Ireland has been urged to follow Wales’ example and ban greyhound racing. 

The Welsh Government has said it is looking to get rid of dog racing "as soon as practically possible" in an effort to protect the welfare of the animals.

There is only one greyhound racing track in Wales and Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said it was not “impossible” to think it would be closed by the time of the next election in 2026. 

In Ireland, there are 17 greyhound racing tracks, which employ some 4,000 people. 

The Government has described greyhound racing as “an integral part of the social fabric of our country”. 

Budget 2025 allocated the horse and greyhound racing industries a €99 million subsidy and Minister Martin Heydon insisted that “funding for this sector is especially important for rural Ireland.”

Greyhounds. Picture by: Alamy.com

However, Greyhound Action Ireland's Nuala Donlon said most Irish people do not want the Government to subsidise the controversial sport. 

“A Red C poll carried out in 2019 showed that 66% of Irish people did not want taxpayers’ money being spent on greyhound racing,” she said. 

“An Norstat poll carried out last autumn showed that that figure had gone up to 70%. 

“There is no question; people do not want public funding of greyhound racing and without public funding of greyhound racing, greyhound racing couldn’t exist.”

Dogs chase the race leader. Picture by: Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport

Opponents of greyhound racing believe momentum is building behind support for a ban. 

“[The Welsh ban] follows one just before Christmas in New Zealand,” Ms Donlon said. 

“Last July, the last greyhound track closed down in Mexico. 

“So, it’s very welcome and we, obviously, would want the same thing to happen in this country.” 

New Zealand’s ban on greyhound racing will come into force in 2026, with the Government criticising the “unacceptably high” rates of injuries and deaths among the dogs.

Main image: Greyhound racing. Picture by: Alamy.com