Geelong Greyhound Racing: Animal welfare group calls for safety audit after dog dies on track

Geelong’s greyhound racing club has been named one of the deadliest in Australia after another animal was killed last week, sparking calls for an independent safety review.

The Geelong Greyhound Racing Club recorded its eighth death at the track this year last week.

Geelong’s greyhound racing track has been named one of the deadliest in Australia after another animal was killed last week, sparking calls for an independent safety review.

Greyhound welfare advocates have slammed “the appalling safety record” of the The Beckley Centre after an eighth animal was euthanised on December 8.

Two-year-old dog Felonious Gru finished fifth in a 400m race on Thursday before suffering an injury in the catching pen.

The Geelong Greyhound Racing Club’s Beckley Park track has come under fire after its eighth dog death of the year was recorded on December 8.

More than 19 dogs have died and 794 injured at the city track since January 2020, with Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds director, Kylie Field, claiming the number was a snapshot of the Victorian industry as a whole

“Does Geelong meet minimum safety standards? Is the racing industry concerned about the eight deaths so far this year?,” she asked.
“There needs to be an independent review – there is no transparency in greyhound racing and no accountability.”

A spokesman from the Geelong racing club confirmed a dog was euthanised by a track veterinarian last week.

Greyhound Racing Victoria is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

The winning posts at the Geelong Greyhound Racing Club.

“It did not occur during a race, but in highly unusual circumstances post-race when it suffered a serious injury,” the spokesman said.
“Consultation is undertaken between GRV veterinarians and connections before any decision in the best interests of the animal’s welfare is made.”

A total of 43 greyhounds have died on Victorian tracks this year, with more than 156 across Australia.
Shepparton has recorded the most with nine.

It comes as the Geelong club prepares for one of its biggest events of the year on December 22, where kids can meet “Bluey and Bingo” - in reference to the hit children’s TV program.

“While kids can also meet Bluey characters at the event, it’s sobering to think that if Bluey and Bingo were greyhounds, they’d probably be dead by now,” Ms Field said.

Animal Justice Party protesters at Beckley Park on April 22, 2022.

“All the eight dogs that have died at Geelong this year have been two or three years old, younger than Bluey and Bingo.”

Activists from the Animal Justice Party held a protest at Beckley Park in April calling for the sport to be banned.

According to stewards reports, some of the injuries sustained by dogs at the Geelong track include broken legs, torn muscles, dehydration, lacerations, seizures, abrasions, bruising, strained backs, spike wounds, sprains, cramps, torn nails, split webbing, and diaphragmatic spasms.

GRV has been contacted for comment.

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Originally published as Geelong Greyhound Racing: Animal welfare group calls for safety audit after dog dies on track