Leslie Massey
Greyhound racing in Australia has been the subject of much controversy in recent years, with animal welfare concerns and advocacy efforts leading to increased scrutiny of the industry. While commercial greyhound racing is legal in Australia, it is banned in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and there are ongoing discussions and efforts to end the practice in other states. The industry is governed by state governments, with each state and territory having its own greyhound racing body that regulates racing, training, and animal welfare. However, the lack of independent regulators in some states has led to concerns over accountability and the treatment of racing animals. With public opinion shifting towards ending dog racing, the future of greyhound racing in Australia remains uncertain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Greyhound racing legality in Australia | Legal in all states except the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) |
| Number of countries with legalised commercial greyhound racing | 7, including Australia |
| Australian states with independent regulators | NSW, Queensland, Tasmania |
| Australian states without independent regulators | Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory |
| Greyhound racing bodies in Australia | Greyhound Racing NSW, Greyhound Racing Victoria, Queensland Greyhound Racing Authority, Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association, Tasracing, Greyhound Racing South Australia, Northern Territory Racing Authority |
| Number of greyhounds bred in NSW in the past 12 years | 98,000 |
| Number of greyhounds registered in NSW | 6,800 |
| Estimated percentage of racing greyhounds that are injured | 20% |
| Estimated percentage of trainers using live baiting | 10-20% |
| Number of greyhounds bred to race in 2023 | 10,178 |
| Number of breeding kennels | 271 |
| Percentage of Australians supporting an end to dog racing | 57% |
| Greyhound gambling turnover in 2022 | A$8.9 billion |
| Greyhound gambling turnover in 2023 | A$8.3 billion |
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What You'll Learn
Greyhound racing is banned in the ACT and New South Wales
Greyhound racing is currently banned in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and has been since 2018. The ban was a significant victory for animal welfare advocates, as the industry has been criticised for its inhumane treatment of dogs. The ACT's decision to prohibit greyhound racing has prompted calls for other Australian states to follow suit and put an end to this form of entertainment that has been deemed cruel and unnecessary.
In New South Wales (NSW), the situation is a bit more complex. While there was a brief ban on greyhound racing in 2016 and 2017, it was ultimately repealed, and the industry continues to operate in the state. NSW has two separate bodies responsible for controlling and regulating greyhound racing: Greyhound Racing NSW and the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC), both established under the Greyhound Racing Act of 2017. These organisations aim to promote the sport while also addressing animal welfare concerns.
The NSW government has faced scrutiny and conducted inquiries into the industry following reports of extreme animal welfare issues. A report by the outgoing Chief Veterinary Officer for Greyhound Racing NSW detailed various inhumane practices, including pushing dogs to race at a dangerous rate, leading to increased injuries, and the overbreeding of dogs, resulting in thousands of greyhounds being discarded. Despite these concerning findings, the state's Premier committed to continuing support for the industry.
The ACT and NSW situations highlight the ongoing debate and conflicting interests surrounding greyhound racing in Australia. While some advocate for the sport's economic benefits and tradition, others prioritise animal welfare and ethical concerns, pushing for an end to greyhound racing altogether. The differing approaches in the ACT and NSW reflect the complexities of this issue and the varying levels of tolerance for an industry that is perceived as cruel by a significant portion of the population.
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Greyhound racing is regulated by state governments
Greyhound racing in Australia is governed by state governments, with each state and territory having its own greyhound racing body. These bodies regulate the racing, training, and animal welfare of greyhounds within their jurisdiction. However, it's important to note that the keeping of greyhounds is governed by local authorities.
In New South Wales (NSW), Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) is responsible for regulating the industry, and the state was set to become the first in Australia to ban greyhound racing after an inquiry found evidence of systemic animal cruelty, including live baiting and mass killings. The NSW Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC) is now in charge of controlling and regulating greyhound racing in the state.
Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) is the statutory body responsible for promoting and regulating the sport in Victoria, the state with the world's richest greyhound race, The Phoenix, with a total prize pool of $1.65 million. However, Victoria also has the highest number of breeding kennels in the country.
In Queensland, the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission monitors racing and animal welfare, while in Tasmania, the Office of Racing Integrity oversees greyhound racing alongside thoroughbred and harness racing codes. The Northern Territory (NT) does not have an independent regulator, and greyhound racing is regulated by Licensing NT on behalf of the NT Racing Commission.
While greyhound racing was banned in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in 2018, it is still legal in other states and territories, with varying levels of regulation and enforcement of animal welfare standards.
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The industry is scrutinised for animal cruelty
Greyhound racing in Australia has been scrutinised for animal cruelty. In 2015, ABC News reported that some greyhounds were given to veterinary surgeons as blood donors and then euthanised. The same year, an internal report by Greyhounds Australasia revealed that the industry was responsible for the deaths of 13,000 to 17,000 healthy greyhounds annually. This figure includes both unwanted puppies and retired racers.
In 2016, the industry came under severe scrutiny following the airing of the ABC program *Four Corners*, which exposed the use of live bait animals in the training of racing greyhounds. This practice, known as 'live baiting' or 'blooding', is a criminal offence in New South Wales. The program showed racing greyhounds being enticed to chase, maul and kill live animals such as rabbits, in an effort to make them more aggressive racers. The commission heard evidence from several witnesses who had used live baiting to train greyhounds themselves and had seen others do it. Several of them estimated that up to 90% of trainers used live rabbits to train greyhounds.
