Minister defends greyhound industry’s animal welfare ‘investment’ amid criticism

Greyhound racing is “one of the most glaring animal welfare horrors in Ireland”, the Green Party has said, as the Agriculture Minister defended the industry’s record.

Advocacy group Greyhound Action Ireland has criticised the more than 20 million euro allocated to greyhound racing in Budget 2027 as “unjustifiable from either an economic or animal welfare perspective”.

It says the industry is unviable and has a a “reprehensible” animal welfare record.

It has raised concerns that thousands of greyhounds born between 2021 and 2024 – which are still on the island but no longer racing or trialling – have been recorded as dead.

Thousands of other dogs have been exported.

Green leader Roderic O’Gorman said an existing tracing systems shows the “tragic fate of thousands of greyhounds” who are deemed not good enough for racing and “disappear off the system or are exported to other countries to God-knows-what sort of conditions”.

He said Ireland has a “shocking reputation” as the place to go for a cheap dog in Europe, adding: “I don’t think that’s something we should be proud of as a country.”

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, he said: “I welcome the fact the Government is bringing forward an animal welfare strategy today, but one of the most glaring animal welfare horrors in Ireland right now is the greyhound industry.”

Mr O’Gorman said greyhound racing was “creating huge suffering to thousands of dogs every day” and there was a need to break the link of state funding for the industry.

“If the State wasn’t funding greyhound racing, greyhound racing wouldn’t be happening because – greyhound racing does not wash its face, it is not financially viable.”

Earlier, Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon brought a new animal welfare strategy to Cabinet and told reporters: “I am really determined that we continue to strive to improve animal welfare across all facets of society.

“Part of that involves improving enforcement and, in certain instances, changing legislation and strengthening legislation.

“But it’s also about collaborating with all arms of the State, whether it’s our local authorities, our dog wardens, and the gardaí and beyond.”

The term “greyhound” does not appear in the strategy.

Asked what the strategy would do for greyhounds dying as a result of their involvement with racing, Mr Heydon said: “Rásaíocht Con Éireann (Greyhound Racing Ireland) have very significant investment and programme around animal welfare strategies and beyond.

“And from all elements of animal welfare, you see the strategy being really, really important – and that comes across from greyhounds, from horses, from much-loved companion animals, from family pets, from farmed animals.

“But also awareness. So you have the general public who, you know, are unaware that their much-loved family dog can actually create and cause sheep worrying and beyond – and that’s something that’s really important.”

Pressed on whether he had concerns about greyhound deaths, the Minister said: “I support the greyhound industry and the work they’re doing around welfare and the really high standards they have in terms of increasing the investment in welfare.

“And I’ve been proud to be able to increase the funding for elements of welfare through the Horse and Greyhound Fund, and something I’ll continue to do.”

Greyhound Action Ireland spokeswoman Nuala O’Dolan said the remarks “ring hollow” given the support for the industry.

She told the Press Association: “The single most effective action Minister Heydon could take if he is genuinely interested in improving animal welfare in this country is to end the public funding of greyhound racing forthwith.”

Rásaíocht Con Éireann (Greyhound Racing Ireland) said the industry has “a rich and valued heritage and has a deep sporting and cultural history in Ireland”.

It said stadia are active across 15 locations with up to 30 race meetings per week, providing “exciting entertainment and hospitality”.

It said it has “a well-developed welfare inspection and greyhound sampling programme” which it said shows “exceptional standards” of animal welfare and transparency.

It said: “In 2025, welfare inspections undertaken which focus on standards at premises and greyhound welfare, had a 95.55% level of compliance with the standards required as set out in our Code of Practice for the Care and Welfare of Greyhounds.”

It added that there was an “exceptionally low level of injury at greyhound racing tracks” with the percentage of those greyhounds who raced at tracks without incurring an injury at 99.63%.

Asked if the he had regrets over supporting the industry during his time in the last Government, Mr O’Gorman said: “It was something I would have loved to have been able to do more in the last Government.

“When we were negotiating the programme for government, I remember that night. I remember as a party having to make a concession on that point.

“It was really hard for the party. It’s really hard for me personally, as someone who is a dog lover and something I feel passionately about.

“We got many key green wins in that programme for government, animal welfare wasn’t one – we were very honest with our party members at the time, but I’m determined to continue to shine a light on this issue.”

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger accused the Government of “going backwards” by increasing State support.

She said: “Greyhound racing should not be state-funded whatsoever. It shouldn’t exist, but the State shouldn’t support it.

“It would collapse without that State support.”

She added: “There’s nothing positive about this, and it just needs to be stopped now.”