Animal welfare group demands inquiry after three dogs euthanised following track injuries

Three greyhounds have died after suffering falls at a Geelong racing track, prompting renewed calls for the ‘cruel’ and ‘outdated’ sport to be banned and for independent investigations into such incidents. Watch the video.

The death of three greyhounds after falls at a Geelong track has prompted calls for the “cruel” and “outdated” sport to be banned and for the independent investigation of incidents.

Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds spokesman Steve Cook said, “The fact that these incidents keep happening – week after week – shows systemic failure. These are not isolated incidents.”

On June 6, Quick Dash was euthanised on track after falling and fracturing its foreleg during a race at Geelong.

Yamgata Bale was euthanised on June 10 after a race injury on May 22 and Back Ruby suffered a deadly fall on May 20, before being put down the following day.

Greyhound Quick Dash fell and was euthanased on the Geelong track on June 6

The animal welfare group is calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the greyhound industry.

“I think the community, no longer wants greyhounds to be killed for gambling. They really do need to faze out this cruel and abusive industry that is just very outdated,” he said.

So far this year, 54 greyhounds have been killed on Australian tracks; 20 of those were in Victoria.

Currently, Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) investigates all reported euthanasia and deaths to ensure adherence to strict animal welfare and compliance rules.

“There’s also issues obviously with Greyhound Racing Victoria investigating their own members, which does raise concerns. We are encouraging the Victorian Government to really have a better review function, like other states and countries have done and to outlaw this sport,” Mr Cook said.

Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds spokesman Steve Cook

A spokesman for Greyhound Racing Victoria said in the past four years, the number of race fatalities had reduced by more than 11 per cent.

“Last financial year, GRV’s Greyhound Racing Integrity and Welfare Unit conducted more than 2800 property inspections to ensure compliance with both the Rules of Racing and the Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds.

“Additionally, more than 10,000 swabs are taken each year, including hair sampling, to support fair competition, help maintain integrity and assist in reducing doping incidents, with prohibited substances detected in 0.67% of samples last financial year,” the spokesman said.

Greyhounds race at Geelong

They confirmed they are also investigating Anakie trainer Glenn Campbell after seven of his greyhounds were scratched due to dehydration at a Warrnambool race meet on June 9.

Mr Cook said, “These Geelong greyhounds are the latest victims of an industry that refuses to prioritise animal welfare.

Racing minister Anthony Carbines said the Victorian Governtment takes the safety of racing animals seriously, “It’s why we work closely with Greyhound Racing Victoria to implement significant safety improvements - including the $2 million we’ve delivered for the new Greyhound Whole of Life Digital Tracking Program.”

File picture of racing minister Anthony Carbines at the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club.

The new program takes the location and health of registered greyhounds and records it on a digital platform from birth, throughout their racing career and into retirement and re-homing.

Minister Carbines said, “Greyhound racing supports 4,700 full-time Victorian jobs and generates $643 million for our economy. We will always back the industry with what it needs to protect dogs and uphold racing integrity.”

Originally published as Animal welfare group demands inquiry after three dogs euthanised following track injuries