Greyhound racing causes significant welfare problems including injuries, overbreeding and high rates of abandonment. Reform and abolition movements are gaining ground in several countries.
Greyhound racing creates welfare problems that reform efforts have not fully resolved. The fundamental welfare challenge is systemic: large numbers of dogs are bred for racing, a fraction reach the track, and those that do sustain injuries at high rates. The economic model creates incentives to race injured dogs and to dispose of retired dogs in ways that circumvent animal welfare standards. Reform measures including mandatory injury reporting, track surface improvements and rehoming requirements have improved welfare at the margin without addressing the underlying overbreeding and disposal problem. Abolition has been achieved in several jurisdictions when welfare evidence was placed before legislators and public opinion shifted. Greyhound advocacy organisations have driven significant welfare improvements through both reform campaigns and rehoming programme expansion.