ISPCA calls for phased closure of greyhound industry 

THE ISPCA says it is calling on the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) to urgently examine “the appalling animal welfare and export issues linked with the greyhound industry”.

The animal welfare charity say it also wants a review of the enormous allocation of funding supporting such an industry, given the governance issues and numerous failings on the part of the bodies tasked with regulating greyhound racing and the coursing industry in Ireland.

In a statement, the ISPCA said it believed the greyhound industry to be “in decline.” 

“The ISPCA is raising concerns about the welfare of greyhounds and that includes before, during and after their racing lives, and is seeking a ban on the export of greyhounds to non-EU countries, with poor animal welfare standards,” the statement said. 

“This is something that we have been raising previously over the past number of years.  

 “The ISPCA will continue to highlight their concerns for greyhounds involved in racing – particularly focusing on the massive issue of over-production as well as the unacceptable number of dogs currently unaccounted for.  

 “We believe that the greyhound industry is flawed and in decline, and that its end is inevitable.  

“The charity is disappointed by the State funding provided for the industry and would welcome the start of discussions on a plan to phase-out the industry and a plan to address the large numbers of dogs that would be impacted so their welfare is not compromised.”