The remains of a number of dogs have been discovered in a shallow grave in a bog around a mile from the famous Newbridge Greyhound Stadium in Ireland.
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is calling for an investigation after the grim discovery by a member of the public walking at Roseberry Bog, Newbridge on August 31.
And Greyhound Racing Ireland has appealed to the public to report any similar discoveries or welfare concerns to their 24/7 confidential Greyhound Care Line.
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It is understood the grave site contained the remains of several dogs believed to be Greyhounds including intact skeletons, skulls and other bones plus a plastic muzzle used to cover these racing dogs' mouths.
A spokesperson for the anti-blood sports campaign group said: "We are calling on the Gardai and the Department of Agriculture to investigate, following the shocking discovery of greyhound remains in a bog in Newbridge, Co Kildare. Among the remains, a greyhound muzzle is visible.
"This is not the first time that greyhound remains have been found dumped in the countryside by unscrupulous greyhound owners.
"In Ballyagran, Co Limerick, in 2012, the remains of six greyhounds were found at a disused dump, having been shot in the head, while in 2005 the mutilated remains of three greyhounds were found floating in a river in the Dungarvan area.
"These dumped greyhounds are the victims of the cruel greyhound racing industry that sees thousands of greyhounds abandoned and killed each year."
The group said around 6,000 Greyhounds are killed every year because they do not make the grade as racing dogs and referred to an RTE investigation which reported that a total of 17,962 greyhounds were culled in 2013, 2014 and 2015. They are reported to have been were euthanised for “failure to produce qualifying times”, “failure to produce desired entry level times” and for an “unacceptable decline in performance”.
It is understood the was grave was exposed this week after a bout of good weather left the bog drier than normal.
A spokeswoman for Greyhound Racing Ireland said: "We have not received any report regarding the purported discovery in Co Kildare. From the published photographs it appears that the animal carcasses, as yet to be confirmed to be registered Greyhounds, have been at this location for a significant period of time.
"GRI has today liaised with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Kildare County Council and An Garda Siochana who also have not received any information regarding the reported finding.
"It should be noted that GRI is not the Regulatory Authority for every Greyhound born in Ireland but takes very seriously and acts upon any breach of welfare or mistreatment of any registered greyhound brought to its attention. Greyhounds are registered with the ICC and Greyhounds registered may never race or become known to GRI.
"A full Traceability System for Racing Greyhounds (RCÉTS) has been in operation since January 2021 and those that do not comply with the provision of appropriate updates, are prevented from racing at GRI licensed Stadia.
"The discovery in Kildare is being investigated by our welfare department. Consultation with other agencies is ongoing in relation to the matter.
"GRI would appeal to members of the public to report any such discoveries or welfare concerns to GRI's 24/7 confidential Greyhound Care Line, on 061 448100 / confidential@grireland.ie."
A spokesperson for BanBloodSports, said: "Greyhounds are also dying at tracks. Greyhound Racing Ireland statistics show that at races around Ireland in the past nine years, at least 2,881 greyhounds suffered injuries and 983 died or were killed.
“The government is again being urged to stop the massive grants that are propping up this cruel, dog-killing gambling activity. Since 2001, Greyhound Racing Ireland has received €309 million in funding, including €16.8 million for 2020, €19.2 million for 2021 and €17.6 million for 2022.”
Almost 177,000 people have now signed a petition calling on the Irish Government to stop funding greyhound racing. The Irish Council Against Blood Sports said: "Greyhound Racing Ireland which has control over track racing and hare coursing, has received more than a quarter of a billion euros in government grants since 2001, including €19.2 million for 2021 while other desperately needy sectors of Irish society are crying out for funding. "
The first greyhound race track on the island of Ireland years ago in Belfast, followed shortly afterwards by a second track at Shelbourne Park in Dublin.
Currently there are 14 greyhound tracks in the Republic of Ireland – Galway, Dublin, Dundalk, Enniscorthy, Kilkenny, Mullingar, Newbridge, Clonmel, Cork, Limerick, Thurles, Tralee, Waterford and Youghal. In 2019 two further tracks were shut down, Lifford and Longford.
