Australian greyhound racing rocked by fresh abuse claims (2024)

Australian greyhound racing rocked by fresh abuse claims (1)Image source, Getty Images

Hannah Ritchie

BBC News, Sydney

  • Published

In 2015 Australia’s multi-billion-dollar greyhound racing industry vowed it would clean up its act.

A damning investigation at the time had exposed the preventable deaths of as many as 17,000 young dogs a year - revelations so shocking the government of the day rushed to implement an ultimately short-lived ban.

Almost a decade later, Greyhound Racing New South Wales (GRNSW) - the epicentre of the sport in the country - is back in the spotlight for alleged abuse, due to the work of one whistleblower.

In an explosive report made public by lawmakers, the organisation's former chief veterinarian has described the industry as a hotbed of “exploitation and suffering”, claiming that dogs are being raced at “barbaric” rates, euthanised without cause, or left to rot in metal cages when they can no longer compete.

Executive heads are rolling, and an inquiry, which GRNSW says it “welcomes”, has been announced to investigate the accusations, as calls from critics to have greyhound racing outlawed grow louder.

But despite evidence of slipping public support, the state’s premier has said he won’t shut down the sport, prompting a standoff with those calling for that to happen.

“The reality is the greyhound racing industry cannot exist without systemic animal cruelty,” says NSW Animal Justice MP Emma Hurst.

“It will be shut down – it’s just a matter of when.”

Image source, Getty Images

Australia has been touted as the world’s largest commercial greyhound racing industry - with roughly 60 tracks in operation. New Zealand, the US, the UK and Ireland are also home to markets, but none operate at the same velocity.

Thanks to online betting, Australia’s industry has seen rising profits in recent years, turning over A$8.3bn ($5.6bn; £4.3bn) in 2023 - with 75% of the money coming from Victoria and New South Wales (NSW), according to the greyhound protection organisation GREY2K.

The spark that ignited the current outcry over the sport’s practices was a “handover” letter, from GRNSW’s Chief Veterinary Officer Alex Brittan to his incoming replacement - his final act in a job that by his own account, had nearly broken him.

The 54-page document contains a litany of accusations - including claims that GRNSW had worked with vets “unaccepting of modern medicine” who were prone to euthanising dogs without cause, and that the company’s leadership was directing staff to treat animal welfare groups “as the enemy”.

Within hours of Mr Brittan’s letter becoming public, the chief of GRNSW Rob Macaulay had resigned and the rest of the company’s board is now fighting for their survival.

NSW’s Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris has announced an inquiry into Mr Brittan’s claims which will be led by the industry’s regulator - something which GRNSW has been quick to embrace.

“We welcome the opportunity for an external examination of our processes and record,” its acting CEO Wayne Billett wrote in a statement. And a spokesperson for GRNSW told the BBC that the organisation takes concerns related to animal welfare “very seriously”.

Image source, Getty Images

But Mr Brittan’s account differs.

In his letter he described witnessing “cases of extreme distress” in which competing dogs had “recent pools of blood” around them after ripping off their toenails while “clawing” at their caged doors.

He also called out a flurry of “preventable” on-track deaths, due to greyhounds running into poles with “no padding on them” and questioned the figures GRNSW had put forward concerning how many retired dogs it had found homes for - a practice which gives the sport its social licence to operate.

Mr Brittan says that of the roughly 4,200 dogs entering the industry each year, only 1,600 were making it out and finding owners, with the rest living out their days in “industrial kennels”.

Further - he alleged that a company programme which had been set up to export retired greyhounds to the US, so that they could find homes there, had an alarming lack of oversight.

To prove his point, he told the story of Carey - a dog who died at Sydney airport after confusing its travelling box with a racer’s starter box and running into a fence at full speed when the door opened.

NSW’s premier Chris Minns said he would examine all the allegations put forward by Mr Brittan, but quickly ruled out a blanket ban on greyhound racing in the state.

“We're not going to shut down the industry, but we do take this report seriously,” he told reporters last week.

And Mr Harris reiterated that the government would make sure the industry was held to “the highest standards of animal welfare and integrity” once the new investigation had concluded.

But given GRNSW has weathered multiple crises - including a government-backed inquiry in 2016 which delivered findings of “systemic animal cruelty” and mass killings - advocates are sceptical another inquiry will yield results.

“The greyhound racing industry was already given a chance to clean up its act eight years ago, and it’s monumentally failed,” Ms Hurst told the BBC.

Image source, Getty Images

Mr Brittan has also challenged the impartiality of the current investigation - saying it should be done by an external source, rather than the industry’s own regulator.

And he questioned why an all-out ban had been taken off the table already.

“It could be perceived as concerning that the premier and gaming minister have stated that the outcome of the inquiry is a foregone conclusion and that, irrespective of any findings, all bets are on, and the gambling will continue,” he said, according to the Guardian.

Around the world, the prominence and popularity of dog-racing for sport has been in decline.

In the US for example - which used to be one of the sport's largest industries - betting on greyhounds has been outlawed in all but a handful of states, and only two active tracks remain, both in West Virginia.

Advocates like Ms Hurst argue that the practice endures in Australia not because of community fanfare, but gambling profits.

The last time the industry was in the spotlight in 2016, over 80% of people polled by the country's national broadcaster said they wanted to see it shut down.

And in recent years, it has been outlawed in the Australian Capital Territory, while petitions calling for other jurisdictions to follow suit have made their way to several state parliaments.

