287 greyhounds suffered injuries and 122 of them were killed at races in Ireland in 2022, sickening Greyhound Racing Ireland statistics reveal.
Greyhounds were injured and killed at every track and in every month of the year.
The shocking details emerged following Dail Questions from Paul Murphy TD (People Before Profit-Solidarity) and Neasa Hourigan TD (Green Party).
A response from Greyhound Racing Ireland outlined that out of the 287 greyhounds who were injured, 165 were “treated after their injuries” and 114 were “euthanised due to the severity of their injuries”.
There were an additional 8 racing fatalities “whereby greyhounds died during or immediately after racing occurred”. One of these greyhounds collapsed, one sustained a neck injury, two suffered head injuries, one died with abdominal bleeding and three were listed as “sudden death”.
Download the Greyhound Racing Ireland injury and death statistics for 2022 (pdf)
The track with the highest number of injuries was Shelbourne Park in Dublin (40 injuries), followed by Youghal (36), Limerick (25), Galway (21), Kilkenny (21), Enniscorthy (21), Mullingar (19), Cork (17), Dundalk (16), Clonmel (16), Newbridge (16), Waterford (15), Tralee (15) and Thurles (9).
The track with the highest number of deaths was Youghal track in Cork (16 deaths), followed by Limerick (13), Shelbourne Park (11), Dundalk (11), Waterford (10), Clonmel (8), Galway (9), Kilkenny (8), Cork (7), Newbridge (7), Enniscorthy (6), Tralee (6), Mullingar (5) and Thurles (5).
The track with the highest percentage of injured greyhounds destroyed by a track vet was Dundalk (68%), followed by Waterford (66%), Thurles (55%), Clonmel (50%), Limerick (48%), Youghal (44%), Newbridge (43%), Cork (41%), Galway (33%), Kilkenny (28%), Enniscorthy (28%), Mullingar (26%), Tralee (26%) and Shelbourne Park (25%).
The 287 injuries were listed as: Fractured Hock (119), Fractured Wrist (46), Fractured Leg (40), Hock Injury (20), Muscle Injury/Tear (15), Fractured Toe (9), Leg Injury (8), Toe Injury (4), Fractured shoulder / shoulder injury / shoulder wound (5), Dislocated Toes (3), Spinal Injury (2), Cuts (2), Hip Injury (1), Ruptured Tendon (1), Damaged Tendon (1), Tendon injury (1), Skin Wound (1), Sprained Wrist (1).
The 2022 figures bring to 3,050 the number of greyhounds known to have been injured and 1,060 the number killed in racing at Irish tracks since 2014.
The Greyhound Racing Ireland figures are based on “reported” injuries and deaths, suggesting that the actual numbers could be even higher. They do not include the greyhounds injured at tracks and later killed elsewhere, or the thousands of greyhounds who are killed behind the scenes every year because they are not fast enough to win races.
Injuries and deaths also occurred last year at greyhound trials – “in 2022, there were 30 dogs that incurred [hock/leg] injury whilst trialling on Greyhound Racing Ireland licensed racetracks…Of these 30 greyhounds, 12 were subsequently euthanised as a result of their injuries”. Three other greyhounds also died in “trialling fatalities”.
All but one of these greyhounds injured at trials were “treated at vets”, meaning prolonged suffering for the dogs as they were taken from the tracks and transported away before they received treatment.
There is no requirement for vets to be present at trials. Greyhound Racing Ireland has previously stated that “a veterinary surgeon is not on duty for official trials or unofficial trials, but the contact details of nearby veterinary clinics are posted in the weigh room of each of the Greyhound Racing Ireland licensed stadia.”
