of thousands of dogs annually in the US alone. While adoption programs have grown substantially, unaccounted-for dogs remain a welfare concern.
The Decline of Greyhound Racing
1990s: US had 60+ operating tracks; advocacy campaigns begin exposing welfare conditions
2002: Massachusetts voters ban greyhound racing
2008: Arizona and Colorado ban racing
2012–2018: Multiple US states prohibit new tracks or defund racing subsidies
2018: Florida voters pass Amendment 13 with 69% approval, banning racing
2020: Florida's last tracks close; US racing effectively ends
2023: UK Racing Post estimates continued decline in UK/Ireland; debate over future of the sport in both countries
The decline has been driven by a combination of gambling alternatives (online betting), changing public attitudes toward animal welfare, and sustained advocacy campaigns that documented welfare problems.
Greyhound Racing in Australia and Ireland
Australia
Australia remains one of the world's largest greyhound racing markets with ~50,000 registered greyhounds. A 2015 investigative report by ABC's Four Corners documented live baiting — using live rabbits, possums, and piglets to train dogs — triggering national outrage. New South Wales briefly banned the sport before reversing the decision. Regulatory reform followed but welfare advocates argue implementation is insufficient.
Ireland
Greyhound racing receives substantial government subsidy in Ireland (~€16M per year). Investigations have documented significant numbers of greyhounds being exported to countries with weak welfare standards (Pakistan, China) where they face severe conditions. The Irish government has faced pressure to attach welfare conditions to subsidies.
Export welfare: Greyhounds exported from Ireland and the UK to countries without welfare regulations face conditions dramatically worse than their home countries. This offshore welfare impact is difficult to regulate.
The Greyhound Adoption Movement
Greyhounds make excellent pets: Retired racing greyhounds are known for calm temperament, low shedding, and adaptability to apartment living. Despite their racing history, they are gentle, affectionate dogs that thrive as companions.
Adoption programs: Organizations like Greyhound Pets of America (GPA), National Greyhound Adoption Program (NGAP), and Grey2K USA have rehomed hundreds of thousands of greyhounds since the 1980s.
Adoption Success
- Average retired greyhound adapts to home life within 1–4 weeks
- Despite racing history, most show no prey aggression to cats with proper introduction
- Require only moderate exercise (two 20-minute walks daily)
- Typically live 10–14 years post-retirement
Remaining Welfare Priorities
- UK and Ireland reform: Mandatory independent injury reporting, housing standards reform, and export restrictions are key pending reforms
- Australia live baiting: Independent auditing of training facilities to ensure live baiting has genuinely ended
- Subsidy accountability: Government subsidies to racing should be tied to enforceable welfare standards
- Adoption infrastructure: As tracks close, adequate resources for transitioning remaining racing dogs into adoption
What You Can Do
- Adopt a retired greyhound — contact NGAP, GPA, or a local greyhound rescue
- Support Grey2K USA and similar organizations advocating for track bans
- If in the UK or Ireland, contact your representatives about subsidy accountability
- Share adoption success stories to reduce stigma about "ex-racing dogs"
- Avoid betting on greyhound races — reduced wagering accelerates track closures