Irish racetracks record highest number of greyhound deaths since records began

Altogether there was a jump of 51% in injuries and deaths at Irish tracks last year on 2023. File picture: Thinkstock

More than 200 greyhounds died at Irish racetracks in 2024 — the worst year for fatalities in the sport in Ireland since records began 10 years ago and a jump of more than 50% on 2023’s figures.

In addition to the 202 animals either euthanised or who died at the track, a further 187 greyhounds were injured at Ireland’s 15 greyhound stadiums in 2024.

An additional 16 injuries were recorded at official and unofficial trials around the country, with 11 of those animals subsequently also being euthanised.

All told there was a jump of 51% in injuries and deaths at Irish tracks last year on 2023, when 134 dogs died, per the new figures which were released to People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy.

The news comes just 24 hours after Wales became the latest country to commit to banning greyhound racing outright. Greyhound racing in Ireland received €19.82m from the Government in Budget 2025 last October via the Horse and Greyhound Fund.

Greyhound Racing Ireland

Asked why the number of fatalities had increased so markedly, and what is being done to mitigate those statistics, a spokesperson for industry body Greyhound Racing Ireland said that, while any increase in injuries is “regrettable”, nevertheless “small fluctuations will occur from year to year”.

They noted that overall injuries fell from 285 to 257 in 2023, albeit the number of official dog fatalities that year actually increased by 12.

“(GRI) works closely with greyhound owners/trainers to ensure every effort is made to minimise injuries to racing greyhounds at all tracks," the spokesperson said.

Asked if the organisation could understand the Welsh government moving to ban racing given the level of fatalities seen in Ireland last year, the spokesperson noted that “GRI and greyhound racing in Ireland enjoys significant support from Government and welcomes the ongoing commitment to the sport and industry in the Programme for Government”.