Some highlights from a very big list.
All this could not have happened without the countless community greyhound advocates across the world who will not rest until greyhound racing is banned, everywhere. Special mention to the extraordinary community greyhound rescues who are on the front line every day rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming these wonderful dogs.
International
Greyhound racing banned in New Zealand
The New Zealand Government announced an end to greyhound racing, a practice that has causes unimaginable suffering for so many dogs. We salute the New Zealanders who have fought so long and so hard to end this cruelty. It is a testament to the power of animal advocates and the community in general. Greyhound racing will be phased out with the ban coming fully into effect in July 2026.
- Greyhound racing ended in Mexico, with the closing of its last track, Agua Caliente. All 350 surviving dogs were saved.
- 111,155 signatures were collected for a Blue Cross UK petition to ban greyhound racing in the UK.
- In the UK, Crayford Track and Henlow Greyhound Stadium announced closures.
- A GREY2K USA Worldwide Norstat poll showed that 70% of Irish voters now firmly oppose dog racing subsidies, and that 57% of Welsh citizens and 60% of Scots support a racing ban.
- Connecticut became the 43rd American state to sign into law a ban on dog racing.
- PETA India prevented illegal greyhound races taking place in a number of locations across the country. They worked with authorities to prevent the races and called for stringent action against the law breakers.
"Unbound the Greyhound" takes out major film award
A short film about the campaign to end greyhound racing in Scotland, “Unbound The Greyhound”, won in the animal welfare category of the world’s biggest sustainability film festival. The Unbound the Greyhound campaign brings together nine leading animal welfare organisations.
- In Scotland, a consultation for a proposed Bill to ban greyhound racing received almost 800 responses and resulted in a large majority (86%) in support of the ban. The proposed Bill also gained support from MSPs from all political parties. 22,655 people signed an UnboundTheGreyhound open letter with 9,505 people pledging their support to the Bill.
- Arizona & New Hampshire signed bills to outlaw remote gambling on dog racing, joining two thirds of all American states to prohibit all forms of greyhound gambling.
- The biggest online gambling company in the world suspended remote wagering operations to the USA, no longer broadcasting British and Irish races to American gamblers.
The story of a dog that inspired a movement, "Brooklyn Goes Home", is published
GREY2K USA Worldwide’s President Christine Dorchak and Executive Director Carey Theil published their new book, Brooklyn Goes Home. It won multiple awards, and was featured on a 50 feet long Times Square marquee.
- GREY2K USA Worldwide’s Christine Dorchack was featured in an American Bar Association Journal as part of an issue dedicated to animal law.
- The Beagle Freedom Project allied with GREY2K USA Worldwide shut down an infamous blood bank in California that took greyhounds from American and Mexican racetracks and sold their blood for profit.
- A record-breaking 13,383 greyhounds walked globally in the Great Global Greyhound Walk.
National
- All states recorded major losses in wagering revenue.
- Greyhounds were a hot topic at the 2024 Animal Rights Forum in Melbourne. CPG joined other leading greyhound advocates on the Greyhound Protection Discussion Panel and held a stall at the forum’s Animal Defender’s expo.
- In February, greyhound advocates came together for the inaugural Greyhound Protection Workshop.
Bad Publicity premiered The Little Grey Film
This award-winning documentary by film-maker Indy Davies digs up the hidden truths of greyhound racing and greyhound adoption. It features candid interviews with politicians, rescue organisations and foster carers. The Little Grey Film raised $20,000 through ticket sales and fund raising which was donated to greyhound charities.
- Greyhounds Australasia finally announced the phase-out of Surgical Artificial Insemination commencing 2026 after years of advocacy by animal advocates.
- Izzy Park released the short documentary “Greyhounds are dogs too”. The documentary featured Lisa White from community greyhound adoption group Friends of the Hound, Annie Hendley from CPG, and greyhound rescuer Leanne Kelly.
- GREY2K USA Worldwide President Christine Dorchak and Executive Director Carey Theil shared their experiences making change within the greyhound community in an inspirational Ted Talk, “How to be an activist who creates real change”.
- A new greyhound advocacy organisation was established in Australia – Blue The Grey. The organisation exists to honour the legacy of the much-loved Blue and to free greyhounds everywhere.
New South Wales
- New South Wales launched the Drake Inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW.
