Greyhound racing exists with the help of supportive media that has been captured by gambling interests. Their unbalanced and biased coverage is unethical and directly results in the ongoing suffering of Australian greyhounds.
We aim to document their dodgy reporting below.
“why is a newspaper protecting the identity of this piece of shit?” (Bernard Keane, Crikey)
The Bendigo Advertiser has long sponsored greyhound racing at the Bendigo track. For years they’ve been advised of the frequent killing on the track. Still, their coverage of a disturbing animal cruelty case was gobsmacking, and not just for Crikey’s Bernard Keane.
Two greyhounds died from heatstroke and over-exertion after being left unattended on a training treadmill. However, the Advertiser’s Tom O’Callaghan focused on the trainer and the “woman’s impeccable half-century greyhound racing career”. He wrote: “It brought a screeching halt to what a Bendigo magistrate described as an “immaculate” contribution to Victoria’s greyhound racing industry.”
Despite being found guilty of animal cruelty, O’Callaghan said: “The woman – whom the Bendigo Advertiser is not naming as a conviction was not recorded – is a highly respected veteran of the industry.”
Veteran trainer Beverley Pell was named on the Bendigo Magistrates Court list for 2 March 2026.
“‘Slipped my mind’: lauded racing career wrecked after treadmill horror“, Bendigo Advertiser, 5 March 2026, print and online
“Three repeat winners at Sale” – Gippsland Times 1 April 2026
Gippsland in Victoria is one of the deadliest regions for greyhounds. Yet the local Gippsland Times still thinks nothing is wrong with the “sport” or promoting images of Sportsbet – their big picture has at least 16 depictions of the Irish company’s logo.
“THREE greyhounds who won during Wednesday night’s Sale meeting backed up with victories on Sunday night.”
The SE Voice
The SE Voice in Mt Gambier SA breathlessly covers dog racing, as if the articles have been written by the industry itself.
For example: “Chasing his first win since last August, the black dog led all the way in the Ontrack Insider TG1-4W Fast Forward final (400 m) and picked up $1065 for connections after defeating Dimora Bernie by 3½ lengths in 22.90 seconds. ”
Owner/editor Lechelle Earl says the Voice is “run by a creative team of local journalists”. Maybe there should be less creativity and more journalism.
Recent 2026 headlines include:
16 April: “Cup day at Tara Raceway a winner”
9 April: “Cup winner lowers race record”
12 March: “Good start to year for local trainer”