GRNSW says it has no plans to go anywhere - and that racing, which first came to the nation’s shores in the late 1800s, can be done “sustainably”.

But Ms Hurst, and others calling for an end to the sport, say that the latest spate of allegations present a unique “opportunity” to “listen to the community and ban this cruel industry”.

Related Topics

  • Greyhound racing
  • Australia

More on this story

Australian greyhound racing rocked by fresh abuse claims (2024)

FAQs

Australian greyhound racing rocked by fresh abuse claims? ›

In an explosive report made public by lawmakers, the organisation's former chief veterinarian has described the industry as a hotbed of “exploitation and suffering”, claiming that dogs are being raced at “barbaric” rates, euthanised without cause, or left to rot in metal cages when they can no longer compete.

Is greyhound racing animal abuse? ›

Thousands are bred annually (many more than are needed to race) in an attempt to create the fastest dogs. Cruel methods are often used to dispose of unwanted dogs and the dogs who do survive in the industry are forced to live in cramped crates, pens or fenced enclosures.

What is the biggest issue with greyhound racing currently? ›

There are numerous animal welfare issues inherent to greyhound racing. Overbreeding of dogs, problematic training methods, injuries and deaths during training and races, continuing instances of live-baiting, and the fate of unwanted greyhounds all remain significant concerns.

What is the trauma of racing greyhounds? ›

Injuries are very common in greyhound racing causing intense pain, suffering and distress. Serious bone fractures of the leg are the most common injury. Some fractures are communited which is a high velocity injury more commonly associated with car accidents or being shot. Muscle injuries are also very common.

Why did greyhound racing get banned? ›

Beginning in roughly 1990, and continuing over the next three decades, the vast majority of greyhound tracks have closed due to declining betting revenue, encroachment by Native American gaming and commercial casino gambling into states with greyhound racing, the legalization of sports betting and concerns over the ...

Is greyhound racing cruel in Australia? ›

Overbreeding of dogs to meet quotas leading to thousands of “exhausted” greyhounds being discarded “with no hope of being rehomed” Dogs born into the industry “generally live in substandard conditions” in industrial kennels. Dogs injured on track continuing to be killed despite their injuries not being life-threatening.

Do greyhounds suffer from racing? ›

Poorly maintained tracks and racing frequency can cause painful and often lethal injuries, such as broken backs and limbs. The industry is not required to declare greyhound injuries.

What happens to greyhound dogs after racing? ›

Some “retired” greyhounds are put up for adoption, others are sent to breeding farms, and the fate of many is unknown. The National Greyhound Association, which registers all greyhounds for racing, doesn't keep track of the dogs after they leave the track.

Why did Florida stop greyhound racing? ›

Dorchak said the campaign's ultimately decisive, strategic goal was to inform the voting public about the sport's "corruption and cruelty." She said, in general, a dog died every three days and suffered devastating injuries from broken legs to severed necks running in circles to enrich bettors and dog-track owners.

What state still has greyhound racing? ›

There are only two operational dog tracks remaining in the United States, both in West Virginia. Commercial greyhound racing is illegal in 43 states.

What is the most common cause of death in greyhounds? ›

The most common causes of death were cancer (21.5%), collapse (14.3%) and arthritis (7.8%). The study documented the greyhound as a relatively common pet dog breed in the UK (0.6%) with a medium lifespan. Dental disease, injuries and osteoarthritis were highlighted as common health issues for the breed.

How long do greyhounds live after racing? ›

How old are retired racers? How long do they live? Greyhounds are usually 2-5 years old when they are retired, though sometimes we have older dogs available for adoption. The typical life expectancy of a greyhound is 12-14 years.

Why are greyhounds so aggressive? ›

Most problematic behaviours in greyhounds are founded in fear, anxiety and the uncertainty of an unfamiliar environment. This is likely due in part to genetics, but mainly due to a lack of early and appropriate socialisation to the domestic environment.

What is the truth about greyhound racing? ›

Injuries and sickness - broken legs, heat stroke, heart attacks - claim many dogs. Some are accidentally electrocuted or otherwise injured by lures during a race. Most dogs who slow down and become unprofitable are either killed immediately or sold to research laboratories.

Why do people not like greyhound racing? ›

While there are trainers and owners who do care for and love their dogs, there are too many recorded instances of greyhounds' basic welfare needs not being met. These include little, if any, enrichment, poor diet and uncomfortable conditions including lack of space and access to light.

Why are greyhounds muzzled? ›

Preventing biting: While greyhounds are typically non-aggressive, their high prey drive and competitive nature during races can sometimes cause them to react instinctively and unexpectedly. Biting or nipping at other dogs can lead to severe injuries, so wearing muzzles can effectively mitigate this risk.

Is horse racing considered animal abuse? ›

Horses are often drugged.

Because they're forced to run so fast, a lot of horses get hurt. But instead of letting them rest and recover from their injuries, many trainers and veterinarians give them drugs so they won't feel the pain and can keep on racing. This can cause their injuries to get even worse.

How are greyhounds kept when racing? ›

They are confined for long hours each day with bedding that consists of carpet remnants or shredded newspaper. In the United States, dogs are confined for 20 to 23 hours per day with intermittent turn outs and official races about once every four days. Kennels vary widely across jurisdictions.

Do greyhounds get put down? ›

In every other state, it's possible for greyhounds to be killed for a range of reasons including: injury, illness, old age, etc. In almost every case, a pet dog would never be treated this way unless suffering – when euthanasia makes sense.

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