These all are under the control of Bord na gCon which was renamed Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCE) (Greyhound Racing Ireland) in 2020.
The first greyhound race track in Ireland was opened 96 years ago in Belfast, followed by a second track at Shelbourne Park in Dublin.
There are now 14 greyhound tracks operating in Ireland in Galway, Dublin, Dundalk, Enniscorthy, Kilkenny, Mullingar, Newbridge, Clonmel, Cork, Limerick, Thurles, Tralee, Waterford and Youghal. These all are under the control of Bord na gCon which was renamed Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCE) (Greyhound Racing Ireland) in 2020. In 2019 Lifford and Longford were shut down.
In Northern Ireland the Brandywell Greyhound Track in Derry and Drumbo Greyhound Stadium in Co Antrim are operating. Last month Drumbo cancelled a race meeting due to the extreme heat forecast, saying: “The welfare of the Racing Greyhounds must always be our priority and given the high forecasted evening temperatures the decision to cancel has been made on this basis.”
Rep orted Greyhound injuries and deaths at Irish race tracks
2022 (up to 30 June): 118 injuries and 45 deaths
2021: 351 injuries and 154 deaths
2020: 255 injuries and 90 deaths
2019: 332 injuries and 119 deaths
2018: 353 injuries and 121 deaths
2017: 357 injuries and 124 deaths
2016: 427 injuries and 139 deaths
2015: 422 injuries and 122 deaths
2014: 266 injuries and 69 deaths (July to Dec 2014)
Greyhound injuries and deaths by track
2022 (1st January to the end of June)
Clonmel – 7 injuries, 5 deaths
Cork – 9 injuries, 4 deaths
Dundalk – 6 injuries, 5 deaths
Enniscorthy – 6 injuries, 2 deaths
Galway – 8 injuries, 4 deaths
Kilkenny – 8 injuries, 2 deaths + 1 racing fatality (collapsed)
Limerick – 12 injuries, 5 deaths
Mullingar – 10 injuries, 3 deaths
Newbridge – 8 injuries, 3 deaths
Shelbourne Park – 21 injuries, 0 deaths
Thurles – 6 injuries, 3 deaths
Tralee – 1 injury, 0 deaths
Waterford – 9 injuries, 4 deaths
Youghal – 7 injuries, 4 deaths
2021
Clonmel: 24 injuries, 9 deaths
Curraheen Park: 29 injuries, 12 deaths
Dundalk: 13 injuries, 12 deaths
Enniscorthy: 32 injuries, 13 deaths
Galway: 17 injuries, 8 deaths
Kilkenny: 18 injuries, 12 deaths
Limerick: 38 injuries, 11 deaths
Mullingar: 31 injuries, 20 deaths
Newbridge: 15 injuries, 8 deaths
Shelbourne Park: 42 injuries, 15 deaths
Thurles: 12 injuries, 4 deaths
Tralee: 23 injuries, 13 deaths
Waterford: 37 injuries, 10 deaths
Youghal: 20 injuries, 7 deaths
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Greyhound injuries and deaths by track
2020
Clonmel: 11 injuries, 3 deaths
Curraheen Park: 18 injuries, 9 deaths
Dundalk: 10 injury, 1 death
Enniscorthy: 15 injuries, 6 deaths
Galway: 22 injuries, 6 deaths
Kilkenny: 11 injuries, 3 deaths
Limerick: 21 injuries, 5 deaths (4 destroyed, 1 fatality)
Longford: 2 injuries, 1 death
Mullingar: 19 injuries, 12 deaths
Newbridge: 9 injuries, 6 deaths
