Numbers surround Greyhounds,
and they suffer for the ambiguity of the numbers
Registrations
The Irish Coursing Club, keepers of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book, revealed to Irish Greyhound Spotlight that 2,801 Greyhound litters were registered in 2014. The ICC average 6 pups to a litter, meaning that at least 16,806 Greyhounds were born, because of the Irish Greyhound industry, in 2014.
The ICC revealed that 14,898 Greyhounds, of racing age, were named, for use, in 2014. From the age of 13 months Greyhounds are considered adults, and of racing age. Those 14,898 Greyhounds registered in 2014 would be from 2012 and 2013 litters. The ICC went on to explain to IGS that there is no breakdown of the registration figure to show how many of those Greyhounds would be used for racing, and how many used for coursing.
The ICC revealed that 14,898 Greyhounds, of racing age, were named, for use, in 2014. From the age of 13 months Greyhounds are considered adults, and of racing age. Those 14,898 Greyhounds registered in 2014 would be from 2012 and 2013 litters. The ICC went on to explain to IGS that there is no breakdown of the registration figure to show how many of those Greyhounds would be used for racing, and how many used for coursing.
The above figures give absolute ambiguity for those attempting an accurate traceability of Greyhounds - because of this ten's of thousands of Greyhounds fall immediately into huge welfare issues as they take their first breath.
Pound Figures
Figures provided by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government for industry-registered Greyhounds in Local Authority Pounds in 2014:
Pound Figures
Figures provided by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government for industry-registered Greyhounds in Local Authority Pounds in 2014:
- 397 Greyhounds were surrendered/collected to/by LAP's
- 35 Greyhounds were seized by Dog Wardens
- 21 Greyhounds were re-homed by the LAP's or reclaimed
- 165 Greyhounds were saved by Irish rescues, already overwhelmed with other breeds of dog/animals in need.
- 245 Greyhounds were PTS(killed)by the LAP's
- 1 Greyhound remained 'on hand' on the last day of 2014
It is further known that even perfectly healthy, and perfectly adoptable, Greyhounds will be taken to, or find their way to, a pound to be PTS(killed) - Greyhounds such as Leon.
Leon was saved from a Local Authority Pound, in 2015, just 13 days after last being used for racing. Leon had 'earned' €1,847 during his use in racing - including €187 in March on a fundraising night at the dogs at Mullingar track. Fortunately GalwaySPCA could step in and save Leon from a certain, and needless, death.
The IGB recently released that they request Local Authority Pounds to report Greyhounds given to them in 'poor physical health/poor condition' so an 'immediate investigation' can be undertaken - despite ignoring such reports given to the IGB from various rescues/shelters in recent years.
The IGB recently released that they request Local Authority Pounds to report Greyhounds given to them in 'poor physical health/poor condition' so an 'immediate investigation' can be undertaken - despite ignoring such reports given to the IGB from various rescues/shelters in recent years.
Rehoming
Between 2010 and 2013 industry-assisted rehomed Greyhounds declined each year. We have been unable to receive figures for 2014. But we can see the effort so far into 2015 in the industry-assisted rehoming is uninspiring. There have been some initiatives from the IGB Welfare Officer, such as the Retired Greyhound Shows. Clonmel 2015 gives us an insight into one of the shows, but it is not clear if the Greyhounds shown are available for adoption or just retired and being judged - such as the Greyhound Dalcash Fickle, winner of the 'Golden Oldie Bitch' in the Clonmel 2015 video - still registered as being owned by Nicholas Colton, who was fined and severely reprimanded in a 2012 GBGB Disciplinary Hearing for an amphetamine positive given by Greyhound Hondo County. In 2014 Dalcash Fickle was far from retired - giving birth to her 3rd litter at 9 years old.
Deaths and track figures
In October 2014 11 Greyhounds suffered and died during export from Ireland to Spain. The IGB issued a statement on the 29th October, 6 months later in Clare Daly TD was told that 'investigations are ongoing'.
For every Saturday night in 2014, IGS recorded 717 incidents concerning the health/life/welfare of Greyhounds used on Irish tracks. Such incidents were assured to us in February 2014 by Irish Greyhound Board Welfare Officer, Barry Coleman, to be 'quite rare in Greyhound racing'.
Every year ten's of thousands of Greyhounds
are born in Ireland
Every year too few Greyhounds find homes.
Please adopt a Greyhound
Don't bet on one