The death figures represent only the tip of the iceberg. As revealed in the award-winning “RTE Investigates: Greyhounds running for their lives” documentary, thousands of greyhounds are killed behind the scenes every year simply because they are not fast enough. It included disturbing scenes of dogs being delivered to a knackery where they were shot in the head and dumped in a skip. One shot dog was seen writhing on the ground in agony as his merciless owner drove away. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYTb2qBjlMM
A damning report which Greyhound Racing Ireland attempted to hide, revealed that around 6,000 greyhounds are killed every year because they don’t make the grade. The report estimated that, for example, a total of 17,962 greyhounds were culled in 2013, 2014 and 2015. They were killed for “failure to produce qualifying times”, “failure to produce desired entry level times” and for an “unacceptable decline in performance”.
How many more dogs have to suffer and die before the Irish Government stops funding greyhound racing? A RED C opinion poll commissioned by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports confirms that a two-thirds majority want the funding stopped (with just 16% in favour of it continuing), while petitions urging the government to end the funding have more than 400,000 signatures.
ACTION ALERT
Don’t attend greyhound races or fundraisers/hen parties/office parties held at greyhound tracks.
Join us in demanding an end to the government’s massive grants to greyhound racing – more than a quarter of a billion euros handed over since 2001, including €19.2 million for 2021, €17.6 million for 2022 and €18.2 million for 2023. Contact the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Finance Minister now.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD
Telephone: +353 (0)1-704 3630 OR +353 (0)1-640 3133
Email: leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie
Tweet to: http://www.twitter.com/@LeoVaradkar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeoVaradkar
Tanaiste Micheál Martin TD
Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; info@fiannafail.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1–618 4350 or +353 (0)21-432 0088
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michealmartintd/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@MichealMartinTD
Michael McGrath TD
Minister for Finance
Email: michael.mcgrath@oireachtas.ie; minister@per.gov.ie
http://www.facebook.com/michael.mcgrath.1614
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mmcgrathtd
Please contact your local TDs and urge them to oppose this funding. Visit the Oireachtas website for contact details for TDs https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/tds/?term=/ie/oireachtas/house/dail/33
Urge the leaders of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, the Green Party, Sinn Fein and Labour to stop the funding and back a ban on cruel greyhound racing
Micheál Martin TD
Leader, Fianna Fail
Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; info@fiannafail.ie
Phone: 021-432 0088
Leinster House: 01–618 3000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michealmartintd/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@MichealMartinTD
Leo Varadkar TD
Leader, Fine Gael
Telephone: 01-619 4020
Email: leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie
Tweet to: http://www.twitter.com/@LeoVaradkar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeoVaradkar
Eamon Ryan TD
Leader, Green Party
Tel: 01 618 3894
Email: eamon.ryan@oireachtas.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EamonRyanGP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EamonRyan
Mary Lou McDonald TD
Leader, Sinn Fein
Tel: (01) 727 7102
Email: marylou.mcdonald@oireachtas.ie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryLouMcDonald
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MaryLouMcDonaldTD
Ivana Bacik TD
Leader, The Labour Party
Tel: (01) 6183136
Email: ivana.bacik@oireachtas.ie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ivanabacik
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bacikivana/
Please sign and share the petitions
Irish Government: Stop Giving Millions of Euro to Cruel Greyhound Racing
https://www.change.org/p/irish-government-stop-giving-millions-of-euro-to-cruel-greyhound-racing
Stop supporting the cruel greyhound “industry”
https://www.change.org/p/stop-supporting-the-cruel-greyhound-industry
GAA: Stop club fundraisers at greyhound tracks
