Greyhound welfare advocates have renewed their calls for an independent inquiry into NSW greyhound racing after serious injuries increased almost 30 percent and a young dog died from a broken neck on an upgraded “safe” racetrack.
According to an analysis of stewards’ reports by the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG), in the first two months of FY2023/24 (July-August) there were 144 serious racing injuries, an increase of 27 percent compared to the same period last year.
The number of race meetings was similar. Serious injuries are classed as Category D, those with stand-down periods of between 28-90 days.
Meanwhile, at Richmond racetrack in NW Sydney on 30 August 2023, three-year old Miss Indi fell at high speed and died from a broken neck.
The deaths and rise in injuries come after millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent trying to make tracks safer, and Greyhound Racing NSW and industry regulator Greyhound Welfare Integrity Commission (GWIC) introduce a range of “welfare initiatives”.
In 2017 the previous LNP state government promised a five-year, $30 million track safety program but only $11.9 million has been spent according to a government website. The program has never been independently audited or reviewed.
The Richmond racetrack complex was one of those upgraded; it is currently the deadliest track in Australia this year with nine racing deaths.
According to GWIC, 65 dogs died on NSW tracks in 2022-23 compared with 51 the previous year.
In Victoria, the other major dog racing state in Australia, there have been 89 Category D injuries over more race meetings in July-August this year.
Miss Indi is the 80th greyhound to die on an Australian racetrack this year, all detailed here .
Image shows Miss Indi dying from a broken neck while falling at high speed.