Fourteen greyhounds killed racing in January 2026

Seven young greyhounds lost their lives racing in January and at least a further seven were injured and killed away from the track and away from public scrutiny. 

On January 9 at Townsville, Queensland, veteran greyhound Major Ando was running in his 81^st race when he suffered “an intractable spinal injury” just 2 seconds into race 11. It was a so-called “Masters” race designed so the industry can keep racing older greyhounds to milk every drop of profit out of them. Major Ando collided with another greyhound just after the start. He can be seen on the race video- not so much a fall as a sudden stoppage that can only happen when the spine fractures. The commentator called it “going amiss”. The on track vet killed him after his race and a necropsy was ordered. Major Ando was one of 4 greyhounds his trainer had running in the field of 5. Major Ando had won his owner over $67,000.

Petite Feelin’ Free was the smallest greyhound in race 12 at Sandown Park on January 15. After leading for much of the race and running her heart out she visibly slowed in the home straight then collapsed after the winning post and was declared deceased by the on track vet. A necropsy was ordered. Any grief her trainer felt about her loss was no doubt assuaged by the fact his other greyhound in the race came a handy first. In fact the whole race was a debacle with  greyhounds colliding and falling and one greyhound jumping the inside rail and cavorting around the infield while the race progressed. One of the greyhounds who fell suffered a metacarpal fracture earning a 60 day standdown period but could be seen on the race video hobbling over the finish line on three legs behind the rest of the field. Feelin’ Free was only just two years old yet had been raced 18 times.

Mad Dash Cline, 22 months old, was running at Mandurah WA on January 20. Much of the meet was held under Racing And Wagering Western Australia’s “Heat Policy”. Race 2 was named “Bring The Family” and a few seconds into the race Mad Dash Cline collided with other runners then had her heels galloped on at the first turn and fell, failing to finish. Her fall is captured on the race video. She had sustained an open fracture of her left foreleg. An open fracture is one where the broken bone juts through the skin. Imagine taking your family to watch greyhounds suffer like this. Mad Dash Cline was killed by the industry vet at the track.

On January 27 Hellyer Dougie had run 4^th in race 10 at Launceston. He fell approaching the catching pen and suffered not only an open fracture of his left radius and ulna but also a complete fracture to his right fore humerus. Both forelegs shattered. This distressing scene does not show on the race video as it happened after the finishing post. Hellyer Dougie was killed by the on course vet after his race. He had been forced to race 46 times. Several greyhounds were scratched from this race meet due to heat stress and one was scratched late when it was presented with lameness before its race.

Two greyhounds were killed racing at Cannington WA on January 28 and a further two were given 90 day standdown periods after sustaining broken hocks. Note that stewards had inspected the track before racing commenced and had approved it for racing. The industry-paid vet was kept busy assessing broken limbs and killing greyhounds.

Ariel’s Drive, still a puppy of 23 months, collided with other greyhounds in the catching pen and fell at the end of race 4. She suffered a fracture of her left radius and ulna. Again the commentator can be heard saying she has “gone amiss”. Ariel’s Drive was killed by the on track vet after this, her 10^th race.

A few races on, in race 7, two year old West On Ariel stumbled and tailed off in the back straight, failing to finish. She can be seen in the race video trying to slow down, tail helicoptering furiously, clearly in pain. She had fractured her right hind calcaneal bone which is part of the hock. West On Ariel was killed by the on track vet and the race meet was abandoned. Cannington race track was then closed down pending an investigation by the racing body into the quality of the track. It is closed until further notice.