In response to the scandal, the New South Wales government set up a special commission of inquiry, which found "overwhelming evidence of systemic animal cruelty, including mass greyhound killings and live baiting". The report concluded that at least 50% of New South Wales greyhound puppies were deliberately killed because they were not fast enough. It also found a high death rate among uncompetitive greyhounds, with many being euthanised, and the under-reporting of greyhound deaths and injuries. As a result of the inquiry, Greyhound racing was banned in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory from 1 July 2017.
Despite the ban in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, animal cruelty in the greyhound racing industry continues to be an issue in other parts of Australia. In Victoria, for example, there is no independent regulator for greyhound racing. Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) is the statutory body responsible for promoting and controlling the sport, as well as regulating it. This lack of independent regulation means that the treatment, handling and breeding of racing animals go largely unchecked.
The industry is also criticised for its failure to rehome retired greyhounds effectively. While there are industry programs and non-industry rescue groups that facilitate greyhound adoption, the demand for adoption far outstrips the supply. This is partly due to the fact that the industry breeds far more greyhounds than it has the capacity to home.
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Greyhound racing is a gambling activity
Greyhound racing in Australia is a sport and gambling activity. It is one of only seven countries with a legalised commercial greyhound racing industry, with the others being the United Kingdom, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, Vietnam, the United States of America and Mexico. In Australia, the industry laws are governed by the State Government, while the keeping of greyhounds is governed by the Local Authority. Each Australian state and territory has a greyhound racing body that regulates the racing, training and animal welfare of greyhounds in that state or territory.
Greyhound racing is a lucrative industry in Australia, with total wagering or "turnover" rising from A$5 billion in 2018 to over A$8.9 billion in 2022. However, the industry has come under scrutiny for its treatment of animals, with reports of mass slaughter of unwanted and surplus greyhounds, referred to as "wastage". A 2015 report revealed that the industry was responsible for the deaths of 13,000 to 17,000 healthy greyhounds each year, with similar figures reported in 2023.
In response to these concerns, some states in Australia have taken steps to regulate the industry and improve animal welfare conditions. For example, the NSW Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC) is responsible for controlling and regulating greyhound racing in NSW, while the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission monitors racing and animal welfare in Queensland. Despite these efforts, there are still issues with the lack of independent regulators in some states, leading to low accountability and inadequate treatment, handling and breeding practices.
In 2015, a scandal involving the use of live bait animals in the training of racing greyhounds led to further scrutiny of the industry. This resulted in suspensions, inquiries and the banning of greyhound racing in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) from 2017 onwards. The ACT banned the industry outright in 2018, becoming the first Australian state to do so, and there are ongoing calls for other states to follow suit.
While greyhound racing continues to be legal in most of Australia, there is growing public support for an end to the industry, with 57% of Australians in favour of a ban. With increased scrutiny and concerns for animal welfare, it remains to be seen whether other states will follow the ACT's lead and ban greyhound racing in the future.
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There are adoption programs for greyhounds in Australia
Greyhound racing is a controversial topic in Australia, with some states banning the practice due to welfare concerns and others still allowing it. While the debate continues, there are adoption programs in place to help find homes for retired greyhounds and those no longer wanted by the racing industry. These programs aim to transition greyhounds from racing to pet life, ensuring they receive suitable care and attention.
The Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland offers a fully funded service dedicated to finding forever homes for retired greyhounds. The program is part of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, which oversees integrity and animal welfare in the racing industry. Each greyhound in the program undergoes a health check, behavioural assessment, and necessary treatments before being matched with a family.
The adoption process involves considering the unique personalities and preferences of each greyhound. Some greyhounds enjoy a more active lifestyle, while others prefer lounging around the house. Most are gentle, affectionate, and family-friendly, and they are not known for excessive barking. The adoption program helps prepare these dogs for retirement and find loving homes where they can spend their golden years.
Adopting a greyhound as a pet comes with practical benefits and rewards. These dogs are typically low-maintenance and make loyal companions. Some may be initially shy but quickly warm up to their new families. The adoption programs help match greyhounds with the right families, considering factors such as the presence of children, other pets, and the activity level of the household.
With public scrutiny and welfare concerns surrounding greyhound racing, adoption programs play a crucial role in providing second chances for these gentle dogs. By offering them comfortable retirement and loving homes, these programs contribute to improving the welfare standards for greyhounds in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
No, greyhound racing is not illegal in Australia. However, the ACT banned the industry in 2018, and New South Wales also banned it in 2016.
There are concerns about animal cruelty and the low rate of rehoming for greyhounds. Greyhound racing has been associated with mass killings and live baiting, and it is estimated that thousands of healthy greyhounds are euthanised each year.
There have been calls for increased independent regulation of the industry to ensure animal welfare conditions are met and monitored. The Australian Veterinary Association has also recommended that all greyhounds bred for racing be registered with an independent authority to track their lifetime movements.
Greyhound racing is a significant gambling activity in Australia, with total wagering of A$8.3 billion in 2023. Victoria holds the world's richest greyhound race, The Phoenix, with a total prize pool of $1.65 million.
