We are open on doping

Sir — John Fitzgerald’s letter (Greyhound racing is an ‘affront to sport’, Sunday Independent, March 4) tells your readers that doping of greyhounds is ‘widespread’. No evidence or figures are quoted to assert this.

The simple truth is that from 5,294 samples in 2017 from greyhounds at racetracks, private kennels and sales meetings, there were 29 adverse findings.

Every finding is published on our website — igb.ie — the findings will include the name, earmark, owner and trainer of the greyhound, the prohibited substance found and the date and location where the sample was taken. Equally, all subsequent fines or sanctions are also published for all to see.

This level of transparency is designed to ensure public confidence in our sport. Last year, the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) invested €400,000 in a new analytical machine that can measure substances in parts per trillion, which allows for detection some time after they may have been administered.

Three individuals have been banned for doping or welfare offences. These individuals are disqualified from owning, training or managing a racing greyhound. Once again, these details are on our website. Fines for prohibited substances can go as high as €7,500 as well as licence revocations and exclusion orders.

The IGB fully supports responsible wagering. We actively implement a ‘Think 21’ policy to ensure that those under 18 do not engage in betting and have participated in initiatives such as Responsible Gambling Week. In 2017, our average Tote bet was €5, with an average customer spend per night of €25.

All reports of greyhound welfare are fully investigated; in 2017 our welfare officers completed 477 inspections of kennels and issued 43 fines under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011.

The Irish Greyhound Board is responsible for the regulation of greyhound racing, which it takes seriously.

David McManus, Irish Greyhound Board, Dock Road, Limerick