A tragic “safety enhancement” has disproved the idea that greyhound racetracks can be made safe.
Twenty dogs were harmed in just two race meetings at Taree, NSW, in December 2021. Despite the track having undergone a highly regarded safety improvement.
Ten greyhounds were injured on 15 December and ten on 22 December.
Three of the injuries, out of the five deemed severe, fractured.
At Taree, 115 greyhounds were hurt overall in 2021, with three dying—two more than the previous year. In 2020, 61 dogs were injured in Taree.
Taree is setting the bar for every other club in NSW to follow, local Nationals MP Stephen Bromhead (Member for Myall Lakes) declared upon completing a $455,000 safety upgrade in March 2021.
Animal rights activists have called for an investigation into how Taree has become one of the most dangerous racetracks in NSW.
“Taree is proof that no number of apparent safety modifications can make greyhound racing safer,” the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG) stated. Instead, it puts dogs inherently at risk.
The greyhounds have no chance if Taree has set the standard higher for other NSW clubs. One race meeting resulted in the harm of ten canines. It is, without a doubt, the worst injury rate for Australia this year.
“This is a misuse of taxpayer funds in addition to misuse of greyhounds. Where is the increase in safety? There is plenty Mr Bromhead and Greyhound Racing NSW needs to answer for.”
Greyhounds injured at the race meeting on 15 December 2021
Race 1 – MAGIC RANGOON Offside sub lumber strain and offside quad strain – 7 days
Race 2 – WILD NATE Offside hind laceration lower hock – 7 days
Race 3 – YOUNG GHOST Nearside fore wrist sprain – 10 days
Race 4 – MY MINGO Offside fore laceration- 7 days
Race 4 – MAKES ME HUM Offside calf strain – 14 days
Race 7 – MIDNIGHT OFFER Offside groin strain – 14 days
Race 9 – HURRICANE JAMES Offside groin and offside fore shoulder soreness – 14 days
Race 11 – GREAT FIGHTER Nearside groin strain – 14 days
Race 9 – CLANDA’S MISS Offside pin muscle and nearside stopper – 28 days
Race 7 – REMAS FERNANDO Offside hind toe 3 fracture and toe 4 dislocations – 42 days
Greyhounds injured at the race meeting on 22 December 2021
R4 Prince Stimo – off fore pin, 10 days
R5 Symi Fortuna – off fore stopper pad abrasion, 10 days
R7 Ollie Doo – off groin, 10 days
R7 Omahri Zeus – laceration to off fore dew claw and near the hind toe, 10 days
R10 Nothing To Smart – near the fore wrist, 10 days
R6 Gilded Goat – both quads, 14 days
R5 Redbank Molly – fractured off a hind toe, 42 days
R11 Raining Ladies – fractured near the fore toe, 42 days
R11 Diamond Queen – laceration to its near hind foot, 28 days
R2 Like A Thief – fractured near the wrist, 60 days
In conclusion, 115 injuries occurred at Taree over 28 racing events in 2021 (4.1 injuries per meeting). There were 16 races and 61 injuries in 2020 (3.8 injuries per meeting).
In 2021, there were 24 serious injuries, up from 12 in 2020.
Greyhounds killed in 2021
Rivergum Rebel (6 October – broken wrist)
Kiarni Jack (18 August – broken humerus)
Smart Treasure (23 April – broken foreleg)
Stewards’ reports:
Stewards report – Taree – 15dec021
Stewards report – Taree – 22dec021
Stephen Bromhead press release: