“We certainly need to start pushing back!” - Paul Carpenter Interview

"We have to change the narrative and counter these monstrous claims"

Paul Carpenter is fed up. And he’s fed up with good reason.  

He’s fed up at the constant battering and sniping the sport is getting on both sides or the Irish Sea - from a tiny but noisy minority. 

And the former owners’ representative at the GBGB is not alone. Joined on social media by Peter Harnden, the GBGB’s trainer representative, the pair have had enough and are urging the sport as a collective to counter scandalous but potentially ruinous claims.  

“We certainly need to start pushing back!” said Carpenter, who spent three months as the owners’ representative in 2023 but quit the post over various much-documented frustrations. 

However, he remains passionate about the sport and has continued as an owner and is a successful owner, too, with a number of big-race wins enjoyed. He cares deeply for greyhound racing and has become angry at how the sport is being portrayed - and so inaccurately. 

“Jennifer White of PETA (animal rights organisation) was recently afforded airtime on TV to discuss the recent greyhound bans in Wales and Scotland. She was asking for a ban in England and Ireland - of course she was! 

“This interview then found its way on to social media. But she did nothing but tell LIES. She’s an activist, a bigot and extremist, and I actually believe is dangerous to society, trying to ruin the lives of thousands of people who work in greyhound racing and linked industries. But the problem is people believe her! 

“She knows nothing about greyhound racing. I doubt she’s even been greyhound racing. She claims greyhounds are muzzled and kept locked up for 23 hours a day. That’s complete bollocks! 

“Greyhound racing is part of our sporting heritage. Who is she - and others - to try and take it away? 

“It’s the same with horse racing. Tabloid headlines had the Green Party wanting to ban horse racing last week. What right do these people have to ruin the lives of not just those who work in a major industry, but to the millions of people who go horse racing and greyhound racing every year for pure enjoyment and fun? 

“Some of the crowds at the major horse racing fixtures have broken records of late and a lot of our bigger tracks are reporting really good weekend crowds in recent weeks and months, too. People enjoy going racing. 

“Activists use strong claims to get attention. That does not mean their claims are correct. In fact, most of their claims are complete untruths. They are intentionally malicious, but the traction and reaction to them proves how social media can reward extremes. 

“Because of this, owners right now are carrying a lot of frustration - they can hear the noise, even though that noise is coming from one or two voices only. One or two! Think about that. 

“But that noise is driving some owners away. When the antis are publicly criticising something you care about, especially a tradition or a community, it becomes personal. 

“The activists - and I make no apology for using that term, because that is what they are - are running wild with their accusations. 

“So it’s time we began to engage with these people in open discussions to ensure our sport is being fairly represented. 

“But whose job is that? 

“I have always maintained public perception of our sport will determine its future. 

“Let’s be honest. Greyhound racing is a complex and emotionally charged topic. It’s a soft target for activists and politicians. 

“The activists won’t and don’t recognise its heritage, culture, or people’s livelihoods. Or the fact, which is staring them in the face, that greyhounds enjoy running and that the public enjoy a night at the dogs! Simple. 

“Welfare is rightly highlighted and used as stick to batter greyhound racing. That’s right in its desire to make sure greyhound racing adheres to certain standards, but we do - and our sport needs to hammer that home and share verifiable facts about greyhound care and responsible ownership by trainers and owners. 

“I quit the GBGB because I recognised very quickly there is a structural problem within the Board and how much power the regulator has over the promoters - very little, sadly. I believe that structure and environment, as it is, is fundamentally flawed. 

“Do we need an alternative to the GBGB? Or will people like (new GBGB chairman) Sir Philip Davies make a difference? He has started really well, to be fair. 

“We need to work with bookmakers and people like Premier Greyhound Racing (PGR) and SIS, albeit I believe having one media company will in the long run be much better. 

“Either way we have to change the narrative and counter the constant negativity and misinformation, and monstrous claims and lies posted by the extremists on social media.

“When something you care about deeply gets dragged unfairly through the mud, it hits in a very personal way. 

“So, for now, it’s time to take a step back - certainly from the social media side. 

“Some will say thank heavens for that and that is ok. I’m not giving up, just protecting the head and heart! I’m choosing to focus more on the parts of the sport I enjoy - my dogs, my friends, and going racing. 

“I’m extremely enthusiastic about our sport, as are many people. But social media is not entirely a reflection on reality. 

“I pray the public and politicians do not believe the extremists. We all know they distort the truth. Social media is a megaphone for the loudest but certainly not the wisest. 

“And why exactly do extremists refuse to engage face to face with the greyhound industry? Could it be that if someone has built their entire campaign on the belief that greyhound racing is inherently cruel, visiting a well-run kennel risks destroying that illusion? 

“I believe they avoid situations that might challenge their biased and blinkered views. They want to create the illusion we’ve something to hide. We have nothing to hide. 

“Greyhound racing strives to maintain an elevated level of transparency. That said, I still feel we could do much better. 

“What do we need now? We need to form a new innovative organisation. Time to play offence instead of defence. 

“We need to work with the media companies and the betting industries. We need to protect the dogs, livelihoods and the sport’s heritage. Lastly, we need to press the government for a LEVY! 

“The closure of tracks is a concerning development for the sport. While there has been some suggestions that the industry could survive and thrive with a handful of ‘super tracks’, I’m not convinced this is the best course of action. 

“In fact, shutting down tracks may hasten the overall decline. 

“With fewer tracks available, there will inevitably be fewer races. This reduction in racing opportunities leads to fewer greyhounds being bred and trained, putting the future of the sport at greater risk. 

"Consequently, this could lead to even more owners leaving the sport due to reduced opportunities. Trainers stop training and breeders stop breeding. So, in this case, I do not feel less is more. Local tracks also support local communities, remember. 

“Welfare consistently remains the core motivation within the industry. Years ago, I emphasised that growth was essential for the sport’s future. If the GBGB had devoted as much energy to driving commercial opportunities as they have to welfare matters, our current situation would likely be significantly improved. 

“The balance between prioritising animal welfare and developing the commercial side of the sport has been lacking and it is clear that equal focus on both aspects is necessary for sustainable progress. 

“The way forward for the sport lies in a wholehearted commitment to rebuilding greyhound racing, emphasising growth and investment from the grass roots level. 

“This approach requires a clear vision and a willingness to invest in the foundations of the industry, ensuring sustainability and renewed vitality. However, the main challenge is identifying an individual or group who is willing - and able - to undertake such a significant responsibility. 

“Without someone prepared to lead this effort, progress will remain stalled, leaving the sport vulnerable to further decline.”