Greyhound racing has faced significant criticism recently, leading some to suggest it is now trendy to highlight the mistreatment of these animals, with troubling reports of cruelty backed by statistics. The prevailing narrative suggests that greyhounds are ruthlessly exploited for the gain of entertainment industry profiteers, and that the industry itself is rife with corruption.
The overproduction of greyhounds is a notable concern, as approximately 7,500 dogs retire from racing each year in England. Consequently, the future of these retired dogs, along with issues related to injuries and fatalities, has become a focal point for animal rights advocates targeting the racing sector.
While these concerns are valid, this perspective often overlooks other facets of the industry. It's important to acknowledge that there are charitable organisations, such as the Greyhound Trust, that strive to offer the dogs transition support and help them adapt to life outside of racing. Additionally, since 2021, the GBGB (Greyhound Board of Great Britain) has implemented a retirement program to ensure that every retired race dog has the opportunity for a fulfilling life.
Moreover, many dedicated individuals within the industry, including trainers, owners, and racetrack employees, genuinely care for the animals in their charge. They are committed to addressing the challenges faced by the industry transparently and responsibly, much like the Franklin family at Yarmouth Stadium, who actively work towards improving conditions for their dogs. It is crucial to consider these positive aspects alongside the criticisms to develop a well-rounded view of the greyhound racing industry.
The Franklin Family History
The Franklin family has been the proprietor of the stadium for three generations. Situated in the county of Norfolk, Yarmouth Stadium is found in Caister-on-Sea, within the Great Yarmouth region. Len Franklin, the track's founder, exhibited remarkable energy and ambition. Born in 1910, he contributed to his father's business from a young age. His first foray into betting came in 1928 when he attended races for the first time, an experience that captivated his interest. Over a decade as a professional gambler, he amassed a modest fortune, which he used to invest in the construction of Yarmouth racecourse in 1939.
The racecourse was officially opened on May 11, 1940, but the day coincided with the Nazi invasion of the Benelux countries, leading to the evacuation of Yarmouth and a dramatic reduction in potential attendance from 51,000 to 17,000. This unfortunate timing resulted in a lack of success, with only a handful of races occurring before the stadium was shuttered, marking a discouraging beginning for the venture.
After the war, Len Franklin and his partners revived their plans and reopened the stadium on December 7, 1946. Len took on roles as judge and steward, becoming the racing manager after his partner exited the business. In 1947, the East Anglian Derby debuted at the track, hosting races of varying distances—300, 500, 710, and 910 yards—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. With time, the stadium expanded, culminating in the construction of a 3,000-seat restaurant in 1969.
Operating as an independent, or flapper, track until 1975, Yarmouth Stadium later became associated with the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC). By 1987, it earned the distinction of being the first track in England to achieve a turnover of £1 million. Following Len's tenure, his son Stephen Franklin succeeded him as general manager, with his wife Pamela and their sons, Simon and Justin, also involved in the stadium's operations. Simon eventually rose to the position of racing manager and later general manager, while Stephen dedicated his efforts to promoting greyhound welfare.
Stephen Franklin and his fight for greyhound welfare
In the 1950s, Stephen began his career at a greyhound kennel, where his father sent him to acquire experience in dog handling, intending for Stephen to succeed him one day. After years of serving as the general manager of Yarmouth, he passed the reins to his sons and embarked on a retirement project: he established Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders, a charity dedicated to finding homes for retired racing greyhounds. The organisation operates its own kennels in Hanford, where 100 to 140 dogs are placed with foster families each year. Occasionally, the shelter faces a shortage of dogs available for adoption, prompting staff to source dogs from neighbouring areas. In 2000, Stephen also initiated a veterinary assistance program specifically for greyhounds.
Initially, the charity operated under the Greyhound Trust, financed by the British Greyhound Racing Foundation (BGRF), but eventually separated from this parent organisation. The decision to do so arose from frustrations with bureaucracy, over-organisation, and a lack of tangible outcomes, as resources were diverted towards grandstanding rebranding efforts and extensive reporting instead of addressing the needs of the dogs. Although this shift required significant effort to attain financial independence, Stephen believed it was necessary.
At Yarmouth, there are two pens accommodating a maximum of 12 to 14 greyhounds, allowing interested families to choose a pet. Experience has shown that offering too many dogs can complicate the selection process, potentially discouraging prospective adopters. While there is a common perception that black greyhounds are less frequently chosen as pets, Franklin disputes this notion, emphasising that the bond between a dog and a person is determined by temperament, energy, and mutual affection.
Stephen Franklin’s approach to the welfare of greyhounds can be characterised as practical and sincere. He recognises that the focus should be on using financial resources for genuine support of the dogs, rather than creating convoluted pathways that waste time and money without addressing the actual challenges.
Veterinary care in Yarmouth
Greyhound euthanasia is an extremely sensitive and painful topic for the public, which usually sees it as unjustified cruelty. But sometimes euthanasia is necessary to stop the suffering of animals when it is no longer possible to help them. Simon Franklin, in the year of the stadium's 70th anniversary, talks about the fact that in the previous year there were 6 cases of euthanasia at Yarmouth Stadium: in four cases these were inoperable injuries, and in two cases the dogs had heart attacks.
Fortunately, such incidents are uncommon. In most situations, there is a dedicated effort to ensure the life and well-being of the dogs. Yarmouth utilises a Veterinary Assistance Scheme that draws numerous greyhound owners to the stadium. This initiative essentially guarantees that if a dog is injured during a race, its future care is covered by the race organisers. Should an injury occur, the stadium pays for all veterinary expenses, which could range from £500 to £800, and in severe cases may even reach £5000. If a dog is deemed unable to continue racing after treatment, efforts will be made to find it a new home.
A prevalent injury among greyhounds is a fracture of the hock joint. Historically, such injuries often resulted in euthanasia. However, Stephen Franklin asserts that very few dogs are beyond saving after such an injury. Typically, a plate is inserted into the joint, which can be quite costly—starting at £1200 and potentially exceeding several thousand pounds. In some cases, while surgical intervention is still necessary, Franklin suggests that if the dog can no longer race and the injury allows, a traditional plaster cast might suffice.
Yarmouth not only provides treatment for hock injuries—something that isn't offered at many other racetracks—but also prioritises injury prevention. The track surface is refreshed more frequently than usual, and adequate drainage measures are implemented. Consequently, injury statistics at Yarmouth are significantly lower compared to the broader industry, a result of the racetrack staff's commitment to preventing accidents. This compassionate approach is only effective when caring individuals are involved, demonstrating that dogs are loved rather than solely viewed as financial assets.
The experience at Yarmouth illustrates that when greyhound racing is conducted by ethical individuals, it can occur with minimal harm to the dogs while still fulfilling its primary purpose: to bring joy and excitement into people's lives.