The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) is today announcing that from 10th February 2025, all British-bred greyhounds should be provided with appropriate veterinary analgesia (pain relief) for the earmarking procedure, as prescribed by their veterinary surgeon.

It is currently a legal requirement for racing greyhounds to be earmarked as a form of identification in addition to being microchipped (Welfare of Racing Greyhound Regulations, 2010). GBGB is in ongoing discussions with Defra to request an amendment to the legislation to remove this earmarking requirement and is continuing to explore an alternative, higher-welfare identification method.

Those with a British-bred litter awaiting earmarking should contact their veterinary surgeon to have an informed discussion regarding greyhound earmarking and pain relief. Appropriate pain relief should be given, as a minimum, before the procedure (e.g. 24 hours ahead of the day of earmarking for orally administered pain relief) and be continued for three days afterwards.

Dr Simon Gower, GBGB Veterinary Director, said:

“Introducing the requirement for all pups to be given a course of pain relief to alleviate the discomfort associated with earmarking is a simple way of improving greyhound wellbeing during and after this procedure and one which we hope the racing community will be pleased to adopt.

“With the invention of new technologies around canine identification, we are hopeful that we can implement a practical alternative to earmarking in the not-so-distant future.”

Commenting on those litters awaiting earmarking due to recent delays, Peter Harnden, GBGB Trainers’ Practitioner, said

“Due to problems beyond our control in getting greyhounds earmarked in a timely manner, I am pleased a relatively simple solution in providing pain relief for the greyhounds has been agreed.”