Figures reveal twelve dogs killed at Kilkenny dog track in 2025

Eighteen greyhounds were injured and 12 dogs were killed at Kilkenny Racing Track in 2025 according to official figures.

Figures issued by the Department of Agriculture reveal that six of the dogs were treated and 12 were euthanised after they were injured at Kilkenny Racing Track in 2025.  One dog died during a racing fatality at Kilkenny Greyhound Track last year. 

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This figures have been condemned by Greyhound Action Ireland, who campaign for a ban on greyhound racing in Ireland. In 2024,  25 greyhounds were injured at Kilkenny Racing Stadium and 12 dogs were killed. 11 of the dogs were euthanised by the track vet and one dog was fatally injured while racing at the track.

The data was obtained by Deputy Paul Murphy further to a Dáil Question to the Minister for Agriculture. The greyhounds injured and killed at Kilkenny track are among 344 injured and 197 killed in races around Ireland  last year.

The injuries at Kilkenny track included a fractured hock, fractured scapula and suspected spinal bleed.

Nuala Donlon of Greyhound Action Ireland said it is estimated that 6,000 greyhounds are killed every year because they don’t make the grade. Ms Donlan said that the dogs were killed for “failure to produce qualifying times”, “failure to produce desired entry level times” and for an “unacceptable decline in performance”.

"There are renewed calls on the government to stop the massive grants that are propping up this cruel, dog-killing gambling activity.   Greyhound Racing Ireland has received €19 million for 2024, €19.82 million for 2025 and €19.82 million for 2026. This is unacceptable and must be stopped,” she said.