6,000 racing greyhounds are killed every year in Ireland because they are deemed to be too slow, a new investigation reveals. 

The Irish Greyhound Board paid consultancy specialists Preferred Results Ltd €115,000 to prepare a report in 2017.

The business analysis reveals that while 16,000 dogs are bred every year, 5,987 greyhounds were slaughtered because they failed to achieve qualification times or were declining in speed. 

‘RTÉ Investigates’ has exposed reckless overbreeding of the species, with 1000% more greyhound pups being bred than the sport needs.

And a new documentary called ‘Greyhounds, Running for Their Lives’ revealed that half of Irish knackeries contacted by investigators said they would kill greyhounds for €10 to €35 each.

The shocking documentary shows dogs being shot and dumped into skips, while it exposes how the industry exports animals to China for the underground illegal racing industry.

According to investigators the industry receives €16.8m in funding from the Government every year.

What do you think of this investigation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Oli Gross

Oli’s career and personal ethical values both help shape his reporting of the diverse world of veganism. His background is in local newspaper and magazine journalism, and his work has included reporting court cases, celebrity interviews, business analysis, food and drink features and government legislation.

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