Welfare groups outraged after dogs die at The Q, Ipswich’s new racetrack

Despite promises of safety, two dogs have died, with others injured, in trials before Queensland’s new state-of-the-art greyhound track officially opens, prompting fresh calls for tougher controls.

The Q at Ipswich will taken over from the Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club with the official opening in June. Picture: The Q

The launch of Queensland’s new $86 million greyhound racing facility, The Q at Ipswich, has been overshadowed by the deaths and injuries of three dogs in the lead-up to its official opening on June 7.

Promoted as a state-of-the-art venue prioritising animal welfare, the track has faced immediate scrutiny after the tragic events during and prior to its soft launch on April 4.

Two greyhounds tragically died during trial runs in late March, with both suffering hock fractures, cracks in the joints of the hind limb of animals, often resulting in dogs having to be euthanised.

In an email to animal welfare group AnimalKIND, the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) confirmed that both dogs were euthanised after veterinary consultations.

“Throughout the trials on 24 and 25 March 2025, two greyhounds sustained hock fractures,” The QRIC email said.

“The QRIC veterinarian on-course provided immediate treatment and referred the greyhounds to an offcourse vet for diagnostic treatment.

“Scans were completed on both animals, with a secondary opinion from an orthopaedic vet, resulting in both dogs being euthanised,” the QRIC said.

The third dog, Fernando Dusty, suffered a serious injury during the opening race on April 4.

The injury, described as a right hind hock fracture, has led to a 90-day stand-down period, with a mandatory trial required before the dog can race again.

A QRIC report from the April 4 event confirmed Fernando Dusty’s injury, which occurred when the dog collided with another during the race.

In response to the events at The Q, the QRIC acknowledged the incidents and reiterated its commitment to animal welfare.

“The QRIC takes animal welfare and integrity in the racing industry very seriously and is committed to ensuring all racing animals are afforded high standards of care,” the commission said.

QRIC said no extra measures would be instated to address broader safety concerns raised by animal welfare groups.

However, QRIC said it was working with Racing Queensland to review trial procedures but said trials conducted at The Q were not subject to the same reporting standards as formal races in other states, leading to further calls for more transparency.

Queensland Racing Integrity Commission has been criticised for inadequate penalties for animal welfare violations.

In the past month, trainer Ken Boody was given a three-month suspension and a $5000 fine for drugging his dog, which was the trainer’s third similar offence, while trainer Malcolm Cuneo received a $1500 fine for drugging his dog with the same banned substance.

The Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club, closed this month. Picture: Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club

The Q replaces the Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club, which animal welfare group AnimalKIND said had one of the worst safety records in the country.

From 2020 to 2025, the Ipswich facility recorded 41 greyhound deaths and more than 2500 injuries, including 453 major injuries.

The facility’s closure followed a history of safety issues, but the new track’s early incidents raised questions from animal welfare groups.

Racing Queensland said there had been no fatalities at The Q’s first two race meetings on April 4 and April 8 but did not elaborate on the dog injured on April 4.

“At present, approximately 3 per cent of starters across all Queensland greyhound tracks incurred injury, with the vast majority of those able to return to racing inside a fortnight,” Racing Queensland said.

“The adoption of the Race Meeting Injury Scheme, and the management of on-course injuries, supports industry participants to treat and rehabilitate greyhounds that have sustained serious injuries at race meetings.

“The introduction of the RMIS saw on-course euthanasia rates reduced by more than 70 per cent.”

The recent injuries raised alarm among animal welfare groups including Queensland-based AnimalKIND, a not-for-profit, independent animal rights organisation.

AnimalKIND campaign manager Amanda Holly with rescue dog Fred. Picture: Contributed

AnimalKIND campaign manager Amanda Holly criticised the new facility and its lack of communication with the public.

“The industry’s core issue isn’t track design, it’s that racing itself is dangerous and exploitative – they can’t engineer their way out of killing these animals,” Ms Holly said.

“The public has a right to know how their money is being wasted, and dogs have a right not to die for entertainment,” she said.

The concerns were echoed by the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds, which has campaigned for the end of greyhound racing in Queensland.

The Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds Queensland state president Amy MacMahon questioned whether The Q’s promises regarding animal welfare were genuine.

Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds Queensland state president Amy MacMahon with rescue dog Buddy. Picture: Contributed

“Australia, and particularly Queensland, are some of the last places propping up this dying industry as we’ve seen New Zealand has taken action with a national ban,” Ms MacMahon said.

“However, instead of retiring these dogs, we’re seeing them exported to Australia to continue racing, which is an outcome that undermines the intent of the ban.

“Queensland should be leading on animal welfare, and not giving a second life to an industry others are leaving behind.”

As part of Racing Queensland’s commitment to animal welfare, close to $1 million was spent in 2024-2025 to support greyhound welfare initiatives.

The Race Meeting Injury Scheme was established to alleviate financial concerns relating to the treatment and rehabilitation of racing animals, while the Greyhound Retirement Readiness Scheme was developed to support the successful transition from racing to pets.

Racing Queensland said rules, which came into effect in September 2024, clarify the responsibility of owners to rehome a greyhound after racing, outline the limited circumstances in which euthanasia of a greyhound is permitted in Queensland and specify the circumstances in which the controlling body may deem a greyhound to have been abandoned.

As part of construction of The Q, Racing Queensland has engaged with some of the world’s most authoritative voices in track design and injury prevention to further inform its decision making, providing new and improved ways to deliver safer racing.

It is a requirement that all greyhounds must complete a trial at The Q before they are permitted to race at the venue.

■ The Q’s official opening event will take place on June 7, to coincide with the Group 1 Flying Amy Classic as part of the Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival.

Originally published as Welfare groups outraged after dogs die at The Q, Ipswich’s new racetrack