Doping and Aversive Therapies
With trainers' continual efforts to gain the competitive edge, the use of illicit substances in an attempt to enhance greyhound performance is commonplace, with no regard for the effects they have on the dogs wellbeing. Hormones, anabolic steroids, erythropoietin and illegal substances such as heroin, amphetamines and cocaine have all been used in an effort to skew race results.
Even procedures viewed as standard practice in the industry have the ability to cause suffering. Tattooing of puppies' ears is done so without the use of anaesthetic, and brewing females can be impregnated via surgical artificial insemination, a procedure prohibited internationally because of it’s invasive nature solely for human gain.