Lifford greyhound track records 14 greyhound deaths in eight months

Fourteen greyhounds have been killed at Lifford greyhound track in the first eight months of 2025, according to newly released official figures.

Data obtained by People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy through a Dáil question to the Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, reveals that 20 greyhounds suffered injuries while racing at the Lifford venue between January and the end of August.

Fourteen of those dogs were killed - 13 were euthanised by the track vet and one which died after suffering a lacerated humeral artery during a race on June 28.

The injuries recorded at Lifford included broken or fractured hocks, a fractured tibia, a fractured radius and ulna, a broken calcaneus with bone protruding, and an injured dew claw. 

The official injury log details a series of cases showing the physical toll of the sport.

Among the incidents listed were three greyhounds injured during racing on February 1, two treated for fractured hocks and one euthanised. On March 15th, a greyhound with a fractured metacarpal bone was put down by the track vet. Several more followed through spring and summer, culminating in a run of deaths in May, June and August.

The 14 deaths at Lifford so far this year already exceed the total recorded there for the whole of 2024, when 13 greyhounds were killed.

Since 2015, 123 greyhounds have been injured while racing at Lifford, with 62 of them losing their lives, according to Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) records. The track reopened in 2023 after a period of closure between 2020 and 2022.

Across Ireland, 138 greyhounds were killed and 242 injured during racing in the first eight months of 2025. More than half of those injured dogs (134 in total) were euthanised by track vets, while four others died in what are described as “racing fatalities.”

Lifford is among the tracks with the highest number of deaths this year, alongside Youghal (16 killed) and Limerick (14). The percentage of injured greyhounds euthanised at Lifford stands at 68%, compared to a national average of 56%.

Campaigners note that the national figures do not include greyhounds injured but later killed off-site, nor those injured during trials, meaning the true numbers may be higher.

Animal welfare advocates have described the figures from Lifford as “deeply disturbing” and renewed calls for the government to end state funding of greyhound racing.

Since 2001, Greyhound Racing Ireland has received almost €367 million in public money. That includes €18.2 million for 2023, €19 million for 2024 and €19.82 million for 2025. A further €19.82 million has already been earmarked in Budget 2026.

Campaigners argue that taxpayer funding is keeping an industry alive that would otherwise not be commercially sustainable.

The new data also highlight the ongoing toll of injuries and deaths at Lifford since the reopening of the venue.

In 2023, 19 greyhounds were injured there and eight were killed (seven euthanised by a vet and one a racing fatality). The track had been closed for several years before reopening. Prior to closure, annual injury and death figures were lower, but campaigners say the consistent pattern of fatalities over time reflects a deeper problem within the sport.

Nationally, since 2014, 3,938 greyhounds have been injured during races at Irish tracks, with 1,534 killed.

The figures obtained by Deputy Murphy have reignited debate over state funding for greyhound racing. Murphy said the ongoing deaths show “a total disregard for animal welfare in the pursuit of gambling profit” and called for the abolition of subsidies to the sport.

A RED C opinion poll commissioned by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports found that two-thirds of the public want the government to stop funding greyhound racing, with just 16% in favour of continuing support. A separate survey by Norstat for GREY2K USA Worldwide found that 70% oppose state subsidies for the industry, with only 11% in favour.

Petitions urging the government to end funding for the sport have gathered more than 400,000 signatures to date.

Read next: Return of 'Oaks' race to give significant boost to Lifford Greyhound Stadium

Greyhound Racing Ireland has stated that it is committed to high animal welfare standards and operates under veterinary supervision at all tracks. However, the latest figures, obtained through parliamentary questioning, have raised concerns about the adequacy of oversight and the true extent of injuries sustained by greyhounds in racing and training.

Campaigners note that GRI’s statistics only cover injuries “seen” by track vets. Greyhounds injured but removed from the track for treatment elsewhere, or those suffering so-called “minor injuries,” are not recorded.

Animal welfare groups say this means the true scale of suffering is likely much greater than official figures suggest.

Lifford Greyhound Track – 2025 Injuries and Deaths
February 1, 2025: Broke left hock – Euthanised by track vet
February 1, 2025: Broke left hock – Treated
February 1, 2025: Fractured right hock – Treated
February 16, 2025: Fractured right radius – Euthanised by track vet
March 2, 2025: Injured right wrist – Treated
March 2, 2025: Neck pain – Treated
March 9, 2025: Right hock fracture – Treated
March 15, 2025: Fractured left metacarpal – Euthanised by track vet
March 23, 2025: Fractured left radius – Euthanised by track vet
April 20, 2025: Fractured left hock – Euthanised by track vet
April 27, 2025: Right hock fracture – Euthanised by track vet
May 4, 2025: Dew claw injury – Treated
May 17, 2025: Broke right hock – Euthanised by track vet
May 17, 2025: Broke right hock – Euthanised by track vet
May 25, 2025: Broke calcaneus, bone protruding – Euthanised by track vet
June 28, 2025: Lacerated humeral artery – Racing fatality
July 20, 2025: Broke right hock – Euthanised by track vet
August 9, 2025: Fractured radius and ulna – Euthanised by track vet
August 9, 2025: Fractured radius and ulna – Euthanised by track vet
August 10. 2025: Fractured tibia – Euthanised by track vet