There Have Been Over 50 Greyhound Deaths On The Racetrack In 2022
"A broken leg shouldn't be a death sentence, but it is if you're a greyhound that can't earn revenue."
More than 50 greyhounds have died on the racetrack this year alone, while nearly 3400 have been injured.
Advocacy group the Greyhound Coalition said racetrack deaths had surpassed 50 after six dogs lost their lives over the last week, bringing the death toll to 53 as of Monday.
“Australian racetracks are deadly for greyhounds, and death and injury are inevitable, said director Kylie Field in a statement. “A broken leg shouldn’t be a death sentence, but it is if you’re a greyhound that can’t earn revenue,” she said. “In the racing industry, business is put before animal welfare — and greyhounds lose.”
Nearly half of the deaths took place in Victoria, followed by 14 deaths in NSW, seven in both Queensland and South Australia, two in Tasmania, and one in Western Australia.
The RSPCA identifies overbreeding, high rates of injuries, inadequate socialisation and environment concerns, the use of live baiting in training, lack of industry transparency, unenforceable regulation standards, and the administration of banned substances as the key areas of concern in greyhound welfare.
Euthanasia was responsible for 92 percent of racing deaths this year, with the Greyhound Coalition saying many of the injuries would have been treatable. The remaining eight percent of dogs died from their injuries at the track.
On Saturday, the world’s ‘richest’ greyhound race took place in Glebe, Sydney, where owners went in to win $1 million if their competing dog raced in less than 30 seconds — an attempt to “rebuild the reputation” of the industry, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The six dogs killed over the last week were Cold Esky in SA, Polar Express in NSW, Slingshot Jonesy in Vic, Innocent in SA, Hibiscus Moon in NSW, and King Kairo in SA.
“The racing industry, supported by state governments, continues to kill and injure dogs in the pursuit of gambling profits,” said Field. “The only way to stop the suffering of these wonderful dogs is to ban greyhound racing.”