RTE Investigates programme on greyhound racing industry

Sadly, we know the answer

Because the politicians voting to fund it are involved in it. Even worse is the Irish Coursing Club, that's totally a good old boy event built around animal abuse that hides its activities.

There were some numbers in a report from the Bord na gCon after the documentary was aired that have never been audited by a third party (the specific claim of how much revenue it puts into the economy.)

Most of the Western world has banned greyhound racing, it's just a gift to the gambling industry. In fact I think a fair part of the wagering comes in from overseas bettors nowadays.

But, Maryanne84 will arise soon to defend the sanctity of greyhound racing and how its the poor small-time breeder we're going to ruin, where the problems are glaring and behaviors by breeders unchanged since the documentary, they're still (occasionally) getting into trouble with the law. Now that society is reopening, they be back to their dodgy deeds right quick.

These are two we know about. How many more do we not know about? The data is flawed.

The concerning bit is the inaccurate reporting. Both dogs are reported in Ireland one on Greyhound Racing Ireland Website and the second one as a pet when they are actually in Pakistan.

Greyhound Racing Ireland data is incorrect - so how can you say that there are no greyhounds unaccounted for - unless it does not matter if they are accounted for incorrectly. I doubt it is just two either, these are two they have been caught out for. Also, not wanting to release the report shows they know well they were in the wrong and there is a huge difference between being a pet in Ireland and being used for coursing in Pakistan. That does not tie in with the narrative though.

I dont doubt for one minute that there are many many people who care for their dogs as part of their home and for many whom it is a past time. And they are being hurt by this. Like anything else, once big money comes in, the stakes get high and corners are cut. Too many bad apples. There are too many concerning stories where greyhounds end up places like Pakistan, China, Spain and places where there are questionable animal welfare practices. The challenge for me, is that the Powers that be know, and want to cover up any wrongdoing as is the case here when they tried to stop the report being published.

How would GRI know anything about coursing dogs and where they end up?

The ignorance is astounding.

I have seen the video, its a pity the two Swedish students were not brought to justice.

These people talk about greyhounds being used to make money but I only know of one of my friends who comes close to making money and he deserves every penny he gets for the effort he puts in, I lose every year but I get more enjoyment when they run well or win a race than can be appreciated by those not involved in greyhounds.

These very same people would lie about greyhounds being euthanised in pounds when the truth is that it is in single figures and more often than not is because of someone dying leaving dogs behind them, if we are not careful they will blame people for dying while owning greyhounds.

Oh I saw that documentary that took artistic licence to a new level, there are very few in the greyhound industry that would not admit there is a very small minority of bad apples in the sport which is the same as all other sports in reality.

Thankfully the Government have laws now which will allow GRI to regulate the sport without two hands tied behind their backs,

What was previously stopping them from enacting rules to stop abusive trainers from being able to continue competing? Genuine question because I'd have thought they could have done that without needing laws

The rule of law was stopping them, they are a semi state and have to abide by the laws of the land.

They canvassed for years to get a change in the law, they got it in the last couple of years, there is an extremely low level of drug cheats with greyhounds, the positives from total tests are minuscule and most positives are for anti inflammatories, the more serious positives are dealt with severely since the change in law.

You're going to have to explain a bit better than that because one of the primary reasons for founding BnaG was the regulation of the greyhound industry. From the 1958 Act:

As well as being able to fine them up to 50 pounds 😁

I'm not going to claim to be a legal or semi-state expert, but it sounds like they have always had the discretion to revoke licenses if needs be. What was stopping them from dictating what those reasons were and what needs to be done to get a license renewed?

The documentary did plenty of that. Are you looking for a new one? Can you give us an honest accounting of positive benefits to Ireland from a 20 million annual euro subsidy versus spending that money on, say, hospital beds?