‘Carnage’: Sixth greyhound euthanised this year after racing on Tasmanian racetracks

A sixth greyhound has been euthanised this year after racing on Tasmanian tracks, with a four-year-old put down after a severe fracture in Launceston. WARNING. CONFRONTING VIDEO

A sixth greyhound has been euthanised this year after racing on Tasmanian tracks.

Winklee Casey, four, was put down last week, on July 11, after a Launceston race.

According to the Office of Racing Integrity steward’s report, Winklee Casey suffered a “severe fracture to the right elbow joint” after falling on the first turn and was euthanised by the on-track veterinarian.

According to the FastTrack industry database, Winklee Casey - whose trainers are based at Exeter - completed 76 races during her career, winning $49,405 in prize money.

She was the last in her seven-dog litter still racing, with her brother Winklee Hugo euthanised in March 2022 after breaking a leg at a race in Launceston.

Winklee Hugo, who was euthanised in March 2022, about to be picked up on the track after suffering a broken leg while racing in Tasmania.

Her death comes after Tah Tracey, three, and Black Roses, both trained by Launceston trainer Anthony Bullock – also died following race meetings in June and February, respectively.

A fourth dog, Family Tradition, was also euthanised following a Launceston race meeting in March.

A steward’s report also confirms Just Like Jazzy died this June after a Hobart race after “faltering on the track”.

The stewards said they would investigate the matter.

Lil Miss Tegan, also trained by Mr Bullock, underwent a post-race examination in May, revealing a “stifle injury and a suspected patella injury and ligament damage”.

She was stood down from racing for six months, but euthanised a few days later.

The Coalition for Protection of Greyhounds (CPG) slammed the fact six dogs had already died by mid-year.

“This carnage can’t continue. Winklee Casey is the latest greyhound to fall at a track bend where the dogs bunch together at more than 60km/h. Every racetrack is lethal,” CPG director Joanna Lee said.

“You’d think that after winning $50,000, she could have been shown some loyalty and had the broken leg treated, but this industry is cruel and heartless.”

Fran Chambers from Let Greyhounds Run Free said Winklee Casey’s reward for winning prize money for her owners was death.

“It’s a violent, risky ‘sport’ for the greyhounds, one in which they have no say,” she said.

Office of Racing Integrity director Justin Helmich said over time, on-track greyhound euthanasia numbers were trending downwards.

He said in the 2018-19 financial year, 18 dogs died, compared to 13 in 2019-20 and seven in 2020-21.

Mr Helmich said in the 2021-22 year, there had been eight deaths, compared to five in the 2022-23 year.

When asked if the greyhounds could be saved instead of euthanised, Mr Hemlich said the on-track veterinarian was the “appropriately-qualified person to make a clinical decision”.

He said the vets, as well as stewards, owners and trainers, were aware of the Greyhound Recovery Rebate Scheme, which provides funding for rehabilitation of injured racing greyhounds.