https://www.change.org/p/gaa-stop-club-fundraisers-at-greyhound-tracks
Tell Gain Pet Nutrition to Stop Sponsoring Greyhound Racing
https://www.change.org/p/jimtracy-glanbia-ie-tell-gain-pet-nutrition-to-stop-sponsoring-greyhound-racing
Watch RTE’s award-winning “Greyhounds Running For Their Lives” documentary
2022 injuries and deaths – by track
Clonmel 16 injuries, 8 deaths
Cork 17 injuries. 7 deaths
Dundalk 16 injuries, 11 deaths
Enniscorthy 21 injuries, 6 deaths
Galway 21 injuries, 7 deaths, + 2 fatalities
Kilkenny 21 injuries, 6 deaths plus 2 fatalities
Limerick 25 injuries, 12 deaths plus 1 fatality
Mullingar 19 injuries, 5 deaths
Newbridge 16 injuries, 7 deaths
Shelbourne Park 40 injuries, 10 deaths plus 1 fatality
Thurles 9 injuries, 5 deaths
Tralee 15 injuries, 4 deaths plus 2 fatalities
Waterford 15 injuries, 10 deaths
Youghal 36 injuries, 16 deaths
2022 injuries and deaths – more details
CLONMEL
9th January, Leg Fracture, Treated
28th January, Fractured Hock, Euthanised
13th February, Cut, Treated
27th February, Fractured Leg, Euthanised
1st April, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
29th April, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
27th May, Fractured Hock, Euthanised
22nd July, Muscle Tear, Euthanised
24th July, Hock Fracture, Treated
24th July, Muscle Tear, Treated
19th August, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
28th August, Hock Fracture, Treated
28th August, Hock Fracture, Treated
18th September, Hock Fracture, Treated
2nd October, Hock Fracture, Treated
9th October, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
CORK
14th January, Fractured Leg, Euthanised
5th March, Fractured Hock, Treated
5th March, Fractured Hock, Treated
18th March, Fractured Hock, Treated
7th May, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
7th May, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
13th May, Hock Fracture, Treated
20th May, Hock Injury, Treated
4th June, Fractured Hock, Euthanised
16th July, Shoulder injury, Treated
19th August, Hock Fracture, Treated
19th August, Hock Fracture, Treated
26th August, Skin Wound, Treated
27th August, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
27th August, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
2nd September, Wrist Injury, Treated
11th November, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
DUNDALK
26th February, Fractured Leg, Euthanised
26th March, Fractured Leg, Euthanised
26th March, Muscle Tear, Treated
2nd April, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
16th April, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
4th June, Fractured leg, Euthanised
16th July, Hock Fracture, Treated
3rd September, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
3rd September, Hock Injury, Euthanised
3rd September, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
9th September, Wrist Injury, Treated
10th September, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
10th September, Muscle Injury, Treated
10th September, Muscle Injury, Treated
4th November, Wrist Fracture, Euthanised
2nd December, Hock Injury, Euthanised
ENNISCORTHY
18th April, Fractured Hock, Euthanised
12th May, Wrist Injury, Euthanised
19th May, Wrist Injury, Treated
2nd June, Hip Injury, Treated
16th June, Toe Injury, Treated
23rd June, Shoulder Injury, Treated
25th July, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
25th July, Hock Injury, Treated
28th July, Hock Injury, Euthanised
31st July, Muscle Injury, Treated
15th August, Toe Fracture, Treated
20th August, Hock Fracture, Treated
20th August, Leg Injury, Treated
20th August, Wrist Injury, Treated
12th September, Wrist Injury, Euthanised
12th September, Muscle Injury, Treated
12th September, Wrist Injury, Treated
19th September, Leg Injury, Treated
6th October, Wrist Injury, Treated
17th October, Wrist Injury, Treated
27th October, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
GALWAY
7th January, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
7th January, Sprained Wrist, Treated
14th January, Shoulder Wound, Treated
24th March, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
16th April, Wrist Injury, Euthanised
29th April, Muscle Injury, Treated
14th May, Hock injury, Euthanised
14th May, Leg injury, Treated
2nd July, Hock Injury, Treated
29th July, Abdominal Bleeding, Racing Fatality
29th July, Hock Fracture, Treated
20th August, Hock Fracture, Treated
22nd October, Leg Injury, Treated
29th October, Toe Injury, Treated
12th November, Wrist Fracture, Euthanised
18th November, Hock Fracture, Treated