Shelbourne Park: 18 injuries, 4 deaths (3 destroyed, 1 fatality)
Thurles: 11 injuries, 8 deaths
Tralee: 29 injuries, 7 deaths
Waterford: 48 injuries, 10 deaths
Youghal: 11 injury, 9 deaths
2019
Clonmel: 12 injuries, 4 deaths
Curraheen Park: 29 injuries, 11 deaths
Dundalk: 11 injuries, 6 deaths
Enniscorthy: 30 injuries, 4 deaths
Galway: 29 injuries, 8 deaths
Kilkenny: 16 injuries, 3 deaths
Lifford: 11 injuries, 8 deaths
Limerick: 54 injuries, 19 deaths
Longford: 10 injuries, 3 deaths
Mullingar: 13 injuries, 8 deaths
Newbridge: 16 injuries, 8 deaths
Shelbourne Park: 32 injuries, 7 deaths
Thurles: 9 injuries, 5 deaths
Tralee: 37 injuries, 12 deaths
Waterford: 13 injuries, 7 deaths
Youghal: 10 injuries, 6 deaths
2018
Clonmel: 18 injuries, 7 deaths
Curraheen Park: 28 injuries, 13 deaths
Dundalk: 11 injuries, 6 deaths
Enniscorthy: 27 injuries, 1 death
Galway: 31 injuries, 7 deaths
Kilkenny: 13 injuries, 2 deaths
Lifford: 13 injuries, 7 deaths
Limerick: 58 injuries, 15 deaths
Longford: 08 injuries, 1 death
Mullingar: 27 injuries, 13 deaths
Newbridge: 16 injuries, 8 deaths
Shelbourne Park: 41 injuries, 12 deaths
Thurles: 09 injuries, 6 deaths
Tralee: 29 injuries, 10 deaths
Waterford: 11 injuries, 7 deaths
Youghal: 13 injuries, 6 deaths
2017
Clonmel 11 injuries, 03 deaths
Curraheen Park 21 injuries, 08 deaths
Dundalk 44 injuries, 10 deaths
Enniscorthy 18 injuries, 04 deaths
Galway 24 injuries, 10 deaths
Harold’s Cross 02 injuries, 01 deaths
Kilkenny 08 injuries, 03 deaths
Lifford 10 injuries, 06 deaths
Limerick 46 injuries, 19 deaths
Longford 13 injuries,05 deaths
Mullingar 71 injuries,16 deaths
Newbridge 17 injuries, 04 deaths
Shelbourne Park 21 injuries, 10 deaths
Thurles 10 injuries, 03 deaths
Tralee 24 injuries, 15 deaths
Waterford 10 injuries, 06 deaths
Youghal 07 injuries, 01 deaths
2016
Clonmel 24 v 08 deaths
Curraheen Park 24 injuries, 08 deaths
Dundalk 23 injuries,15 deaths
Enniscorthy 06 injuries, 05 deaths
Galway 23 injuries, 04 deaths
Harold’s Cross 35 injuries, 11 deaths
Kilkenny 13 injuries, 02 deaths
Lifford 10 injuries, 04 deaths
Limerick 34 injuries, 12 deaths
Longford 17 injuries,10 deaths
Mullingar 81 injuries, 15 deaths
Newbridge 21 injuries, 06 deaths
Shelbourne Park 51 injuries, 07 deaths
Thurles 18 injuries, 05 deaths
Tralee 28 injuries, 16 deaths
Waterford 14 injuries, 08 deaths
Youghal 05 injuries,03 deaths
2015
Clonmel 14 injuries, 03 deaths
Curraheen Park 24 injuries, 07 deaths
Dundalk 32 injuries, 16 deaths
Enniscorthy 14 injuries, 06 deaths
Galway 16 injuries, 03 deaths
Harold’s Cross 58 injuries, 07 deaths
Kilkenny 10 injuries, 06 deaths
Lifford 18 injuries, 02 deaths
Limerick 64 injuries, 13 deaths
Longford 14 injuries, 07 deaths
Mullingar 59 injuries, 14 deaths
Newbridge 11 injuries, 07 deaths
Shelbourne Park 33 injuries, 07 deaths
Thurles 11 injuries,05 deaths
Tralee 11 injuries, 04 deaths
Waterford 26 injuries, 12 deaths
Youghal 7 injuries, 03 deaths
