Dogs Trust welcomes Drumbo Park closure as “beginning of the end” for greyhound racing
Dogs Trust has welcomed the permanent closure of Drumbo Park Greyhound Stadium in Co Down saying it hopes the news signals the beginning of the end for greyhound racing in Northern Ireland.
The closure leaves Brandywell Stadium in Derry~Londonderry as Northern Ireland’s only remaining greyhound racing track.
Dogs Trust believes it is another sign of declining public interest in the so-called sport and is renewing its call for a phased end to greyhound racing across the UK.
Laura Orr, Regional Public Affairs Officer at Dogs Trust said: “We welcome the closure of Drumbo Park and hope it marks the beginning of the end for this cruel and outdated so-called sport.
"Greyhounds should not be put at risk of serious injury or death simply for entertainment.
“Our priority now must be the dogs connected with the track.
"Every greyhound must be accounted for, properly cared for and given the opportunity to become a much-loved companion.
"Northern Ireland should follow Wales and Scotland by committing to a managed, phased end to greyhound racing.”
Data published by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) found that nearly 4,400 greyhounds died or were put to sleep at GBGB licensed tracks in Great Britain between 2017 and 2025, with more than 38,000 injuries recorded.
There is no publicly available injury or fatality data for the tracks in Northern Ireland.
A recent report published by Dogs Trust, Blue Cross, Hope Rescue, and the RSPCA concluded that racing at speed around oval tracks is inherently dangerous and that welfare concerns affect greyhounds throughout their lives.
It also found that the number of licensed tracks had fallen by 30% over the preceding decade, and the only way to safeguard the welfare of racing greyhounds is for there to be a phased end to greyhound racing across the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland.