Australian Greyhound Racing under Scrutiny Following Vet’s Report

Greyhound Racing New South Wales (GRNSW) has been accused of mistreating animals, leaving them in terrible conditions. According to Alex Brittan, ex-chief veterinarian of GRNSW, the greyhound racing industry is exploiting the dogs, forcing them to race at barbaric rates and leaving them in tight metal cages once they can no longer compete.

GRNSW, the biggest greyhound racing body in Australia, promised to improve its conditions after finding itself in hot water in 2015. An investigation had suggested that the body could have prevented the deaths of some 17,000 young dogs a year, forcing it to improve its policies.

However, Brittan doesn’t believe that the GRNSW did enough to shield the dogs from harm. Instead, they are still over-exploited and abandoned in metal cages once they burn out. In a 54-page letter, the organization’s former chief veterinarian accused the industry of capitalizing on the same animals it neglects.

Brittan Says Thousand of Dogs Are Sent to Industrial Kennels

As mentioned, Brittan said caged dogs are left in terrible and stressful conditions where their health is utterly neglected. In some cases, he has seen dogs rip off their toenails as they claw at the metal bars.

Unfortunately, out of the 4,200 dogs that enter the industry each year, only 1,600 manage to make it out and find new owners, Brittan said. He pointed out that the rest are sent to what he called “industrial kennels.”

To make matters worse, the life expectancy of dogs is not very rosy either, according to the veterinarian. He cited a case where a dog was set to retire but died at the Sydney airport after confusing its traveling container with a racing starting box and running into a fence. Many dogs, on the other hand, have died during races after colliding with unpadded poles.

Additionally, the GRNSW tends to euthanize dogs without sufficient cause, Brittan claimed, saying that this is because the industry works with inadequate veterinarians who are unwilling to adopt modern practices.

NSW Is Reluctant to Ban Greyhound Racing

NSW Premier Chris Minns has refused to ban racing, saying that he will not shut down the industry in spite of the criticism. However, he promised that the government is take the latest report seriously and investigate the aforementioned issues.

Brittan’s letter questioned the Australian government’s decision to investigate the matter instead of banning greyhound racing. According to the veterinarian, “It could be perceived as concerning that the premier and gaming minister have stated that, irrespective of any findings, all bets are on, and the gambling will continue.”

Brittan is not the first one to criticize greyhound racing. Earlier polls show that Australians are overwhelmingly supportive of a ban, arguing that the races are inhumane.