UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN has ended a practice of buying and putting down greyhounds for use in veterinary training.

A recent report by the League Against Cruel Sports and GREY2K revealed that the university had bought and euthanaised  a total of 212 greyhounds over a six-year period.

The dogs were purchased from a racing greyhound owner for roughly €100 each. It is unknown for what reason they were sold.

However, following an internal review last year, this practice has now ceased.

“Any greyhound cadaver received by the veterinary school for teaching purposes is now donated with the express consent of the owner following euthanasia by a practicing veterinary surgeon carried out based on their clinical judgement,” a spokesperson for UCD said.

The Irish Council Against Blood Sports has welcomed the decision, but stressed that there was no issue with this as long as the animal had to be put down due to illness or other factors.

The report raised concerns that other universities may be providing an ‘easy route’ for greyhound tracks, trainers, or owners to dispose of dogs which have either been injured or are too old to race.

“Most racing greyhounds are viewed as commodities whose usefulness ends when they no longer bring in prize money, either through career-ending injuries or natural decline,” said Iain Blake-Lawson of the League Against Cruel Sports.

Blake-Lawson referred to the previous practice at UCD as “needless killing”.

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