I urge the Government to ban what I can only describe as a barbaric and invasive procedure used on greyhounds whereby they are subjected to surgical artificial insemination. This highly controversial procedure, which is already banned in the UK, involves making a cut in the abdomen of a greyhound and inserting semen directly into its uterus. This is not an isolated, occasional surgical procedure. Figures from 2023 show that in the previous ten years, almost 5,000 greyhound litters were born in Ireland following surgical artificial insemination. In the past four years alone, more than 500 surgical artificial inseminations were performed on racing and coursing greyhounds. The process must be distressing for the female greyhound as it is involves anaesthetising it and making a small incision in the abdomen in order to lift out the uterus. The semen is injected directly into the uterus using a fine needle before the uterus is placed back into the greyhound's body and the wound is stitched. The procedure also involves injecting semen extracted from deceased dogs. The British Veterinary Association has stated its view that this practice is highly unethical and very painful for bitches because the subsequent pregnancy will put additional pressure on the abdominal wounds. All surgeries come with risks but these animals are being subjected to a process that is not intended to correct a medical issue that can only be resolved by surgery. The animals' lives are being put at risk by a non-vital surgical procedure. It is well known that greyhounds are prone to certain complications such as blood clotting that can be exacerbated by this unnecessary surgical procedure. It is not done for the good of the greyhound or for health reasons. It is about the greed of the greyhound industry and the money won at the local dog track. In general, a greyhound should have only three to four litters in its lifetime. While there is no limit in theory to how many times a greyhound can undergo surgical artificial insemination, and even if it is only carried out for the limit of three or four litters a greyhound should have for its well-being, it is still three or four litters too many. The procedure causes unnecessary strain and stress for the dog. It is nothing to do with the dog's welfare and everything to do with making money for its owner. Animal welfare organisations have been vocal in expressing their concerns about the procedure. I welcome the announcement in April 2024 by the Veterinary Council of Ireland that it had updated its code of professional conduct for veterinary practitioners prohibiting veterinarians from carrying out surgical artificial inseminations in dogs due to ethical and welfare considerations. It is a cruel, unnecessary and clearly unethical procedure. A report by the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine recommended a complete ban on surgical artificial insemination, noting it carried risks even when performed in a controlled sterile environment. The practice must be banned. We see from the consultation process carried out by the Veterinary Council of Ireland that the public is against the procedure. A report by the working group on the control of dogs recommended revising the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to prohibit surgical artificial insemination in canines. I urge that the Minister look seriously at these recommendations and introduce the necessary amendments to address this barbaric practice.

Sentiment score: -0.12

The vast majority of people are not aware of this practice. I was not even aware of it for a long time myself. When you explain this to people, they cannot understand how such a practice could take place or how any dog, greyhound or otherwise, could have their uterus taken out, injected and then put back in again. It just does not add up. It is totally and utterly barbaric. The Minister of State said that in June 2024, the former Minister and current Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, announced a public consultation on whether the practice of surgical artificial insemination in greyhounds should be banned. My colleague, Senator Chris Andrews, raised this issue twice in the Seanad, on 1 May and 19 June 2025. He was told that the public consultation had closed, which the Minister of State stated, and that the results would be published in due course. When will these results be published? It is dragging on and on. This is a question of cruelty to animals and animal rights. It is not something we can drag on. The suffering of these animals is just not good enough. This practice is outlawed in the UK, Sweden and the Netherlands. I accept what the Minister of State said about Rásaíocht Con Éireann and the rehousing of greyhounds, which has been an issue raised in recent years, although I will not go into the reasons for that. That has been an important and well taken-up thing because, even in my area, I notice a large number of people walking greyhounds. That is working. This issue here is to do with cruelty to animals, however, and Rásaíocht Con Éireann should have a role in trying to get this sorted out. This really needs to be brought forward. It is no use saying the Government is looking at this. This is going on well over a year since it has been brought up.

Sentiment score: -0.08