This devastating footage shows greyhounds smashing into the electronic trap race organisers failed to lift off the track.

Romford Recorder: A staff member can be seen lifting Borwick Magic off the track. Picture: YouTubeA staff member can be seen lifting Borwick Magic off the track. Picture: YouTube (Image: Archant)

Two dogs may never race again following the “avoidable” collision at Romford Greyhound Stadium last week, which has led owners Coral to launch an investigation.

The trap should be lifted off the track when the race starts, and even when the mechanism fails, the bookmakers said the person in charge of the hare should stop it and end the race.

But processes were not followed at the London Road venue, resulting in injuries to two dogs, one of which, Borwick Magic, had to be carried off.

In December, stadium manager David McDonald fought back over claims Romford was the “worst offender” for injuries, saying it was simply “more diligent” than other tracks at recording information.

Romford Recorder: The other dogs stopped and went back to check on their fellow racers. Picture YouTubeThe other dogs stopped and went back to check on their fellow racers. Picture YouTube (Image: Archant)

Anti-racing campaign group Greyt Exploitations said the venue had the worst record in the country after two dogs broke legs in the Essex Vase final and had to be put down.

Greyt Exploitations figures for the first five months of 2014 show 221 dogs were involved in track injuries or incidents at Romford, and 86 of the dogs had not raced again by October.

Campaigner Trudy Baker said: “It’s absolutely appalling. It’s mechanical failure and human failure. The officials are just standing there.

“If it’s not the worst track then what the hell happened last week?”

Romford Recorder: The prize money was split evenly between all six dogs. Picture YouTubeThe prize money was split evenly between all six dogs. Picture YouTube (Image: Archant)

A Coral spokesman said: “We have carried out an internal investigation.

“We are not certain what caused the failure in the mechanism but we suspect the very cold temperatures on the night may have been responsible.

“We have processes in place, should this mechanism fail, to alert the hare driver to stop the hare, but unfortunately these were not followed last night leading to the greyhounds continuing. This was unacceptable and avoidable and we will review these processes and carry out further training.”

The prize money for the contest was split between all six racing greyhounds.