Dave Layzell, Nationals MP for Upper Hunter in NSW, sponsors races at the Muswellbrook racetrack.
He proudly posted on 4 February 2024 there was “an excellent crowd at the Muswellbrook Cup this morning at the local greyhound racetrack”, even though times had to change due to a heatwave.
Layzell sponsored Race 6.
Five greyhounds were injured at the race meeting, suffering: stopper tendon injury / hip support injury and abrasions to both hind legs / fore toe ligament injury / fore spike wound and an offside hock sprain / shoulder and pectoral soreness.
The Muswellbrook track kills. In October 2023 Classy Luna crashed into the fence at the home turn and suffered a fractured hock, in front of a no-doubt excellent crowd. Only two years old, she was killed by the industry vet.
79 greyhounds were injured at the track in 2023, 21 seriously.
24 dogs were injured in January 2024, with 9 serious injuries – the second-highest total in NSW.
The rebuilt $3m Muswellbrook racetrack opened on 16 April 2023, but was plagued by controversy: https://greyhoundcoalition.com/week-of-mayhem-at-muswellbrook-spoils-the-grnsw-party/
In a 2021 press release, Layzell said: “We love our greyhound racing here in Muswellbrook”.
As a Hunter Valley MP, Layzell should know that for the years 2020-2023, 34 dogs were killed racing on the three Hunter tracks and 1,802 were injured (347 seriously).
More dogs died away from the tracks.
Layzell’s web page also says: “As a father of four, Dave wants to give his kids the opportunity of a great future”.
He should realise that young people reject a future that includes the abuse of dogs for gambling profit.
Image at top shows Levels To It running on a serious tendon injury at Muswellbrook on 4 Feb.
Images below show Layzell’s FB post and Wedding Daze falling in Race 5.
