A recent protest at Easthampstead Park in Wokingham saw activists target the Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s annual awards ceremony, held on Thursday evening.
Around 26 protesters, many of whom were from Oxford, gathered from 5.30pm, displaying banners and speaking to attendees arriving for the black-tie event.
At approximately 6.50pm, three protesters attempted to enter the King Suite where the awards were taking place.
The rest continued along the hotel drive, chanting through megaphones and speaking to guests about welfare concerns associated with the industry.
Police attended and confirmed the protest was lawful, allowing it to continue.
Campaigners said the demonstration was organised to highlight the ‘systemic cruelty’ of the racing industry.
According to Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) figures, 3,809 injuries were recorded on UK tracks in 2024, including 123 deaths—meaning that on average a dog died on a British racetrack every three days.
Animal rights campaigners protested at the Greyhound Board of Great Britain Awards in Wokingham (Image: Alex Photojournalism)
Activists claim these numbers only cover deaths and injuries occurring during races themselves.
Many of the activists are also campaigning for the closure of the greyhound racing track at Oxford Stadium, and have been demonstrating outside the Oxford venue and leafleting the public on Cornmarket Street to gather petition signatures.
They said that members of the public in Oxford consistently react with ‘surprise and disgust’ upon learning more about the treatment of dogs in the industry.
Thousands of dogs are bred for racing each year in Britain and Ireland, but many never reach the track.
Campaigners say that dogs not considered fast or profitable enough may be euthanised or simply vanish from records—a practice the industry calls ‘wastage’.
Concerns have also been raised about conditions within the breeding and training sectors, with some investigations reporting dogs being kept in small kennels with little enrichment and limited veterinary care.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of commercial greyhound racing in Britain.
Activists plan to continue protesting into 2026, with a major march planned in central London on July 25.
Animal Aid, one of the world’s longest-established animal rights groups, was founded in 1977 and campaigns peacefully against animal exploitation.
Isobel McNally, campaign manager at Animal Aid, said: “It is frankly obscene that an industry that profits from the abuse, maiming and death of dogs on such a scale would throw a luxurious awards ceremony for themselves.
“We’re proud to support the activists who took a stand to show those responsible that the public will not stand for this abuse.”
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