Greyhounds still dumped at rescues on Gold Coast two years after live baiting scandal

A GREYHOUND surrendered to a local rescue group came in with an old fracture that vets believe hadn’t been treated for more than a year.

Gold Coast rescue groups are continuing to see hundreds of greyhounds abandoned each year — many with untreated injuries.

Two years after a live baiting scandal rocked the greyhound racing industry, Friends of the Hound founder Lisa White said it was “business as usual” for breeders.

“There’s still the same amount of calls, the same amount of dogs coming through the program,” Ms White said. “They’re bred to turn a profit.

“It’s just never ending, how’s that ever going to change?”

Jade the greyhound was surrendered to Friends of the Hound with an old injury left untreated- a broken leg. She was surrendered by a Gold Coast owner. Photo: Friends of the Hound

Ms White said the Murwillumbah-based rescue group had a continuous list of about 80 greyhounds waiting for adoption, with up to 60 greyhounds in foster homes at any one time.

The group recently took custody of a three-year-old greyhound called Jade who arrived with a 12-month-old fracture which had not been treated, causing her bones to fuse together with a “permanent twist.”

X-ray of Jade’s broken leg fused awkwardly back together. Photo: Friends of the Hound

Jade was seen by a specialist through Friends of the Hound. Photo: Friends of the Hound

“It’s very common for us to have vet bills up to $5,000 per greyhound with untreated injuries or health problems,” Ms White said.

It’s a similar story at the Animal Welfare League, which recently took in a litter of greyhound puppies, one of which had a broken leg.

Lisa White runs greyhound rescue group Friends of the Hound. Picture by Scott Fletcher

A spokesperson for the AWLQ said a woman surrendered the group of puppies after she rescued a female ex-racing greyhound that turned out to be pregnant.

There is no suggestion the woman failed to provide adequate care for the puppy.

Blaze the greyhound pup was the result of an unregistered mating. Picture Glenn Hampson

AWLQ foster carer Belinda Williams has been caring for the injured puppy, since named Blaze.

Ms Williams has been taking the 10-week-old for walks in a pram so he can see the outside world despite his fracture and vaccination schedule.

Blaze loves to get out and see the world in his pram. Picture Glenn Hampson

She said people loved to stop and pat him and he was happy to watch the world go past.

“He just sat there, so every day we would go out for a walk,” she said.

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Blaze will be available for adoption soon at the AWLQ.

A request sent to the Queensland Racing Integrity Unit for comment was not returned by deadline.