Animal Liberation exposes Greyhound Racing NSW’s shameful fail
Animal Liberation led a campaign to expose the suffering of NSW greyhounds and show that the industry is incapable of reform. They were instrumental in pressuring the Government to carry out an inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW. They highlighted a range of animal welfare and integrity issues; published images of the appalling conditions at Wyee rehoming facility; and provided tools to make it easy for the community to express their concerns to the NSW Government.
- Following a damning report by the former chief vet of GRNSW, GRNSW CEO Rob Macaulay resigned and Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris, issued the board of GRNSW with a “show cause” notice.
- Animal Liberation, Animal Justice Party, CPG and other advocates came together for multiple protests, including protesting the Million Dollar Chase, a Bring Back the Ban rally, and a Snap Rally at NSW Parliament.
- CPG released the NSW 2023 Lethal Tracks Report.
- Concerned community members met up at Wentworth Park to discuss the NSW State Government’s plans to extend the greyhound racing lease.
- The Wentworth Park Working Group wrote condolence cards for dogs that had died at Wentworth Park racetrack, and AJP MP Emma Hurst presented these to Minister Stephen Kamper in parliament. Emma Hurst along with Greens MLC Abigail Boyd spoke up many times in Parliament about the need to shut Wentworth Park.
City of Sydney Council reaffirmed its strong opposition to greyhound racing
Lord Mayor Clover Moore calls on the NSW Government to do the right thing and return Wentworth Park to the public.
- AJP MP Emma Hurst exposed revelations of two more greyhounds killed as part of the NSW US rehoming program, and questioned Minister David Harris on the topic. Emma Hurst and Greens MP Abigail Boyd questioned Minister David Harris on why, given all the recent scandals, greyhound racing should continue in the state
- Animal Liberation published monthly updates tracking the charges laid upon NSW greyhound industry participants and provided background information and a consolidated list on their website.
- Following pressure from CPG and other greyhound advocates, University of Technology, Sydney stopped partnering with Greyhound Racing NSW.
- Greens MP Abigail Boyd confronted Premier Minns about not keeping his promise of shutting the industry down if it was still non-compliant.
- Following calls by Greens MP Abigail Boyd, the Auditor-General NSW agreed to undertake a performance audit of the industry regulator GWIC and the effectiveness of the regulatory framework set up in 2017.
Victoria
- Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) posted a $22.7m loss in FY24. They had to be bailed out with an emergency loan for the government to keep operating.
- Greyhound advocates held multiple protests at Sandown Park here | here | here.
- 1,364 submissions were made via Animal Liberation lodging an objection in response to the proposed greyhound racing and breeding facility in Kilmany, Victoria. Animals Australia also provided a comprehensive submission guide making it easy for people to make their opposition known.
- AJP MP Georgie Purcell secured new greyhound racing industry transparency measures in Parliament. GRV will now have to report on any dog that dies within ten days of a race, exactly where the dog ends up after racing (not just those rehomed by industry participants), the number of doping cases (and what substance) and a proper, comprehensive breakdown of euthanasia by reason.
Greyhound Racing Victoria faces calls for independent probe into greyhound death
CPG and AJP MP Georgie Purcell joined forces to hold the industry accountable by exposing that a greyhound had died of gangrene.
- The industry was exposed after a vet accidentally emailed evidence of euthanasia of a healthy greyhound. Clinic notes intended for a greyhound trainer were mistakenly sent to a rehoming group (Greyt Greys Rescue) that had been to the same vet for treatment of a rescue dog. The notes showed a trainer refused X-rays or treatment of a suspected leg fracture and instead requested euthanasia.
- Every sitting week in Parliament, AJP MP Georgie Purcell updated her colleagues on the number of greyhound racing deaths and injuries. She spoke to news outlets about industry scandals and injuries, pushing for an independent inquiry into the industry. She handed out condolence cards for all the dogs who have died to attendees of a greyhound racing event in Parliament.
- AJP MP Georgie Purcell also exposed how the Victoria Racing Tribunal fails to properly respond to animal abuse. Alongside volunteers and advocacy groups, she exposed dog deaths that the industry do their best to hide.
Tasmania
- Cost blow outs and a campaign led by the ‘ALLbetsareoff’ ensured the proposed New Devonport Greyhound/Harness track project did not go ahead.
- Animal Liberation Tasmania launched their “Bad Apples” greyhound racing report, containing damning insights into the industry supported by Greens MLC Cassy O’Connor, Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff, and Independent MP Kristie Johnston. Greens MLC Cassy O’Connor tabled the Bad Apples report in the Legislative Council
- Greens MLC Cassy O’Connor tabled a parliamentary e-petition with 3,600 signatures requesting a Parliamentary Inquiry into the taxpayer funding of the greyhound racing industry. A coalition of community groups including Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania, RSPCA Tasmania, Animal Liberation Tasmania, Let Greyhounds Run Free and GREAT came together to support the petition and calls for an inquiry.
- Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary founder Greg Irons and former Home and Away actor & Hit1009 Hobart radio host Christie Hayes announced they have signed on as ambassadors to end greyhound racing in Tasmania.
- Animal Liberation Tasmania continued to release footage that exposed the conditions of the training properties of over 20 Tasmanian trainers
Tasmanian vets call for an end to taxpayer funding of cruel greyhound racing
A group of 38 leading Tasmanian veterinary professionals joined the campaign to end greyhound racing. The professionals say the industry is “unavoidably and unacceptably cruel” and made a united call for an end to taxpayer funding of the industry by 2029.
- Tasmanian greyhound advocates led the way in leveraging the media to alert the public to ongoing greyhound suffering and keep up the pressure on the industry and state government. There were frequent articles in the Tasmanian mainstream media along with a stream of opinion pieces and letters to the editor. Here’s just a few: Tasmanian government urged to ‘phase out’ greyhound racing following New Zealand ban, ABC Radio Hobart | Vets join forces to protect greyhounds, The Mercury (paywalled) | Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff clashed with Minister for Racing Jane Howlett over “cultural and systemic” cruelty in the greyhound industry, The Examiner | Dogs ‘writhing in pain’ on the track, but TasRacing doesn’t want you to see, The Advocate (paywalled)
- Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania joined forces with 11 other animal welfare organisations to call for an end to taxpayer funding of Greyhound racing in the state. They launched an e-petition, sponsored by Greens MLC Cassy O’Connor, urging the Rockliff Government to follow New Zealand’s lead and ban greyhound racing.
- Professional experts were engaged to help the Tasmanian
campaign partners with ongoing political strategising, ad campaign development and
independent analysis of the misleading TasRacing-commissioned economics used to
justify taxpayer funding. - The BBC threatened legal action against racing clubs in Tasmania who were using the licenced cartoon characters Bluey and Bingo to attract children to a Good Friday dual code race meeting involving gambling on greyhound and harness racing
- Animal Liberation Tasmania exposed Hall of Fame inductee Barry Heawood, and following the release of the information, the Office of Racing Integrity opened an investigation into Heawood.
West Australia
Overwhelming community support for an end to WA greyhound racing
A petition with 26,934 signatures calling for an end to greyhound racing was tabled in the WA Parliament. Free the Hounds campaigned incredibly hard throughout 2024 for this amazing result.
- The WA petition was the first to receive bipartisan support with the Greens MLC Brad Pettitt and Labor MLC Dan Caddy presenting the petition to parliament. A parliamentary inquiry is expected. A snap protest was held to launch the petition.
- A protest was held in February at Cannington racetrack, calling for an end to the industry. National Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi and state Greens MLC Brad Petit both attended to show their support.
- In the process of gathering signatures, Free the Hounds gained the support of many local businesses. Free the Hounds also hosted a trivia night to raise money for the campaign, and held stalls at a number of markets, including at the.
- Patrick Hall, the Mayor of the City of Canning, condemned greyhound racing.
- Free the Hounds President Melissa Harrison was (as always) an incredible voice for greyhounds, speaking to the media many times in 2024 about the reality of racing in WA. She was interviewed by Channel 9 News Perth & Channel 7 News Perth and for a 10 minute segment on ABC Perth Radio. She spoke on 6PR Mornings and ABC Afternoons to discuss the petition. She spoke on 6PR Perth Live to discuss the NZ ban, and on ABC Afternoons to discuss the similarities between NZ racing and the WA industry. Greens MLC Brad Petit added to the media coverage, with a 9 minute interview on ABC Perth News to discuss the issues raised by the bipartisan Estimates Committee Report into greyhound racing.
- Free the Hounds requested that the Standing Committee on Estimates and Financial Operations inquire into the financial operations and distribution of Government funding to greyhound racing by Racing & Wagering WA. The Committee held hearings on the matter and tabled a report that recommended an inquiry into greyhound racing WA should be undertaken when the 42nd Parliament begins in 2025.
Talking Couch Potatoes
Mel and Matt hosted 24 episodes of the Free the Hounds podcast, Talking Couch Potatoes. If you haven’t already, make sure to check it out!
