INJURY RECOVERY SCHEME IS A MASSIVE LEAP FORWARD

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain have launched the welfare equivalent of an intercontinental ballistic missile with the launch of the new Injury Recovery Scheme writes Floyd Amphlett.

A pilot of the scheme, was trialled with great success at Kinsley and highlighted on this website recently. The aim, as part of the Greyhound Commitment, is to reduce the number of the so called ‘economic euthanasias’ which occur when owners are unwilling or unable to pay for veterinary costs following serious injues. The press release reads:

Greyhound Board of Great Britain launches Injury Recovery Scheme

~ Career ending injuries do not need to be life-ending ~

The GBGB has today announced the launch of an injury recovery scheme (IRS) which will provide financial assistance to an owner whose greyhound has sustained a career-ending orthopaedic injury at a GBGB licensed racecourse.

This follows on from the launch of the Greyhound Commitment earlier this year, which sets out GBGB’s expectations of how the sport and industry should be run with greyhound welfare at its heart.

The scheme is something the GBGB has been exploring and working towards for several years, but challenges in securing long-term sustainable funding for the sport has meant that it has been delayed. The scheme is now being piloted and negotiations with the bookmakers are underway in order to allow a full and sustainable roll-out of this significant initiative.

The funding will contribute towards veterinary treatment of career-ending orthopaedic (bone) injuries so that wherever possible greyhounds can go on to enjoy a full and active life in retirement. A grant of 50% towards the veterinary costs, up to a maximum of £400 per greyhound, will be available upon application from the GBGB. Racecourses that currently manage their own injury recovery scheme for their owners will be able to apply for IRS funding on behalf of GBGB-registered owners.

Within the last week one greyhound has already benefited from the offer of financial support and underwent complex surgery of a hock fracture. Clonkeen Hawk has since been adopted by a local family who will be welcoming him into their home once he is fully recovered from surgery. David Jeans (Swindon) told the Racing Post that:

“Without the offer of help I would most likely have been unable to afford this type of surgery. I would never choose to have one of my dogs put to sleep – they’re our life and our family but occasionally we are all faced with those difficult decisions. I am delighted to report that Hawk is up and about and recovering well from his surgery.”

GBGB Veterinary Director, Dr. Simon Gower, said:

“This is the first of several initiatives that the GBGB have been working on since the launch of our Greyhound Commitment. As an industry, we must encourage responsible greyhound ownership and support our owners, trainers and racecourses to work towards the elimination of euthanasia of any greyhound on economic grounds. Several GBGB tracks already have excellent injury recovery programmes and we expect that this funding will enable all our stadia to put in place similar schemes.

“Importantly the IRS funding is open to all registered greyhounds and will support GBGB’s commitment to ensuring that a career-ending injury is not life-ending.”

To apply for IRS funding please contact the GBGB welfare department on 020 7822 0900 (option 1) or speak to your stadium welfare officer.