Millicent Spencer
Two greyhounds have died at The Meadows racetrack sparking concern among animal advocates about the unsafe nature of greyhound tracks.
The two deaths at the track in Broadmeadows last week take the 2022 Victorian greyhound death toll to 48, with The Meadows responsible for three of those deaths.
Stewards’ reports from The Meadows show that in 2022 there were 264 injuries at the track, including 42 major injuries.
Stewards’ reports on December 31 show two-year-old Town Rocker fell at the home turn, suffering a fractured foreleg leading to euthanasia.
On December 28 another two-year-old, Tower Bell, also fell at The Meadows’ home turn suffering a fractured skull leading to euthanasia.
Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG) spokeswoman Joanne Lee said the recent deaths exposed critical safety issues on tracks, especially those with turns.
“The deaths at The Meadows show the unsafe nature of greyhound tracks,” she said.
“Young dogs are falling at turns at high speed and suffering agonising injuries.
“Tower Bell was the seventh Victorian dog in 2022 to die from a broken neck or skull.”
Unpublished analysis from the CPG obtained by the Star Weekly shows 81 per cent of fatal incidents in Victoria last year occurred on track turns. Currently Healesville is the only straight track in Victoria.
“Curved tracks create a higher rate of issues for dogs, however no track is safe for dogs,” Ms Lee said.
“Even tracks modernised with taxpayer money still kill and injure dogs.
“All forms of greyhound racing are dangerous, no matter what the greyhound racing PR machine says.”
Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association chief executive Scott Wuchatsch said the recent racing incidents at The Meadows resulted in the on-track vet determining euthanasia as the most appropriate course of action for the dogs.
“The loss of any greyhound on, or off the track, is distressing to all involved, the owner, the trainer, and the club,” he said.
“We have a duty of care to any dog that races on our track and although these incidents would appear to not be track related, we will await the outcome of the review and implement any changes deemed necessary.”
Newly elected Northern Victoria MP Georgie Purcell said she will be calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the greyhound racing industry in Victoria after the recent deaths.
“Victoria recorded the second highest on track deaths and injury rate for 2022 and now we’re responsible for the first Australian greyhound death of the year. Our state is responsible for immense greyhound suffering and it must stop,” she said.
In addition to an inquiry Ms Purcell said she will push to secure a ban on the industry.
“There’s nothing humane about this bloodsport and I’ll do everything I can to secure a ban,” she said.
“The industry is closing down internationally, with only two tracks remaining in the USA, Vietnam will close its last track in March, and there is huge pressure from RSPCA and the community across New Zealand and the UK. It is inevitable that this bloodsport will be a thing of the past in Victoria, and the Government has the chance to act now and take the lead, before dozens more dogs die and thousands become injured.”
Ms Lee said the state government should introduce an independent review into the safety of racetracks.
“The state government should stop believing the industry spin and introduce an independent review of safety at Victorian racetracks,” she said.
“There is no transparency in greyhound racing and no accountability.”
A government spokesman said the party takes animal welfare seriously and the loss of any greyhound is distressing for all concerned.
“Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) has made very significant improvements to safety and welfare standards in recent years and the Government will continue to support GRV to monitor and improve welfare standards, including providing funding for infrastructure upgrades to improve racing safety,” he said.
Mr Wuchatsch said the recent incidents at The Meadows are currently under review to understand the cause of the injuries.
