The latest horrific greyhound death on the “safe” Wagga Wagga track occurred as the Drake Inquiry investigates if any NSW track meets minimum safety standards.
According to the Wagga stewards report for 25 October 2024, in Race 1 Riverina Rebel fell soon after the start and crashed under the running rail, suffering “a fractured near-side fore leg and a broken neck”.
Riverina Rebel was euthanased by the racing industry vet. He had turned two years old the day before.
In August 2023 the Wagga track received a “safety rail” upgrade after shocking on-track incidents, including the death of Joyous Treasure from a fractured neck and open head wound. Three greyhounds have died since that upgrade: Bianca’s Son (fractured skull), Agland Shenzi (internal bleeding), and Riverina Rebel (broken neck).
Stewards reports show that 197 dogs have been injured since the Wagga upgrade, including 44 serious Category D injuries, of which 26 were fractures.
The Lea Drake inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW operations was launched after disturbing allegations by the GRNSW former chief vet. In his opening remarks in September, counsel assisting Leo Saunders said of NSW tracks: “Not a single one meets, or has ever met, all the minimum track standards set by Greyhound Racing NSW concerning animal welfare.”
The inquiry hearing on 25 October 2024 heard further evidence concerning minimum track standards.
16 greyhounds have now died racing on NSW tracks in 2024. According to the regulator Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC), 1,043 greyhounds died within the industry in FY23/24. 186 dogs died from injuries and accidents.
Quotes attributed to a spokesperson from Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds:
“The Wagga racetrack has seen some of the most sickening incidents to have occurred on NSW greyhound tracks.
GRNSW tried to conceal the race video of Riverina Rebel’s agony but CPG has obtained the horrific recording. It shows a young greyhound smashing into the rail post at high speed, convulsing, then lying deathly still. The day after his second birthday.
Last year GRNSW crowed about the new safety rail but it hasn’t prevented three deaths or 26 fractures.
Local MP Dr Joe McGirr has to ignore the propaganda from the racing industry. No track can be made safe and every track kills.
Last year Dr McGirr repeated the industry’s misinformation that greyhound racing provides 10,000 jobs in NSW. However, the latest ABS census showed around 2,400 full time equivalent jobs in the NSW racing industry across all three codes: thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing.
The Drake Inquiry has raised serious questions about the conduct of greyhound racing in NSW, with implications for racing in the Riverina. Is the Wagga track operating legally?
Racing at Wagga should cease until the Drake Inquiry publishes its findings.”
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Sources:
Drake Inquiry opening remarks:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/
Stewards report:
Wagga stewards report 25Oct2024
Imagery of Riverina Rebel incident:
https://drive.google.com/
Image is taken from the video showing Riverina Rebel smashing into the rail post at high speed, convulsing, then lying deathly still. Riverina Rebel suffered a fractured leg and a broken neck and was killed by the on-track vet.