Lexi Webster
Greyhound racing is currently not banned in Western Australia, although there have been calls for a ban across Australia due to concerns about animal cruelty and welfare. In 2015, investigations revealed the widespread use of 'live baiting' in the industry, with native possums, piglets, and rabbits being tied to lures and flung around racetracks. This led to a ban in New South Wales in 2016, which was later overturned, and in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in 2018. With increased public scrutiny and welfare advocacy, there is a push for other states to follow suit and ban greyhound racing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Greyhound racing banned in Western Australia | No |
| Greyhound racing regulator in Western Australia | Racing and Wagering WA |
| Number of active tracks in Western Australia | 3 |
| First track in Western Australia | Cannington Greyhounds |
| Year first track in Western Australia opened | 1974 |
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What You'll Learn
Animal cruelty and live baiting
Greyhound racing is still legal in Western Australia, despite the practice being banned in the Australian Capital Territory in 2018. The Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association (WAGRA) was established in 1981 under the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association Act. There are currently three active tracks in Western Australia.
Animal cruelty in greyhound racing has been a significant concern for welfare groups and the general public. In 2015, Animals Australia and Animal Liberation Queensland exposed the widespread and entrenched use of live baiting in Australia's greyhound racing industry. Live baiting is the practice of using live animals to train greyhounds, causing them significant pain, fear, injury, and distress. This practice has been illegal in all Australian states and territories, yet it has continued to occur in the industry.
In February 2015, the ABC program Four Corners revealed the use of live piglets, possums, and rabbits as bait animals in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. This exposure led to widespread condemnation, suspensions, and inquiries, and the banning of greyhound racing in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory for a period. Despite these consequences, live baiting and animal cruelty in greyhound racing have persisted.
In addition to live baiting, other forms of animal cruelty have been reported in the greyhound racing industry. A 2023 inquiry in South Australia found extreme and entrenched animal welfare issues, including overbreeding, substandard living conditions, and high levels of distress in dogs. A parliamentary inquiry in Western Australia in the same year revealed a 155% rise in on-track greyhound deaths between 2022 and 2023, indicating a failure to address welfare concerns effectively.
The greyhound racing industry has faced ongoing public scrutiny due to animal cruelty, live baiting, illegal exports, and unreported deaths. Despite some efforts to address these issues, such as increased penalties and surveillance, the industry continues to face criticism and calls for reform to protect the welfare of greyhounds and other animals involved.
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Greyhound racing bodies in Western Australia
Greyhound racing remains legal in Western Australia, despite being banned in the Australian Capital Territory in 2018. Each Australian state and territory has a greyhound racing body that regulates the racing, training, and animal welfare of greyhounds.
The Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association (WAGRA) is the regulatory body for greyhound racing in Western Australia. WAGRA was established in 1981 under the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association Act. It currently manages three tracks in Western Australia, with the first track established in 1974 at Cannington, the second in 1979 at Mandurah, and the third in 1996 at Northam. These three tracks offer six race meetings and trial opportunities four to five times per week. Greyhound racing in Western Australia is controlled by Racing and Wagering Western Australia, also known as Greyhounds Western Australia (GWA).
WAGRA imposes several rules and procedures that must be followed before a greyhound can race. For instance, a greyhound cannot race until it reaches 16 months of age, and it must qualify for racing by meeting certain time standards.
The most prestigious event on the racing calendar in Western Australia is the SKY Racing Perth Cup. The financial rewards for participants in Western Australia can be substantial, with stakemoney exceeding $10 million. In 2024, the Group 1 SKY Racing Galaxy event provided over $225,000 in stakemoney, with $150,000 going to the winner alone.
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History of greyhound racing in Western Australia
Greyhound racing has a long history in Western Australia, with the sport undergoing numerous changes over the years. The first metropolitan racing track in Western Australia was established by the Canning Greyhound Racing Association in 1973, with the venue's first race meeting taking place in December 1974. This inaugural event attracted over 15,000 spectators and generated significant revenue, highlighting the popularity of greyhound racing in the state.
In 1981, the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association (WAGRA) was established under the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association Act. WAGRA took over the assets and liabilities of the Canning Greyhound Racing Association, with its first track, Cannington Greyhounds, opening in 1974. WAGRA also absorbed the Mandurah Greyhound Racing Association, which had previously operated independently.
