Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of greyhounds while at the track

An enormous amount of time and effort goes into ensuring everything at the track is as safe as it possibly can be for the greyhounds that race there and that their welfare is paramount. That covers everything from a safe racing surface and surrounding areas, all mechanical aspects of the operating system and conditions in the kennels that the dogs are housed in before and after their races. 

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has strict requirements regarding trainer vehicles, so greyhounds are protected to and from the track. Cages in the vans need to meet size guidance and there must be air conditioning in the vans. Likewise, the GBGB requires racing kennels to fall within specified size limits and have heating and cooling equipment fitted to ensure the greyhounds are housed in perfect temperatures. All racing kennels are designed so that the greyhounds can be seen while they are housed in them. Greyhounds are kennelled singly and are supplied with a comfortable mat to lay on and sufficient water to remain hydrated before, and briefly after, a race.  After a race there are facilities for washing and cooling down the dogs. Many tracks have either a temporary or permanent shallow pool for the greyhounds to paddle in to cool down when it is particularly hot. 

The GBGB Stipendiary Stewards regularly inspect their designated tracks to look at kennel condition and all track equipment such as traps, the hare rail and surrounding areas. They can issue immediate improvement notices to the track management should they see anything that is worn or not up to the required condition for the dogs. 

There is little in the GBGB rules pertaining to the track surfaces themselves, as no two surfaces are the same. They work closely with STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute) so there are regular site visits and interaction between the Institute and track maintenance staff. They use data and research to help the staff know what they have to consider when preparing their own track. The GBGB funds four visits per year, as part of the GBGB Welfare Strategy. During these, there is discussion and training allowing the staff to understand what works for their track in terms of watering, harrowing and plating. Tracks now have equipment to measure and record water levels, camber and firmness of the surface around and across the track. Tracks can use this data to ensure the running surface is as consistent as possible for all competitors in all weather conditions; running authentically but having optimum compaction to avoid injuries. 

The STRI visits also help track staff to notice and understand how the running surface relates to other infrastructure such as the lure and the traps. Signs of wear and tear as well as any mistiming of the traps could cause harm so they must be addressed immediately. The hare rail is also a focus particularly regarding how it sits with the surface. Any raised ironwork could cause injury to paws. The STRI have worked with tracks to make improvements from safety barriers to entire track redesigns and water recycling systems; all to ensure the safety of the dogs.