A recent disturbing newspaper article described how the Ancient Egyptians used to value an early breed of greyhound – and then it all went wrong. There are parallels to modern Australia.
An Australian archaeologist says that for thousands of years the dogs were valued as hunters and guardians.
However, around 680BC previously elite religious practices became available to the masses. People would use the dogs as votive offerings and priests would sell dogs and breed them to keep up with demand.
As the archeologist said: “As soon as you have a moneymaking thing, you get people who are prepared to do horrible things to animals, for the sake of money.”
The article continues, “The fact that greyhounds were popular many thousands of years ago is startling, given debates around greyhound racing in Queensland.”
Feeding gambling greed
The Q is mentioned – the $86m facility in Ipswich that will see three racetracks inevitably kill greyhounds to feed gambling greed. As of 9 May 2025, five dogs have already been killed on the first track, before the official opening in June.
According to Australian racing industry annual reports, 2,600 greyhounds died within the industry in FY23-24, from all causes. Most of the deaths are self-reported by participants, and the dogs’ names and individual causes of death are kept secret. Vets are complicit.
Because of the need to replace dead and injured dogs, and the drive to find the fastest greyhound, the industry continues to breed too many dogs and ignore widespread calls for a breeding cap. Rehoming programs have failed.