Greyhound racing has declined sharply in the UK but welfare concerns persist around injury rates, live-hare coursing, and the fate of retired racing dogs.
Greyhound racing welfare involves both acute injury risk and systemic retirement challenges. Track injuries causing fractures and muscle tears result in death or euthanasia for dogs unable to race. The retirement pipeline is insufficient to absorb all ex-racers humanely. Live coursing inflicts serious distress and injury on hares for entertainment. Greyhounds adopted as pets typically thrive, demonstrating that the welfare problems are structural rather than species-specific. Supporting adoption and opposing coursing are the most direct welfare actions.