Dogs Trust welcomes EFRA recommendations

Dogs Trust welcomed the recommendations outlined in the report of the EFRA committee’s inquiry as a positive step forward for Greyhound welfare.

In light of the popularity of the sport and the significant turnover it generates the charity welcome the report’s onus on bookmakers who profit from greyhound racing to contribute financially to improving welfare standards.

Currently some, but not all, bookmakers pay a voluntary levy for greyhound welfare and so the charity welcomes the recommendation for this levy to be made statutory.

Fortunately, EFRA has also echoed Dogs Trust’s own concerns surrounding the self-regulation of the industry and recommended a probationary period of two years continued self-regulation

Paula Boyden, Dogs Trust veterinary director, said: “In June 2015, Dogs Trust published the findings of an in-depth three month investigation into the conditions of greyhound training kennels in the UK, where greyhounds spend approximately 95 percent of their time – yet which are not covered by current regulations.

“A review of this legislation is long overdue – Dogs Trust sincerely hopes that DEFRA will heed these recommendations as the report heralds promising changes which could bring about much needed welfare improvements in the industry.”