Darwin Greyhound industry temporarily shut down due to potentially deadly virus

THE Darwin Greyhound Industry has been temporarily shut down due to the outbreak of a potentially deadly flesh-eating tropical virus similar to the dreaded Melioidosis

THE Darwin Greyhound industry has been temporarily shutdown due to the outbreak of a potentially deadly flesh-eating tropical virus similar to the dreaded Melioidosis.

Darwin Greyhound Association manager Greg Aldam confirmed to the NT News this Sunday’s meeting had been called off due to the outbreak and “two to three” dogs had died so far as a result.

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Several more dogs are “extremely crook” and Aldam said the association was following advice from their stewards and veterinarians.

“It’s with great reluctance we are cancelling the meeting on Sunday, we don’t want to do that, but you have to look to the longevity (of the Darwin greyhound industry),” he said.

“I’m extremely confident by next Sunday we will be up and going again with 11 races and punching along beautifully.

“To lose one week, while it’s not ideal, it’s minimal in the overall effect of what it (the virus) could do.”

The association’s Winnellie kennels, which house around 150 dogs, have been quarantined.

“I’m sitting here now literally with a peg on my nose, that’s how clean and thorough it (the quarantine process) has been,” Aldam said.

“We don’t take this process lightly.”

Originally published as Darwin Greyhound industry temporarily shut down due to potentially deadly virus