RACING was cancelled at Sunderland dogs on Wednesday and an investigation launched after the second traps failure in the space of five days.
The traps failed to open properly in the 7.41 race on Friday night – with one greyhound terrifyingly lifted in the air as his leg became caught.
The Greyhound Board has so far not commented on the traps failuresCredit: PA
And in the 9.11 race on Tuesday, the traps again failed to open properly, with two dogs becoming stuck as they tried to break from the partially opened gates in a shocking scene.
All dogs on Friday and Tuesday were reported to be unharmed, bar some minor bumps and bruises.
A spokesperson for Sunderland was quoted the day before the first incident on November 21 saying the traps in question were faulty but had recently returned to use after repairs.
However, a spokesperson for Arena Racing, who own Sunderland greyhound track, said the traps that malfunctioned on Tuesday night were a different set.
ARC said in a statement: “Racing was abandoned at Sunderland Greyhound Stadium last night following a mechanical malfunction of the 450m traps at the start of Race 9.
“The 450m traps are entirely separate to those previously used at the 261m start, with which there was an issue on Friday 21 November.
“As at all fixtures, all mechanical elements of the racing operation, including the traps and hare, were fully tested before racing began with no issues found.
“We have reported both incidents to GBGB and continue to work with them on a full investigation.
“Today’s fixture at Sunderland has been cancelled, and upcoming fixtures remain under review, until further notice.
“All greyhounds involved in last night’s incident underwent thorough veterinary assessment and were passed fit to travel home as normal.
“One greyhound was found to have light bruising but is well this morning and requires no further veterinary treatment. All other greyhounds involved remain fit and well.”
Trainer Yvonne Bell, who had two runners in the race, posted a video on X showing Kildare Dancer , who became stuck when trying to leave trap four, was none the worse for the incident, but she expressed sympathy with track staff.
She said: “Nobody expected it to happen. I know how much work the guys at the track have put into those sprint boxes. I feel sorry for the staff because they are getting it in the neck, and nobody wants dogs to get hurt.
“I’ve never seen that sort of thing happen before, I’ve seen the traps open early and swing back, but not when they come up and get stuck, and the hare hadn’t even come round.
“I had the red she came tearing past me, but the five dog is a big dog and he got stuck. It was a horrible thing to see but thankfully no dogs were seriously hurt.
“It could have been worse because the trap doors were still locked, they could have opened and wiped the people out who were trying to get the dogs out.
“As far as I know they’ve had all the traps fully refitted, there are some new ones on order. They’re not racing now until Monday so hopefully they can get to the bottom of it.”
The Greyhound Board of Great Britain have so far not responded to a request for comment.
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