In just three days alone seven greyhounds died at the tracks. Of the 75 greyhounds who suffered leg fractures while racing in June at least 6 are now reported as deceased despite being given 90 day stand down periods, ostensibly for surgery and rehabilitation. Victoria proved it was the deadliest state both for on track and post race day deaths.

Three greyhounds died at race meets on June 3. Black Nevera, three, WON his race at Ballarat before falling after the finishing line and fracturing his right humerus. He was killed by the industry vet soon after. His $2,250 prizemoney must have been a consolation to his connections who chose not to put it toward life saving surgery. The commentator would have witnessed the fall but makes no mention of it as he chatters on waiting for the numbers to come up on the semaphore. Another greyhound fell and suffered a fractured tarsal bone at this race meet. Two year old Ridiculous was given a 90 day stand down period and is currently still listed as racing but has no trainer.

Demon Yogi, just a pup at 20 months, collided with another dog on the turn in race 1 at The Meadows and fell, fracturing BOTH his forelegs. His fall is captured on the race video. There were six greyhounds in the race, and one trainer had 4 of them. Demon Yogi had raced only 4 times. He was killed by the on track vet.

Out The Will, who had just turned four but was still being forced to race, didn’t even live to run a 64^th time. She was found dead in her race kennel prior to race 12 at Taree. According to the stewards report “further investigations” are ongoing.

Two more greyhounds were killed on June 10. Bounding Rupee, just 23 months old and running in his very first race at Richmond, collided with the catching pen gate after race 3. The on course vet declared him dead, on the track where he lay, from severe head trauma. The race video shows him trailing the field for the entire race and it is heartbreaking to watch knowing that his life would be over a few seconds later. A young dog’s life ended far too soon. He was his trainer’s only greyhound.

The same day at Queensland’s Q1 Lakeside track, the state-of-the-art greyhound killing venue, two year old Bowl Cut Jean was checked shortly after the start of race 9 and fell. Her race was over a mere three seconds in as she fell swiftly on what looks like a slick track. She had suffered what is coyly referred to in the stewards report as an “offside foreleg injury” but which then brutally goes on to state due to the “catastrophic injury” she was euthanised.

A further two greyhounds were killed on June 18. Two year old Weblec Prince was running at Angle Park in his 36^th race, the ironically named “Greyhounds As Pets” race when he was checked and fell approaching the home straight turn. The race video shows him being checked and falling swiftly. The horrendous fall doesn’t even rate a mention from the race caller. Weblec Prince had suffered bilateral radius and ulna fractures, both forelegs broken. Despite winning his connections over $46,000 he was killed by the industry vet.

Three year old Jabberwocky was caught in a collision with other greyhounds in race 12 at Shepparton. He was galloped on and fell near the home turn fracturing his right humerus. His fall can be seen in the race video- he loses balance then falls back in an instant, his head snapping from side to side. The race caller exclaims “ooh there’s big trouble in behind”. Jabberwocky had raced 48 times and had been raced just 3 days prior to this race. He was killed by the on track vet. Jabberwocky was three years old.

Four days later on June 22 Shepparton track again claimed another life, that of Rev Treasure, again a four year old greyhound, again running in race 12. She was severely checked and fell turning onto the home straight, again fracturing her right humerus. She can be seen in the race video flipping over then sitting stricken on the track, struggling and failing to stand while looking at the rest of the field as they continue their race. Her fall is not commented on by the caller. Rev Treasure was killed by the on course vet soon after.

Over the next week Victorian tracks continued to kill more greyhounds. Three year old Paw Xabia, owned by one of Australia’s biggest owner/breeders, was running in race 9 at Warrnambool on June 25 when she was checked and fell turning off the back straight. She suffered a fractured right radius and ulna. The race video shows her fall, she tries to pull up, her mouth gaping in pain. It was her 49^th and last race. The industry vet killed her not long after.

The next day young pup Aniseed Ball was running in his first race at Horsham. He was severely checked on the first turn and fell, fracturing his left radius and ulna. The race caller can be heard remarking in the race video “It got messy on the first turn” after Aniseed Ball is seen falling in a flash. The race carried on and as the field passes the finishing post a lone spectator can be seen. Aniseed Ball’s career lasted mere seconds, at just 19 months’ of age he was killed by the on track vet.

And the day after that, at Q1 Lakeside, the favourite in race 7, two year old Cumbria Benny fell in the back straight after being “severely checked”. Not only did he break his nearside foreleg but the fall also broke his nearside hock. After winning his connections over $85,000 in his 55 race career, Cumbria Benny was killed by the on track vet.