The new racetrack at Traralgon has taken only 16 days to kill its first greyhound, say greyhound welfare advocates.
The redeveloped track had its first race meeting on 22 April 2026. At its third race meeting on 8 May, according to stewards reports, two-year-old Slick Ivan suffered a foreleg fracture and was euthanised two hours later.
The previous track, a controversial $7.6m “J-curve” design, was closed in July 2024 after 14 dogs were killed racing and more than 1,000 were injured. Many injured dogs died post-race.
The J-curve track recorded its first racing fatality in the 12th race meeting.
Victoria continues to be Australia’s deadliest state for greyhounds, with nine dogs killed on-track this year. At least 14 others have died post-race from serious injuries.
A Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG) spokesperson said:
“The Traralgon tracks are proof that every greyhound track kills and no track can be made safe.
The J-curve track was said to be state of the art and safe, but it took a huge toll of greyhounds. This new track was also promoted as safe, but only took three race meetings before a young greyhound lost his life.
Five dogs were injured in the very first race meeting on 22 April 2026. There’ll be many more deaths on this new track.
Every state in Australia has expressed alarm at greyhound racing or established inquiries into the industry, apart from Victoria. Victorian governments have shown no concern at the huge number of greyhound deaths and injuries.
There has to be an independent inquiry into Victorian greyhound racing and the government must start planning for the end of this archaic, cruel and abusive industry.”
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Stewards report: https://fasttrack.grv.org.au/RaceField/ViewRaces/1279848091?raceId=1295482801
Race video: fasttrack.grv.org.au/RaceVideo/RaceVideo/1295482801