“A graveyard for greyhounds” – Second dog dies on Mount Gambier racetrack in the space of 10 days

Just 10 days after the death of two-year-old Marty’s Delight who was euthanized after he fell and fractured his leg in a race, a second greyhound has met the same fate.

Another young greyhound as died at the Mount Gambier racetrack – the second in 10 days – sparking more outrage among greyhound welfare advocates. IMAGE: Supplied.

A second greyhound has been euthanized due to injuries sustained by racing in Mount Gambier in the space of just 10 days, leading one welfare advocate to call Mount Gambier “a graveyard for young greyhounds”.

During a race at Mount Gambier on April 21, nineteen-month-old Menari One fell while running more than 60km/h, fracturing his hind-leg.

According to the steward’s report, the young dog was later assessed by the track vet and euthanised.

Menari One was only running his second ever race and is now the youngest dog to die on Australian tracks in 2024.

His death marks the fourth greyhound death in South Australia within the space of 2 months and the second in the space of just 10 days.

Less than two weeks earlier, two-year-old greyhound Marty’s Delight was euthanised after fracturing his leg in a fall during a race at Mount Gambier on April 11.

On Thursday April 11, a two-year-old Greyhound named Marty's Delight was euthanised after he fell and fractured one of his legs during a race. Picture: Supplied

The death of Marty’s Delight sparked outrage among greyhound welfare advocates as it came after the state government failed to fulfil their promise of appointing a Greyhound Industry Reform Inspector (GIRI) by Easter 2024.

Marty’s Delight and Menari One’s death bring the total number of greyhound deaths in South Australia for the year up to five – 35 have now died racing on Australian tracks nationwide.

The race video of Menari One’s incident has been removed by Greyhound Racing South Australia, but has been obtained and shared by the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds. The Coalition said the video “shows a violent fall that was witnessed by three young children”.

SA director of the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds, Elle Trahair said “Menari One and Marty’s Delight were running only their second races when they lost their lives.

“By censoring the race video of Menari One’s incident, Greyhound Racing South Australia is admitting the community won’t accept the ongoing abuse and harm of greyhounds.

“They’ve reverted to their old habits of trying to hide the evidence.

“While the government dithers on appointing the inspector, things are getting worse for greyhounds.”

A Government spokesman told The Advertiser last week that “the process for appointing a Greyhound Industry Reform Inspector is well advanced, and the Government will make an announcement in due course”.