Over the years, WAGRA has played a significant role in the development of greyhound racing in Western Australia. In 1995, the association approved the establishment of another greyhound racing track in the Avon Valley, initially intended for trialling and training purposes. This venue hosted its first race meeting in September 1996, further expanding the sport's presence in the state.
However, greyhound racing in Australia has also faced scrutiny and controversy. In 2015, media reports exposed the use of live bait animals in the training of racing greyhounds, leading to widespread concern over animal welfare. This resulted in suspensions, inquiries, and the banning of greyhound racing in certain states, such as New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), in 2016. While the ban in New South Wales was later overturned, it brought attention to the industry's practices and prompted calls for reform.
Currently, greyhound racing in Western Australia is regulated by Racing and Wagering WA, which oversees both the commercial and regulatory aspects of the sport. There are three active tracks in the state, and WAGRA continues to play a key role in governing the sport, contributing to the running and monitoring of greyhound racing and animal welfare.
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Efforts to ban greyhound racing in Western Australia
Greyhound racing is currently not banned in Western Australia. However, there have been efforts and advocacy to ban the practice in the state due to concerns over animal welfare and industry integrity.
In Western Australia, the regulation of greyhound racing falls under the purview of Racing and Wagering WA, which serves as both the commercial operator and regulator. The state has an established greyhound racing association, known as the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association (WAGRA), which was formed in 1981 under the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association Act. Cannington Greyhounds, which opened in 1974, was the first track in Western Australia to come under the WAGRA.
Despite the lack of a formal ban on greyhound racing in Western Australia, the state has not been immune to the controversies and scandals that have plagued the industry nationwide. In 2015, explosive investigations by Animals Australia and Animal Liberation Queensland revealed the widespread and entrenched practice of "live baiting" in the industry. This involved tying terrified piglets, rabbits, and native possums to lures, flinging them around racetracks, and then allowing greyhounds to maul them to death as a training method. This sparked intense public backlash and led to promises from state governments and racing bodies to address these issues.
In the same year, the Australian Veterinary Association recommended that all greyhounds bred for racing should be registered with an independent authority to ensure traceability throughout their lives. This recommendation aimed to enhance the accountability and welfare of racing greyhounds.
While Western Australia has not implemented a ban on greyhound racing, other Australian states and territories have taken more decisive actions. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) banned greyhound racing in 2018, and New South Wales (NSW) also briefly imposed a ban in 2016 following the live baiting scandal. However, the NSW ban was repealed a few months after its passage, highlighting the complex nature of regulating the greyhound racing industry.
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Animal welfare and advocacy groups in Western Australia
Greyhound racing remains legal in Western Australia, despite being banned in the Australian Capital Territory in 2018 and attempts to ban it in New South Wales in 2016. The Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association (WAGRA), established in 1981, is the state's governing body for the sport. However, there is currently no independent regulator for greyhound racing in Western Australia; instead, the commercial operator and regulator is Racing and Wagering WA.
- RSPCA Australia: The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity that provides care and protection services for animals across the country. They aim to make evidence-based research accessible to the community to guide their decisions regarding animal welfare. They also advocate for animal welfare improvements and enforce state and territory animal welfare legislation through their inspectorate functions.
- Australian Pet Welfare Foundation (APWF): The APWF focuses on evidence-based approaches to protect the wellbeing of animals, humans, and the environment. They work to end the euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals by implementing strategies to reduce the number of pets entering pounds and shelters.
- Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds: This group is a registered charity dedicated to the protection of greyhounds. They advocate for the regulation of greyhound racing and contribute to the running and monitoring of the sport in Australia.
- Farm Transparency Project: This Australian animal protection charity aims to force transparency and provide information to consumers and animal advocates. They also highlight the scope and magnitude of widespread concerns regarding animal welfare and industry integrity.
These organisations work tirelessly to improve animal welfare standards and protect the rights of animals in Western Australia and beyond. They play a vital role in educating the public, influencing policy changes, and providing care and protection to animals in need.
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Frequently asked questions
No, greyhound racing is not banned in Western Australia. There are three active tracks in the state. However, there have been widespread concerns about animal welfare and industry integrity.
A: Yes, the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association (WAGRA) was established in 1981. However, there is no independent regulator for greyhound racing in Western Australia. The commercial operator and regulator is Racing and Wagering WA.
Greyhound racing has been banned in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) since 2018. In 2016, New South Wales (NSW) declared a ban following a statewide inquiry, but this was overturned shortly after.