8th December, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
8th December, Hock Fracture, Treated
17th December, Wrist Fracture, Euthanised
17th December, Sudden Death, Racing Fatality
22nd December, Wrist Fracture, Treated
KILKENNY
12th January, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
16th February, Hock Injury, Treated
16th February, Toe Injury, Treated
23rd February, Collapsed, Racing Fatality
23rd February, Dislocated Toes, Treated
23rd February, Dislocated Toes, Treated
16th March, Fractured Toe, Treated
4th May, Muscle Injury, Treated
10th June, Hock Injury, Euthanised
10th July, Hock Fracture, Treated
20th July, Head Injury, Racing Fatality
31st August, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
2nd September, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
2nd September, Hock Fracture, Treated
28th September, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
14th October, Wrist Injury, Euthanised
4th November, Hock Injury, Treated
23rd November, Hock Fracture, Treated
23rd November, Muscle Injury, Treated
23rd November, Wrist Injury, Treated
22nd December, Hock Injury, Treated
LIMERICK
29th January, Fractured Leg, Euthanised
12th February, Fractured Toe, Treated
18th February, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
10th March, Fractured Hock, Treated
28th March, Fractured Leg, Treated
31st March, Fractured Hock, Treated
8th April, Leg Fracture, Treated
28th April, Wrist Injury, Euthanised
30th April, Wrist Injury, Treated
13th May, Wrist Injury, Treated
26th May, Fractured Leg, Euthanised
30th June, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
21st July, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
21st July, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
21st July, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
23rd July, Muscle Tear, Euthanised
23rd July, Damaged Tendon, Treated
28th July, Head Injury, Racing Fatality
20th August, Hock Fracture, Treated
25th August, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
17th September, Hock Fracture, Treated
1st October, Hock Fracture, Treated
22nd October, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
29th October, Hock Injury, Treated
26th November, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
MULLINGAR
2nd January, Leg injury, Treated
9th January, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
9th January, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
12th February, Fractured Hock, Euthanised
13th March, Fractured Hock, Treated
10th April, Fractured Toe, Treated
17th April, Hock Fracture, Treated
24th April, Fractured Hock, Treated
7th May, Hock Fracture, Treated
5th June, Fractured Leg, Treated
2nd July, Hock Fracture, Treated
9th July, Hock Fracture, Treated
23rd July, Hock Fracture, Treated
21st August, Hock Fracture, Treated
2nd October, Hock Fracture, Treated
23rd October, Hock Fracture, Treated
29th October, Wrist Fracture, Treated
6th November, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
11th December, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
NEWBRIDGE
7th January, Wrist Injury, Treated
14th January, Fractured Toe, Treated
11th February, Fractured Wrist, Treated
25th February, Wrist Injury, Treated
8th April, Fractured Leg, Euthanised
6th May, Wrist Fracture, Euthanised
20th May, Fractured Leg, Treated
10th June, Wrist Injury, Euthanised
17th June, Fractured Hock, Treated
17th June, Fractured Shoulder, Treated
1st July, Hock Fracture, Treated
22nd July, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
29th July, Hock Fracture, Treated
23rd September, Leg Injury, Euthanised
28th October, Wrist Injury, Euthanised
4th November, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
SHELBOURNE PARK
7th January, Cut, Treated
7th January, Muscle Injury, Treated
8th January, Tendon injury, Treated
22nd January, Fractured Hock, Treated
5th February, Dislocated Toe, Treated
11th February, Fractured Wrist, Treated
18th February, Wrist Injury, Treated
19th February, Hock Fracture, Treated
19th February, Hock Fracture, Treated
8th April, Muscle injury, Treated
9th April, Wrist Injury, Treated
21st April, Fractured Toe, Treated
21st April, Wrist injury, Treated
28th April, Hock Injury, Treated
13th May, Hock injury, Treated
19th May, Fractured Hock, Treated
19th May, Fractured Leg, Treated
18th June, Fractured Hock, Treated
18th June, Fractured Hock, Treated
24th June, Fractured Hock, Treated
25th June, Hock Fracture, Treated
2nd July, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
2nd July, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
