Omari Gates
Greyhound racing in Australia has been the subject of intense public scrutiny and criticism in recent years, with revelations of animal cruelty, including live baiting and mass killings, sparking outrage and calls for reform or outright bans. While the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) banned greyhound racing in 2018, the activity remains legal in other states and territories, each with its own regulatory body. Despite some efforts to improve animal welfare standards, the industry continues to face allegations of abuse and exploitation, with critics advocating for more widespread bans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Greyhound racing ban in Australia | No, except in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) |
| Greyhound racing bodies | Greyhound Racing New South Wales (GRNSW), Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV), Queensland Greyhound Racing Authority (QGRA), Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association (WAGRA), Tasracing, Greyhound Racing South Australia (GRSA), Northern Territory Racing Authority |
| Animal welfare issues | Live baiting, mass greyhound killings, high death rate, under-reporting of injuries and deaths, over-racing, illegal exports to China, lack of oversight in rehoming programs |
| Industry response | Self-regulatory efforts, suspensions, inquiries, condemnation of practices, government-backed inquiry in 2016, Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) |
| Public opinion | Increased public scrutiny, lack of public support, 80% of people polled in 2016 wanted to see it shut down |
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What You'll Learn
Greyhound racing banned in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Greyhound racing has been banned in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) since 2018. The ban was a response to concerns about animal welfare and followed investigations into the greyhound racing industry that revealed widespread and entrenched 'live baiting', the export of Australian dogs to the illegal gambling industry in China, and thousands of unreported deaths of unwanted dogs and puppies.
In 2015, Animals Australia and Animal Liberation Queensland documented the use of live bait animals in the training of racing greyhounds. Terrified piglets, rabbits, and native possums were being tied to lures, flung around racetracks at breakneck speeds, and then mauled to death in a sadistic training method that was not only widespread but widely accepted. Despite intense public backlash and promises from state governments and racing bodies, dogs and other animals are still suffering today for the sake of gambling profits.
The ACT is the first jurisdiction to ban greyhound racing, and the decision has been labelled as "unfair" by the chairman of the Canberra Greyhound Racing Club, Alan Tutt. However, the ban has been welcomed by animal welfare groups and the public, with 82% of Australians wanting to see the industry shut down nationwide, according to a 2016 poll.
Those caught racing greyhounds in the ACT now face a $15,000 fine or jail time. The Canberra Greyhound Racing Club (CGRC) is still active and uses its Symonston track as a training facility, but the club races at Goulburn in New South Wales.
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Live baiting scandal in NSW
The Australian greyhound racing live-baiting scandal involved the exposure of live baiting of racing greyhounds in at least three Australian states: Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. On 16 February 2015, the Australian television program Four Corners revealed footage of live piglets, possums, and rabbits being used to train racing greyhounds over several years. The animals were tied to mechanical lures, flung around racetracks, and mauled to death. This practice was not only widespread but also widely accepted, despite self-regulatory efforts to address it.
The revelation caused widespread condemnation and led to suspensions and inquiries. The RSPCA revealed "hearsay" of similar practices in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. The scandal resulted in the dismissal of the Greyhound Racing NSW board and the resignation of the chairman of Greyhound Racing Victoria. Several trainers were stood down and handed life bans across the country.
In New South Wales, the fallout from the scandal led to the establishment of the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC) to separate the regulatory, welfare, and integrity aspects of greyhound racing from its business, commercial, and marketing responsibilities. 13 trainers were investigated, and 6 were suspended. Tom Noble, on whose racetrack the live baiting took place, pleaded guilty to 15 counts of serious animal cruelty and received a wholly suspended sentence.
The scandal resulted in the banning of greyhound racing in New South Wales from July 2016, with the ban coming into effect on 1 July 2017. However, the ban was reversed on 11 October 2016, with conditions. The NSW Greyhound Reform Panel made 122 recommendations to the NSW government, of which 121 were adopted.
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Greyhound exports to China
Greyhound racing in Australia has been under scrutiny following revelations of cruelty, including live baiting, the export of dogs to China's illegal gambling industry, and the unreported deaths of thousands of unwanted dogs and puppies. In 2015, investigations by Animals Australia and Animal Liberation Queensland exposed the widespread use of "live baiting" in the industry, where terrified piglets, rabbits, and possums were tied to lures and flung around racetracks to train greyhounds. Despite public backlash and promises from state governments, the exploitation of greyhounds in Australia continues.
