Responding to comments made by Celia Cross Greyhound Trust regarding former facilities at Hillside Racing Kennels, Mark Bird said:

“Following inspections by GBGB stipendiary stewards, which judged the kennels to be unsatisfactory, the kennel owner was given strong warnings to improve conditions. With guidance and financial assistance from GBGB, brand-new kennels were built and we are very pleased that the greyhounds are now benefitting from excellent facilities. GBGB continues to work closely with the trainer to provide advice on housing, daily management and grooming and will conduct regular inspections.

“As the regulator for licensed greyhound racing, we demand the highest standards of welfare from everyone involved in our sport. We have very strict guidelines on how dogs should be treated and what conditions they should be housed in. We conduct a minimum of two unannounced visits to residential greyhound kennels every year and we are prepared to take the strongest action when we find that conditions are not up to standard.

“As part of our Greyhound Commitment, we are currently developing a new Code of Practice which sets out clear expectations of how kennels should be run. We are also in the process of gaining UKAS accreditation which will cover trainers’ residential kennels and ensure they are held to the same consistent high-standards of our tracks.”

Photos of the new kennelling facilities are available below.