2nd July, Muscle Injury, Treated
8th July, Wrist Fracture, Treated
9th July, Wrist Fracture, Treated
22nd July, Fractured Leg, Euthanised
28th July, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
29th July, Hock Fracture, Treated
6th August, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
3rd September, Hock Injury, Treated
8th September, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
8th September, Sudden Death, Racing Fatality
10th September, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
30th September, Wrist Injury, Treated
1st October, Wrist Injury, Treated
15th October, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
15th October, Hock Fracture, Treated
10th November, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
18th November, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
THURLES
8th January, Wrist Injury, Euthanised
15th January, Fractured Hock, Euthanised
15th January, Fractured Hock, Treated
15th January, Fractured Hock, Treated
26th March, Fractured Hock, Treated
25th June, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
23rd July, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
19th November, Wrist Fracture, Treated
3rd December, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
TRALEE
10th June, Neck Injury, Racing Fatality
16th June, Fractured Hock, Treated
9th July, Wrist Fracture, Euthanised
22nd July, Fractured Leg, Treated
30th July, Toe Fracture, Treated
30th July, Wrist Injury, Treated
19th August, Hock Fracture, Treated
17th September, Hock Fracture, Treated
27th September, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
14th October, Hock Fracture, Treated
25th October, Wrist Injury, Treated
18th November, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
2nd December, Hock Injury, Treated
16th December, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
22nd December, Sudden Death, Racing Fatality
WATERFORD
15th January, Fractured Leg, Euthanised
20th January, Fractured Hock, Treated
5th February, Fractured Leg, Treated
12th February, Fractured Toe, Treated
17th February, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
24th March, Fractured Leg, Treated
2nd April, Hock Injury, Treated
9th April, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
28th May, Fractured Hock, Euthanised
30th June, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
2nd July, Leg Fracture x 2, Euthanised
21st July, Spinal Injury, Euthanised
20th August, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
1st September, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
10th September, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
YOUGHAL
3rd January, Hock Fracture, Treated
12th January, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
2nd March, Fractured Hock, Treated
18th May, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
23rd May, Fractured Hock, Euthanised
30th May, Fractured Hock, Euthanised
30th May, Fractured Hock, Euthanised
6th June, Hock Injury, Euthanised
8th June, Wrist Injury, Treated
25th July, Hock Injury, Treated
27th July, Wrist Injury, Treated
15th August, Spinal Injury, Euthanised
15th August, Shoulder Injury, Treated
17th August, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
17th August, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
24th August, Toe Injury, Treated
7th September, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
14th September, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
14th September, Leg Injury, Treated
14th September, Muscle Injury, Treated
10th October, Hock Fracture, Treated
26th October, Hock Fracture, Treated
2nd November, Wrist Injury, Treated
7th November, Hock Fracture, Euthanised
7th November, Ruptured Tendon, Euthanised
7th November, Wrist Fracture, Euthanised
7th November, Hock Fracture, Treated
7th November, Hock Injury, Treated
9th November, Wrist Injury, Euthanised
9th November, Wrist Injury, Treated
14th November, Leg Fracture, Euthanised
16th November, Leg Injury, Treated
16th November, Toe Fracture, Treated
21st November, Leg Fracture, Treated
21st November, Wrist Fracture, Treated
5th December, Hock Fracture, Treated
REPORTED GREYHOUND INJURIES AND DEATHS AT IRISH TRACKS
2022: 287 injuries. 122 deaths
2021: 351 injuries. 154 deaths
2020: 255 injuries. 90 deaths
2019: 332 injuries. 119 deaths
2018: 353 injuries. 121 deaths
2017: 357 injuries. 124 deaths
2016: 427 injuries. 139 deaths
2015: 422 injuries. 122 deaths
2014: 266 injuries. 69 deaths (July to Dec 2014)
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