Greyhound racing has declined significantly as welfare concerns gain public attention. Injuries during racing, poor housing standards, and mass euthanasia of retired dogs have driven bans in multiple jurisdictions.
Racing greyhounds face welfare risks from high-speed collision injuries, inadequate kenneling between races, social isolation, and the risk of euthanasia at retirement when owners cannot find rehoming placements. The welfare of the many dogs who are bred and discarded is poorly tracked. The shift toward banning or severely restricting greyhound racing reflects growing recognition that entertainment interests cannot justify these welfare costs. Retired greyhounds, however, make excellent companions and rehoming programs provide positive outcomes for individual animals.