- Free the Hounds offered free greyhound incursions for WA Primary & Secondary schools to teach students about greyhound racing, advocacy & gambling.
- In August, Greens MLC Brad Pettitt read out in parliament the names of greyhounds that had suffered major injuries or had died so far that year.
- Free the Hounds began research regarding injuries suffered and cancer diagnoses of ex-racing greyhounds.
- Labor MLA Lisa Baker called for an end to dog racing in the state in her Valedictory speech in November. Labor MLC Dan Caddy spoke in parliament about the financial performance of WA Greyhound Racing Association and, through funding, Racing and Wagering WA.
- While the WA state government and racing community celebrated 50 years of dog racing in WA, advocates gathered to honour the greyhounds who have suffered and lost their lives in that time.
- Free the Hounds received a whopping $3,718 in donations during their annual tin shake in Perth CBD – funds that will enable them to continue the fight to end greyhound racing.
- Free the Hounds held many stalls throughout the year, including at the WA Pride Fair, Oktoberfest at Langley Park, Vic Park Market, and Perth Vegan Expo.
- Two of Free the Hounds youngest advocates, Layla McLennan and Hannah Danesfaleh, received Silver Awards in the youth category of the RSPCA Animal Welfare awards for their work advocating for greyhounds.
- Greyhounds Adoption WA and Free the Hounds got together to showcase beautiful foster hounds and advertise their petition in an appearance on Channel 10 Perth.
South Australia
- Greyhound Welfare Initiative called for submissions on the SA Draft Animal Welfare Bill with a particular focus on banning Surgical Artificial Insemination.
- In 2023, the SA Government launched an independent review of the industry. This followed the airing of drone footage showing multiple greyhounds, including puppies, being kicked and punched. The trainer responsible, Tony Rasmussen, was handed a life ban and his wife, Lisa Rasmussen, was disqualified for 15 years. In May 2024, after considerable pressure from Greens MP Tammy Franks and CPG, the SA Government finally appointed Sal Perna to implement the recommendations of the review.
Calls for stricter penalties to address ongoing abuse in SA greyhound industry
Greyhound Welfare Initiative continued to expose the failure of Greyhound Racing SA and the state government to protect greyhounds from abuse, neglect and carnage both on and off the track. GWI highlighted persistent leniency by GRSA regarding animal welfare offences. They called for industry participants to face the same penalties as any other South Australian under Animal Welfare law.
- Greens MP Tammy Frank tabled recordings of meetings between greyhound industry figures under parliamentary privilege, that exposed participants discussing the role of breeding in the industry. This allegedly included GRSA vet and greyhound breeder Dr John Katakasi stating that over-breeding would create such an animal welfare disaster it would prevent the shutdown of the industry.
Queensland
- CPG revealed that almost 1,000 greyhounds had been sent to research labs, blood banks and universities over the last five years with no record of their fate. The University of Queensland confirmed that in 2023 they had received 116 dogs with 75% of them killed them within weeks. In 2025, they continued to kill about two greyhounds a week.
- University of Queensland agreed to conduct an ethics review into their partnership with the Queensland greyhound racing industry. This included the UQ Pets for Life program which was killing around two greyhounds a week. GREY2KUSA Worldwide, AnimalKIND, Animal Free Science Advocacy, community rehomers Friends of the Hound and I Want A Greyhound, along with many other greyhound advocates made submissions to the ethics review. This led to University of Queensland putting a temporary stop on accepting unwanted greyhounds from Racing Queensland. Advocates continue to lobby University of Queensland to cease the partnership completely.
Gone to the dogs: Deaths, doping spark calls for tougher racing penalties
AnimalKIND generated coverage in the Courier Mail highlighting a range of ongoing animal welfare issues in the Queensland racing industry including on-track deaths and injuries, repeated doping and lenient penalties. The article exposed “a deeply broken system that puts profits over the welfare of innocent animals”.
- As a result of community pressure, Racing Queensland finally introduced rules around the euthanasia, rehoming and abandonment of greyhounds. This was to try and reduce the number of young, healthy greyhounds killed by the industry every year which is in the hundreds and the highest in Australia. There are still loopholes.
- AnimalKIND highlighted the huge budget blowout for the new Ipswich track “The Q” from an initial cost of $39.15M to a massive $85M, with $41M now coming from Queensland taxpayers.
- CPG released a report into the regulatory failings of the Queensland racing industry. The report reveals a range of issues including industry participants not being punished when they, inadequate animal welfare data and a lack of transparency.