In just three months, authorities in Punjab have exposed around 40 illegal greyhound racing events organised by local groups, where large-scale betting was taking place. Thanks to complaints from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or  PETA India, 30 of these illegal races were shut down.

The Punjab Police have taken further action by filing cases related to these incidents. Moreover, authorities in Haryana stepped in to halt an illegal dog fight. Shockingly, these events were being live-streamed on several YouTube channels.

"These greyhound races involve forcing dogs to race at such dangerously high speeds that it puts a tremendous strain on their bodies, often causing them to suffer injuries or death. The dogs are typically confined to kennels and forced to stand in their filth when not used. Dogs who lose may face harsh abuses, such as abandonment or being killed," an insider revealed.

"Injuries, exhaustion, and psychological trauma are common in spectacles in which animals are forced to race, which prioritises gambling over the welfare of the animals,’’ According to an insider, greyhound racing is inherently cruel since dogs are often pushed to the point of injury or even death.

Meet Ashar, Cruelty Response Legal Advisor and Associate Director at PETA India, revealed that approximately 40 greyhound racing events have occurred in Punjab since November last year. These races were held in various districts, including SAS Nagar, Ludhiana (Rural), Fatehgarh Sahib, Batala and Malerkotla. PETA teams alerted local authorities and state police about these illegal events, leading to the cancellation of 30 races. Additionally, four cases have been officially registered, while six more complaints are currently with the police, awaiting the filing of FIRs.

" There are a few illegal greyhound racing groups in the state which organise their races regularly and betting is involved. In each race, 30 to 40 rounds are there; each round, two dogs participate; thus, approximately 100 dogs participate in a race. As these races are held in open spaces and fields and when the weather is clear,’’ expressed he. When questioned how much is bet on each dog, he said they don't have these ideas.

Ashar further explained that greyhound dogs used in these races are either bred locally by breeders or imported from other countries.

He also mentioned that four First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered following complaints filed by their teams with the police. One of the FIRs specifically highlights that a race was broadcast on a YouTube channel. Additionally, many of the participating dogs were seen wearing makeshift muzzles made of plastic, rubber, or steel. The races involved dogs chasing a toy rabbit attached to a mechanical device and moving along a rope to simulate an actual chase.

In 2021, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and a US-based organisation dedicated to opposing greyhound racing contacted the Punjab government separately. They alleged that illegal dog races were being conducted in the state and urged authorities to take immediate action against those responsible.

Meanwhile, based on a tip-off regarding an illegal dog fight set to take place on January 27 in Rohat village, located in Haryana’s Sonipat district, PETA promptly informed and collaborated with Sonipat police to prevent the event. As a result, the police intervened and successfully stopped the fight before it could begin.

"PETA India is urging the government to stop dogfights by making it illegal to breed and keep pit bull–type dogs, the most abused dogs on the planet,” said Virendra Singh, Cruelty Response Coordinator at PETA India.

In India, Pitbulls and other foreign breeds are commonly used for illegal dog fighting, despite the fact that provoking dogs to fight is against the law under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960. " Without suitable enforcement and regulation, organized dogfights have become prevalent in many parts of the country, making pit bull–type dogs and other breeds used in these fights the most abused dog breeds", a source revealed.

"Pit bulls and related breeds are also otherwise typically kept on heavy chains as attack dogs, resulting in aggressive defensive behaviour and a lifetime of suffering. Many endure painful physical mutilations, such as ear cropping and tail docking – illegal procedures involving removing part of a dog’s ears or tail to prevent another dog from grabbing them during a fight. These dogs are encouraged to continue fighting until they become exhausted and at least one is seriously injured or dies. Because dog fighting is illegal, injured dogs are not taken to veterinarians,’’ stated a source.

"A prohibition could be achieved in the state by making sterilisation and registration of such dogs mandatory while prohibiting breeding, keeping, or selling them after a stipulated date,’’ Singh said.