Green Group Member Motion

Council notes plans by Kevin Boothby (reported in the Oxford Mail: 17th June 2021) to bring greyhound racing back to Oxford Stadium following the acquisition of a 10-year lease from owners Galliard Homes. 

Council notes that the last greyhound racing took place in the Stadium in December 2012. 

Council notes that Galliard Homes have previously (2013 - application number 13/00302/FUL) submitted a planning application to re-develop the site for housing but that this was never approved by the Council. 

Council notes that there has been an informal assessment of the site by British Cycling who have stated it would be suitable as velodrome combined with a BMX and learn-to-ride facility with ample space for other community uses. 

Council also notes that greyhound racing has been heavily criticised by animal welfare organisations such as the League Against Cruel Sports, Alliance Against Greyhound Racing, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) who believe that dogs should not suffer or die for entertainment or for the profit of the dog racing industry. 

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s (GBGB) own data confirms that in 2019 there were 4970 greyhound injuries & 710 deaths (14 per week).

Despite Legislation aimed at improving the welfare of greyhounds, including the Animal Welfare Act (2006), The Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010, there is still ample evidence of the dangers to greyhounds bred for racing (see [1, 2]). The latter Government report into the effectiveness of the 2010 Regulations cast doubt on many aspects of the sport, making several important recommendations which have not been made law. 

The Council considers itself to be a caring Council which seeks the highest standards of welfare for all animals. It therefore: 

• Agrees to publicly oppose the reintroduction of greyhound racing in Oxford. 

·         Asks Cabinet to request a report from the Executive Director (Development) which explores alternative uses for the site in collaboration with the site owner and operator.

·         Should the greyhound racing go ahead and the operator is not licensed by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, the Council agrees to consider using its powers to ensure the welfare and safety of racing dogs and agrees to consider developing a licensing policy on greyhound racing. 

[1] The State of greyhound racing in Great Britain: a mandate for change’, League of Cruel Sports (2014) 

[2] ‘Greyhound Welfare’. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFFRA) Committee (2016)

This motion was not taken as the time allocated for debate had finished.

Green Group member motion

Council notes plans by Kevin Boothby (reported in the Oxford Mail: 17th June 2021) to bring greyhound racing back to Oxford Stadium following the acquisition of a 10-year lease from owners Galliard Homes. 

Council notes that the last greyhound racing took place in the Stadium in December 2012. 

Council notes that Galliard Homes have previously (2013 - application number 13/00302/FUL) submitted a planning application to re-develop the site for housing but that this was never approved by the Council. 

Council notes that there has been an informal assessment of the site by British Cycling who have stated it would be suitable as velodrome combined with a BMX and learn-to-ride facility with ample space for other community uses. 

Council also notes that greyhound racing has been heavily criticised by animal welfare organisations such as the League Against Cruel Sports, Alliance Against Greyhound Racing, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) who believe that dogs should not suffer or die for entertainment or for the profit of the dog racing industry. 

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s (GBGB) own data confirms that in 2019 there were 4970 greyhound injuries & 710 deaths (14 per week).

Despite Legislation aimed at improving the welfare of greyhounds, including the Animal Welfare Act (2006), The Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010, there is still ample evidence of the dangers to greyhounds bred for racing (see [1, 2]). The latter Government report into the effectiveness of the 2010 Regulations cast doubt on many aspects of the sport, making several important recommendations which have NOT been made law. 

The Council considers itself to be a caring Council which seeks the highest standards of welfare for all animals.

It therefore: 

• Agrees to publicly oppose the reintroduction of greyhound racing in Oxford. 
• Asks Cabinet to request a report from the Executive Director (Development) which explores alternative uses for the site in collaboration with the site owner and operator.
• Should the greyhound racing go ahead and the operator is not licensed by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, the Council agrees to use its powers to ensure the welfare and safety of racing dogs and agrees to consider developing a licensing policy on greyhound racing. 

[1] The State of greyhound racing in Great Britain: a mandate for change’, League of Cruel Sports (2014) 

[2] ‘Greyhound Welfare’. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFFRA) Committee (2016)

This motion was not taken as the time allocated for debate had finished.

Green Group Member Motion

Council notes plans by Kevin Boothby (reported in the Oxford Mail: 17th June 2021) to bring greyhound racing back to Oxford Stadium following the acquisition of a 10-year lease from owners Galliard Homes. 

Council notes that the last greyhound racing took place in the Stadium in December 2012. 

Council notes that Galliard Homes have previously (2013 - application number 13/00302/FUL) submitted a planning application to re-develop the site for housing but that this was never approved by the Council. 

Council notes that there has been an informal assessment of the site by British Cycling who have stated it would be suitable as velodrome combined with a BMX and learn-to-ride facility with ample space for other community uses. 

Council also notes that greyhound racing has been heavily criticised by animal welfare organisations such as the League Against Cruel Sports, Alliance Against Greyhound Racing, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) who believe that dogs should not suffer or die for entertainment or for the profit of the dog racing industry. 

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s (GBGB) own data confirms that in 2019 there were 4970 greyhound injuries & 710 deaths (14 per week).

Despite Legislation aimed at improving the welfare of greyhounds, including the Animal Welfare Act (2006), The Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010, there is still ample evidence of the dangers to greyhounds bred for racing (see [1, 2]). The latter Government report into the effectiveness of the 2010 Regulations cast doubt on many aspects of the sport, making several important recommendations which have NOT been made law. 

The Council considers itself to be a caring Council which seeks the highest standards of welfare for all animals. It therefore: 

• Agrees to publicly oppose the reintroduction of greyhound racing in Oxford. 
• Ask the Executive Director (Development) to bring a report to Cabinet which explores alternative uses for the site (for example, housing, a velodrome or other community uses). 
• Should the greyhound racing go ahead, the Council agrees to use its licensing powers to the full to ensure the welfare and safety of racing dogs and agrees to review its licensing policies on greyhound racing to see which of the EFRA Committee recommendations can be included. 

[1] The State of greyhound racing in Great Britain: a mandate for change’, League of Cruel Sports (2014) 

[2] ‘Greyhound Welfare’. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFFRA) Committee (2016)

This motion was not taken as the time allocated for debate had finished.