The greyhound racing industry loves to promote its “awards” that supposedly celebrate dog racing. Of course, they are an exercise in misinformation and fantasy that applies a gloss to an industry built on the broken bodies of greyhounds.
The Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds has tried to restore truth to the awards system. The awards below make for grim reading, but provide an overview of an industry that is failing these beautiful dogs. The awards at the end, however, provide for a more hopeful future.
Australia’s Deadliest State 2022: NSW
Out of 107 racing deaths nationwide, NSW has taken the lives of the most – 34. Unusually, 62 percent were female; other states have a male bias.
Australia’s Deadliest Track 2022: Geelong VIC
Geelong is currently the worst track with 7 deaths. The most recent loss, Ollie, collapsed and died, although only three years old.
The Deadliest Race Award: Race 7 , 5 August 2022, Wagga Wagga NSW
At 8.27pm, Tiggerlong Fab fell heavily at the home turn, shattering his foreleg. Veracruz shattered his spine after running into TIggerlong Fab. After a time, both were euthanased. Both were 3 years old.
The Youngest Greyhound Death: Hypergolic
18-month old Hypergolic fell in her first race, fracturing her radius, ulna, and carpal bones.
The Oldest Greyhound Death: Kinate
66-month old Kinate suffered a heart attack and died after running his 133rd race.
The Longest Run Award: Filthy Phantom
Apparently there is no limit to the number of races a greyhound can run. So Filthy Phantom has now notched up 308 races (as of 25 August 2022), the most ever. He’s survived almost five years of running in circles.
The Taxpayer Wastage Award: Traralgon
The much-vaunted, supposedly safe Traralgon VIC track cost $6m, half from taxpayers. It’s injured the most greyhounds in Victoria (219), and killed three.
The Failed Experiment Award: Traralgon
Earning its second award, Traralgon wins for its UTS-designed world-first “J-curve” track. See the outcome above.
The Best Note-taking Award: Victoria
Victorian race stewards are the only ones to record a concern for the racing frequency of greyhounds. However, they only “note the comments” of the dogs’ trainers. See here: https://greyhoundcoalition.com/racing-frequency/
The “Just Like Any Other Sport Award”: Every Dog Killed With A Leg Injury
The industry loves to compare racing to other (human) sports. 77% of greyhound racing deaths are euthanasias for leg injuries. 12 dogs also died from skull/spine fractures – which sport allows that?
The Longest Investigation Award: Victoria
On 8 January 2022 witnesses say Krakatoa was decapitated by the race lure. Greyhound Racing Victoria promised an investigation. We’re still waiting for the report…
The Hide The Truth Award: NSW, QLD, TAS
GRNSW regularly censors race videos that show greyhounds suffering. Tasracing has recently eagerly picked up the habit. And Racing Queensland has just done the same, removing the race video of Sako Outlaw suffering from a fractured spine until euthanased.
The We Love Our Dogs Award: South Australia
“We love our dogs” is the brand slogan for Greyhound Racing SA. 13 dogs have been killed racing this year and almost 600 injured. Love hurts.
The Cruellest Procedure Award: Surgical AI
Although banned overseas because it is “mutilation”, Surgical Artificial Insemination is the preferred breeding method, despite the availability of a more ethical and effective procedure.
The Irony Award: Vets
90% of the 107 greyhound racing deaths this year were the result of veterinary euthanasia. And several veterinary hospitals actually sponsor greyhound races.
The Supreme Irony Award: The NSW Parliamentary Friends of Racing
These politicians aim to promote dog racing as “as an entertaining, transparent and sustainable industry”. An impossible job.
The Loyal Sponsor Award: Carlton & United Breweries
Through all the death and carnage on Australian racetracks, CUB loyally sponsors races with beer brands Crown Lager, Great Northern, Cascade Draught. They’ve proved impossible to contact.
The Fantasy Fiction Award: Greyhound Clubs Australia
Their website “Greyhound Facts” tries to justify racing with a mass of misinformation. Dog-lovers should avoid.
The Truth Will Out Award: Greyhound Clubs Australia
One of the themes for the symposium held before the 2022 GCA Awards is the “media presentation of racing”. Imagine how they felt when – on the same day – the SA live baiting allegations blew up a media storm and appeared on Channel Seven, Channel Nine, ABC, InDaily, West Australian, news.com, Yahoo, Shepparton News, Bega District News, Sydney Morning Herald, Canberra Times, etc etc
The Truth in Finance Award: Tasmanian Department of Treasury and Finance
IER is a consultancy paid by the racing industry to show the economic benefits of greyhound racing. The Tasmanian Treasury has described their methodology – the “multiplier effect” – as “unreliable and problematic”. Bingo.
The Ethical Company Award: 40 big brands
40 brands rejected involvement in greyhound racing after Channel Seven recycled their ads during the Thrill of the Chase TV series. They deserve consumer support and are listed here: https://greyhoundcoalition.com/stopping-sponsors
The Rehoming Heroes Award: Community-run Rescue and Rehoming Groups
The VIC and NSW “GAPs” had a combined budget of $7.1m, and they still euthanased greyhounds. The cost per dog at GAP NSW was $14,000. More dogs are rehomed by cash-strapped, volunteer-run groups who go beyond the limits of endurance to care for the greyhounds lucky enough to be saved by them.
The Dearly Departed Award: Blue the Grey
We celebrate Blue the Grey who showed us the wonder of greyhounds. Blue will be sorely missed.