Nineteen greyhounds killed racing in deadly December

There was no Christmas cheer nor a Happy New Year for the nineteen greyhounds killed racing in December 2022. NSW and Victorian tracks killed the overwhelming majority, sixteen, while South Australia and Tasmanian tracks killed one each.

NSW tracks were responsible for the deaths of nine greyhounds, starting with veteran racer Daniela Walsh. 52 months old, she finished her 87^th race at Maitland track on December 5th before a collision in the catching pen caused a fracture of her hock and tibia. She was killed by the on-track vet soon after.

The next day at Bulli track Mr Bennington, not yet 2 years old, suffered an excruciating comminuted fracture of his humerus following a collision and fall at the first turn where he hit the rail. It was his 15^th and last race. He was euthanised at the track. His career winnings were $11,800.

Mere days later, on December 10, three-year old Dark Sky was trampled by other runners when she fell on the home turn at Potts Park track. She suffered a comminuted fracture to her radius and ulna and could not finish. It was her 26^th race. This petite little girl, just 23 kg, was killed by the on track vet.

The very same day, at The Gardens track, Adele Amour was killed after suffering a compound fracture in her foreleg. Racing in only her 7^th start, another runner galloped on her heels, and 2-year old Adele Amour fell at the home turn. The stewards’ report coldly states “euthanasia was administered”.

Yet another greyhound was killed on December 10, this time at Wentworth Park. Lightnin’ Ethics was running in the Ladbrokes “Christmas Gift” race when she was galloped into from behind and fell on the first turn. She broke her foreleg in multiple places when she “fell very heavily” and failed to finish the race. Lightnin’ Ethics was a successful greyhound, winning over $51,000 from her nine month, 23 start career, but her owner showed no seasonal cheer when she was killed as her “Christmas Gift”.

 On December 15 at the Casino track, Alinta Fire, just a puppy at 21 months, failed to finish her 9^th race when she fell following a collision with another runner on the circular track. She broke her foreleg in multiple places. Alinta Fire had been raced four times in 11 days. She was killed by the on-track vet.

Three greyhounds were killed in the last three days of December in NSW. December 29 saw two greyhounds killed at separate tracks. Wild Wheels , not yet two years old, was one of three greyhounds in his race who fell at the turn into the back straight at Gunnedah track. He was trampled on by the other runners and suffered a compound fracture of his foreleg. Wild Wheels was running in his 6^th and final race, having won $1,740 for his owner/ trainer in his short 11 week career. He was killed by the on track vet.

On the same day at Dapto track, young Slingshot Lucy, not quite two years old, fell on the first turn and failed to finish her race. She had a comminuted fracture to her radius and ulna and must have been in agony. She had been forced to race four times in 10 days in the lead up to her death. Slingshot Lucy was killed after her final race by the on track vet.

The Gardens killed another greyhound on December 31^st when On Par shattered his hock at the first turn.  Although he did not fall, he failed to finish his race and according to the stewards’ report, “euthanasia was applied”. It was his 45^th race and he had earned his owner nearly $13,000. There was no Happy New Year for On Par.

Seven greyhounds were killed racing on Victorian tracks in December.

At Ballarat track on December 1^st, Windeyer Bale, just two years old and a petite 25 kg, is seen in the race video alone and limping on as she valiantly tries to finish her last and fatal race. She had collided with another runner on the home turn and had broken down with a fractured left radius. The video is heartbreaking to watch. Windeyer Bale had raced a mere 5 times for winnings of a measly $130.

The following week at Geelong (Victoria’s deadliest track), Felonious Gru was killed by the on track vet following an “incident” in the catching pen. He fractured his left hock and tibia. He had raced 22 times.

On December 15 at Warragul track, Havoc’s Legacy saved his syndicate the bother of euthanizing him when he suffered an horrific head trauma post-race in the catching pen and bled to death. He was not quite four years old and had raced  28 times.

A few days later, on December 18, Michael Rose, nearly 2 years old, collided with another runner and fell at the first turn, shattering his elbow in multiple places while racing in only his 8^th start at Sale track. He was killed by the on track vet.

The next day at Shepparton track, petite Becky Lyn, only just two years old and running in her first race, fell at the first turn and suffered multiple fractures of both forelegs as well as head trauma. The on-track vet euthanised her. Becky Lyn’s tragic career had lasted mere seconds.

On December 28 at The Meadows track, Tower Bell fell at the home turn and fractured his skull. Tower Bell was 32 months old and had raced 74 times for over $18,000 in prize money. He was killed by the on track vet.

Three days later on New Year’s Eve at The Meadows again, Town Rocker was killed following a fall on the home turn. He broke his elbow. It was his 54^th race.

And so to South Australia and Tasmania, each killing a greyhound in December.

Murray Bridge track (a “world class, safe track”) killed Wild Bean who fell at the home turn and fractured his radius and ulna on December 16^th. He was killed by the on-track vet following his 16^th and final race.

Hobart track was the scene of Locknane Serpent’s final tragic race on December 22^nd. She fell at the home turn and fractured her left foreleg. At least her suffering was put to a swift end by the on-track vet. Her kennel mate Tah Bernard suffered a different fate.

In early January 2023, CPG was also informed of a South Australian dog that had suffered a broken leg in December and was euthanased at a clinic away from the track. More details will be published shortly.

Image shows the agony of Wild Bean

The statistics

Injuries (may be more than one)

Where injuries occurred

RIP. We will remember them