A number of greyhound skeleton remains have been found in a bog in Newbridge, Co Kildare.
The Irish Council against Blood Sports is calling for an investigation after the bones were found dumped 2km from Newbridge Greyhound Stadium.
The discovery was made by a member of the public walking at Roseberry Bog, Newbridge, and the remains include skulls, bones and skeletons.
It has not been revealed how many greyhounds are suspected to be dumped at this location.
In 2012 the remains of six greyhounds were found at a disused dump at Ballyagran, Co Limerick, having been shot in the head.
While in 2005 the mutilated remains of three greyhounds were found floating in a river in the Dungarvan area.
The Irish Council against Blood Sports says “dumped greyhounds are the victims of the cruel greyhound racing industry that sees thousands of greyhounds abandoned and killed each year”.
As revealed in the RTÉ Investigates: Greyhounds running for their lives documentary, thousands of greyhounds are killed every year because they are not fast enough. It featured scenes of dogs being delivered to a knackery where they were shot in the head and dumped in a skip.
The documentary featured extracts from a report which revealed that around 6,000 greyhounds are killed every year because they don’t make the grade. The report estimated that a total of 17,962 greyhounds were culled in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
They were killed for “failure to produce qualifying times”, “failure to produce desired entry level times” and for an “unacceptable decline in performance”.
The organisation said: “The government is again being urged to stop the massive grants that are propping up this cruel, dog-killing gambling activity. Since 2001, Greyhound Racing Ireland has received €309 million in funding, including €16.8 million for 2020, €19.2 million for 2021 and €17.6 million for 2022.”
Greyhound Racing Ireland
In a statement Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) said it has not received any report regarding the purported discovery in County Kildare.
"From the published photographs it appears that the animal carcasses, as yet to be confirmed to be registered greyhounds, have been at this location for a significant period of time," GRI said.
The statement said: "GRI has today liaised with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Kildare County Council and An Garda Siochána who also have not received any information regarding the reported finding.
"It should be noted that GRI is not the Regulatory Authority for every greyhound born in Ireland but takes very seriously and acts upon any breach of welfare or mistreatment of any registered greyhound brought to its attention. Greyhounds are registered with the ICC and greyhounds registered may never race or become known to GRI.
"A full Traceability System for Racing Greyhounds (RCÉTS) has been in operation since January 2021 and those that do not comply with the provision of appropriate updates, are prevented from racing at GRI licensed Stadia.
"The discovery in Kildare is being investigated by the GRI Welfare department. Consultation with other agencies is ongoing in relation to the matter."
