04/11/2025
26 greyhound injuries and 11 deaths in 2025 at Mullingar stadium
Westmeath Examiner, 1 Nov 2025
Newly released figures reveal that 26 greyhounds were injured and 11 killed at Mullingar Greyhound Stadium in the first eight months of 2025.
The figures, obtained by Paul Murphy, TD, following a DƔil question, show injuries including fractured hocks, broken wrists and legs, torn muscles, and jugular vein wounds.
Across Ireland, a total of 242 greyhounds were injured and 138 killed at tracks between January and August, and four further racing fatalities were recorded. At Mullingar, serious injuries led to more than 40% of affected dogs being euthanised by track veterinarians. The latest data takes the cumulative toll at Mullingar since 2015 to 419 injuries and 143 deaths.
Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI), asked to comment on the figures, confirmed there had been some fatalities.
"5,922 greyhounds raced in Mullingar Stadium between January and the end of September 2025," the body stated, going on to say that while it was regrettable that there had been some fatalities, 99.8% of the starters completed their races.
"All of the injuries are documented. All injured dogs are attended to by a veterinary surgeon at the track. Depending on the injury, putting the dog to sleep is sometimes the most humane option," the statement stated.
Continuing, GRI said that all active dogs are liable to suffer injury whether at play or as a result of accidents, such as car accidents. However, only injuries suffered by greyhounds are documented.
"Greyhounds are among the best cared for of all breeds. In 2024 RĆ”saĆocht Con Ćireann (GRI) conducted over 2,000, mainly unannounced welfare inspections on greyhound premises, as part of the industry's efforts to ensure high welfare standards.
"95% of those inspections were found to be fully compliant; a further 3.8% were satisfactory with advisory recommendations; less than 1% required the intervention of an officer where a direction to carry out improvements was given."
Condemned
Animal welfare campaigners have condemned the continued funding of the industry, pointing to ā¬19.82 million allocated to Greyhound Racing Ireland in 2025, and a further ā¬19.82 million earmarked in Budget 2026.
Nuala Donlon of Greyhound Action Ireland said in a statement: "These figures show the ongoing suffering at tracks like Mullingar. Thousands more greyhounds are killed behind the scenes simply because they are deemed surplus or uncompetitive. It is time the government ends public subsidies for this cruel activity."
The report underscores the national picture of 3,938 greyhounds injured and 1,534 killed in racing since 2014, Ms Donlon said, while figures for injuries and deaths at trials and private settings remain largely unrecorded, she concluded.
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