‘More will die’: Ipswich greyhound deaths hits grim milestone

Heartbreaking footage shows another greyhound has died following a race at Ipswich. WARNING: Graphic content.

The number of racing greyhounds that died in Ipswich in the first months of 2022 has already reached last year’s entire death toll.

Mainly white greyhound 'Catch me Cutie' can bee seen on her side with her leg in the air following what turned out to be a fatal fall at the Ipswich racing track.

Four-year-old white and black greyhound Catch me Cutie competed in her last race at the Ipswich Track on April 17, although she never made it to the finish line.

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission has released a stewards’ report stating Catch me Cutie hesitated and fell while rounding the first bend of the track.

“A post-race veterinary examination revealed the greyhound to have sustained a catastrophic injury to its near side fore leg and was humanely euthanised,” the report said.

“This matter will be referred to the Greyhound Racing Injury Review Panel.”

During the race five other dogs were injured.

Animal welfare advocates have called for a ban on rounded tracks due to the number of injuries caused when the pack rounds the corner.

Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds Queensland director Annie Hendley said almost all of the five dogs that died in Ipswich this year followed the same fate as Catch me Cutie.

“Most fell at the track turns, suffered leg injuries and were then euthanased by the on-track vet,” she said.

“Queensland Racing said the Capalaba track is safer because it is straight, unlike the curved Ipswich track - so why would you greatly increase racing at Ipswich, unless you put business before greyhound welfare?” she said.

“It’s a simple equation – more racing leads to more greyhound deaths.”

Following the floods at Albion Park and Capalaba, racing ramped up at the dry Ipswich track.

A Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds spokesman said the increased racing program at Ipswich resulted in 200 injuries this year, and 41 of those were classed as major injures.

The spokesman said 341 dogs were injured in 2021.

Ms Hendley said the controversial Greater Brisbane Greyhound Centre at Purga needed to be stopped, especially the planned curve track, because it would inevitably killed more dogs.

“Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard was right when she recently said that no good comes from greyhound racing,” she said.

For the dogs, it is a nightmare that only causes pain and agony, and holds no place in modern society.”

Racing Queensland Chairman Steve Wilson. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

Racing Queensland chairman Steve Wilson said the proposed $40 million racing complex would be built with much consideration to given the welfare of animals.

“Once the project is complete… (it) will showcase the Queensland greyhound code to Australia and the world whilst providing a new level of animal welfare and safety,” he said.

“Racing Queensland has been working closely with some of the world’s authoritative voices for identifying optimal greyhound track design for safety and welfare means to guide us through this process.”

Over 72,255 people have signed an online petition to stop the track from coming to fruition and two protests have been held at the Purga site since the project was announced.