The issue of greyhound exports to China is a significant concern. While China has a legal greyhound racing industry, it also has a substantial illegal racing sector fueled by the import of Australian greyhounds. In 2013, it was revealed that Australian greyhounds were being exported to Macau, China, a practice that was banned that year. However, loopholes in Australia's regulations have allowed this trade to persist. Australian greyhounds are highly valued in China, with some dogs being purchased for up to $220,000 each. Wealthy Chinese buyers hire agents to identify, purchase, and transport these dogs, exploiting loopholes by sending them to third countries before reaching China.
The fate of these exported greyhounds in China is often grim. China has zero animal welfare laws, and greyhounds are subjected to extreme cruelty. They are used for illegal racing and breeding, and their offspring are bet on by wealthy Chinese owners, despite gambling being prohibited in the country. The dogs are also at risk of ending up in live animal markets, where they are boiled alive for human consumption. This was brought to light during the COVID-19 pandemic, when dog meat lorries were seen arriving at Chinese markets.
The issue of greyhound exports to China has gained media attention, with investigations by ABC News and organizations like Kent Greyhound Rescue and CAGED Nationwide exposing the harsh reality these dogs face. In 2016, a New South Wales Special Commission of Inquiry called for greater federal government oversight and control of exports to China. A Senate inquiry is considering whether a federal government ban on all greyhound exports is necessary. While some Australian states have banned greyhound racing, the ongoing export of greyhounds to China highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent further exploitation and cruelty.
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Greyhound rehoming and adoption
Greyhound racing in Australia has been under scrutiny for its cruel practices, including live baiting and the export of dogs to illegal gambling industries in China. While the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) banned greyhound racing in 2018, the practice continues in other states. Greyhound rehoming and adoption efforts are crucial in ensuring the welfare of these dogs.
The Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) is another initiative operating in most Australian states. GAP, coordinated by Greyhound Racing NSW, aims to match greyhounds with suitable families and provide comprehensive support throughout the adoption process. They recognize the unique personalities of retired greyhounds and strive to find loving homes for these gentle dogs.
Friends of the Hound is another adoption group working to find forever homes for greyhounds in need. These organizations showcase the greyhounds' personalities and help families find the perfect match. For example, Blue is a high-energy male greyhound who loves playing fetch and being around other animals, while Flyer is a cuddly and playful boy who enjoys toys and outdoor activities.
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Animal welfare and integrity
In 2015, investigations by Animals Australia and Animal Liberation Queensland exposed the widespread practice of "live baiting," where terrified piglets, rabbits, and possums were used as bait to train greyhounds, leading to public outrage and calls for reform. Despite promises from industry and state governments, similar incidents have continued to plague the industry.
The high death rate and under-reporting of greyhound deaths and injuries are also concerning. In 2016, a special commission of inquiry in New South Wales found evidence of systemic animal cruelty, including mass greyhound killings and euthanasia of uncompetitive greyhounds. This led to a short-lived ban on greyhound racing in the state, which was later overturned.
The export of Australian greyhounds to illegal gambling industries in China and Macau has also raised serious welfare concerns. In 2016, 179 trainers were charged with illegal exports, leading to Qantas refusing to transport ex-racers. Additionally, the industry has faced criticism for its failure to rehome all ex-racing greyhounds adequately, with adoption hampered by outdated beliefs about muzzling pet greyhounds.
While some states have implemented measures to improve welfare and integrity, such as the establishment of the NSW Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC), the lack of independent regulators in several states remains a concern. Without independent oversight, the treatment, handling, and breeding of racing greyhounds may go unchecked, potentially leading to further incidents of cruelty and exploitation.
As a result of these ongoing welfare concerns, the ACT banned greyhound racing outright in 2018, and welfare advocates hope that other states will follow suit in the coming years. However, as of 2024, greyhound racing continues to be legal in most parts of Australia, with the industry vowing to improve its practices.
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Frequently asked questions
No, greyhound racing is not banned across Australia. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) banned the industry outright in 2018, but there are no formal calls to ban greyhound racing anywhere else in Australia.
Greyhound racing is a multi-billion-dollar industry in Australia. Although the sport has faced public scrutiny and criticism for animal cruelty, the industry is yet to be banned across the country.
Investigations have exposed the preventable deaths of as many as 17,000 young dogs a year, with some dogs being over-raced and euthanised without cause. There have also been reports of live baiting, where terrified piglets, rabbits, and possums are tied to lures, flung around racetracks, and mauled to death.
There have been some efforts to improve animal welfare in the industry. In 2015, the Australian Veterinary Association stated that all greyhounds bred for racing should be registered with an independent authority to track their lifetime movements. There are also industry programs and non-industry rescue groups that work to rehome retired greyhounds.
