Dr Simon Gower, Veterinary Director at GBGB, has been pivotal in improving the welfare of the UK’s racing greyhounds for 25 years.

Greyhounds are instinctive chasers. Racing and chasing are in their DNA, much like how a Border Collie naturally herds sheep, or how a Labrador loves retrieving a stick. Greyhounds thrive when they can do what comes naturally to them, which is why it’s essential their welfare continues to be prioritised, both on and off the track.

Allowing greyhounds to fulfil their instinctive needs is what drives our work to ensure the best care and welfare practices are given to every single racing greyhound, from birth to track, and from track to retirement.

However, the cost of this work is continuing to rise while the voluntary levy paid by some bookmakers – should they decide to do so – has stood still, which is why I am keen to shed more light on how the industry cares for racing greyhounds and underline why it is crucial that a statutory levy on bookmakers is introduced.

What we have achieved with our welfare strategy so far is a consistent standard across all trainers, kennels and race tracks – and all of the decisions we make are science-based, and backed up by academic research.

This includes minimum kennel dimensions, quality of housing for the dogs, biosecurity and hygiene practices – including how often are they exercised, how are they fed, how are they housed and how much social interaction they have with people and other animals.

Dogs are like humans – if you’re comfortable, well-fed and feel safe then you’re probably quite content – that is a non-negotiable for us as a sport, and always will be.

That’s not enough for us though, and our efforts are ongoing to take greyhound welfare to the next level – as outlined in our updated and wide-ranging A Good Life for Every Greyhound strategy.

Ultimately, we want to see trainers with greater financial autonomy to enhance their dogs’ daily lives – particularly emotionally and behaviourally.

Racing greyhounds are “man’s best friend” just like other dog breeds where they will retire to someone’s sofa, so we want to see them wagging their tails and see them playing throughout their lives.

So, what difference do I think a statutory levy would make?

• Investment in a centre of excellence, where experts in greyhound medicine and surgery could provide state-of-the-art rehabilitation for retired racers, ensuring they receive the highest level of care after their racing careers
• Allow trainers to maintain the highest standards of overall healthcare for their dogs without having to compromise on other essential costs
• Additional staff for trainers to give their dogs enhanced levels of interaction and care
• Continue to feed their dogs a premium diet for years to come, based on scientific research

With additional funding from bookmakers, trainers would have more flexibility in what they can offer their dogs, whether that’s enhanced nutrition, improved transport, or additional staff to provide care and attention.

As an industry we have around 100 licensed track vets who play a key role in assessing greyhounds before and after races at tracks to check they are fit and healthy, and having a centre of excellence would complement the great work they do in helping greyhounds to live long and fulfilling lives.

Vets, trainers and owners alike all want to see their greyhounds with a wag in their tail and playfully socialising with other dogs, from birth right through to when they retire from the track and end up in their forever home.

All of this dedicated work – and plans for the future – cannot bear fruit without the introduction of a statutory levy. We wouldn’t stop a Border Collie from herding sheep or a Labrador from retrieving a stick, and we shouldn’t stop greyhounds from doing what they do best either.

That’s why I am urging as many people as possible to keep the welfare of greyhounds on track by signing our upcoming petition to force a parliamentary debate on the issue.