While every state has greyhound welfare standards of some kind, they aren’t necessarily well enforced.
The acid test of these standards is the condition in which ex-racing dogs arrive at community-run rescues. A CPG survey found that the racing industry hands over most of its dogs in a neglected condition, despite welfare codes requiring the exact opposite.
The survey gathered anonymous observations from community-run greyhound rescue groups around Australia regarding the health and living conditions of dogs at the time of rescue from trainers and owners.
This meant volunteers could accurately describe the dogs’ condition without fear of reprisal from racing industry participants. Some of these people threaten to euthanise greyhounds, rather than hand them over to rescues, if they deem these groups to be advocating against dog racing.
Guardian Australia, ‘They couldn’t care less’: fears for dogs’ welfare as Greyhound Racing NSW axes one of two adoption centres, Catie McLeod, 25 May 2024.
Ray Hadley radio show, Disgraceful’ – Ray investigates Greyhound Racing NSW misconduct allegation, May 22, 2024.
May 2024 – Poor standards revealed at industry body GRNSW’s GAP NSW Wyee facility, NSW. These images were provided to Sydney radio presenter Ray Hadley by sacked GAP employees.
Meanwhile, here are two typical case studies provided by rescue groups from around Australia:
Case Study : Dusty
This greyhound male was very underweight and had multiple corns on his foot after injuring himself racing and having a toe amputated. After being surrendered, he needed further surgery to remove grit from his problem foot and it took about three months to heal. He also had severe behavioural issues which required about six months of fluoxetine and training before he could be rehomed. The photos on the right show Dusty when he arrived at the rescue directly from the racing industry and how much better he looked after community volunteers had looked after him.
Case Study : Rita
Rita suffered an untreated fractured leg which was strapped to her body by a NSW industry participant and calcified in that position. After she was surrendered to a community-run rescue, vet advice was sought and the leg was amputated because all three leg joints were ‘frozen’ and nothing could be done. The pathology report on the amputated leg stated that the fracture was at least two years old and Rita would have been in extreme pain the entire time. Rita is now happily rehomed and doing well. The cruelty by her racing industry owner was reported to the relevant state regulator.
