Study Reveals Greyhound Racing Welfare Gaps Across Australian States

Greyhound racing in Australia has long been a contentious issue, with concerns over animal welfare at the forefront. To shed light on this, a study conducted by researchers from the School of Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland analyzed data from regulatory racing agencies in Australia. The aim was to assess the morbidity and mortality rates associated with greyhound racing events, training practices, and the overall welfare of racing dogs.

The study focused on data from three key states in Australia: New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. The analysis involved reviewing publicly available reports, including stewards’ reports, quarterly reports, and annual reports, spanning a period of six years. The researchers sought to benchmark the rates of injuries, fatalities, and other health-related incidents to evaluate the industry’s adherence to animal welfare standards.

Historically, the greyhound racing industry in Australia has faced criticism, particularly following a 2015 exposé that revealed inhumane training practices known as “live-baiting.” This led to increased scrutiny and calls for improved animal welfare standards within the industry. Subsequent official inquiries and reports, such as the MacSporran Report in Queensland and the McHugh Report in New South Wales, highlighted the need for better regulation and monitoring of greyhound racing activities.

The findings of the study revealed variations in reporting practices across the three states. While all states published stewards’ reports, the availability and content of quarterly and annual reports differed. For instance, Queensland’s reports provided minimal information on greyhound injuries and fatalities compared to New South Wales and Victoria. Quarterly reports, in particular, offered valuable insights such as injury rates standardized per thousand starts, allowing for trend analysis and comparisons.

One notable recommendation from the study was the need for standardized reporting practices and harmonization of data across states. This would ensure transparency, consistency, and reliability in reporting key metrics related to greyhound welfare. Additionally, the researchers highlighted the importance of whole-of-life tracking for racing greyhounds to capture data beyond their racing careers, including post-retirement outcomes and euthanasia rates.

The study also underscored the significance of public access to raw data and databases used in generating industry reports. Greater transparency and independent evaluation of industry data could help improve accountability and monitoring of animal welfare practices within the greyhound racing sector. Overall, the researchers emphasized the need for ongoing efforts to enhance reporting standards, data accessibility, and industry transparency to safeguard the welfare of racing dogs in Australia.