Greyhounds

Australia has the largest commercial greyhound industry in the world, by far. We have more greyhound racing tracks than all the other countries in the world combined, and are one of only seven countries in the world where greyhound racing is still legal.

In 2023, nearly 1,000 greyhounds were injured every month on Australian race tracks. During 2023, stewards’ reports showed 120 on-track deaths, but the numbers of greyhounds who die later from their injuries is not published.

Greyhound racing still occurs across Australia, apart from the ACT where it was banned in 2018. Most of Australia’s greyhound racing takes place in the eastern states.

Greyhounds are often given banned substances such as cocaine, amphetamines, and Viagra to make them run faster.  

The Australian greyhound racing industry still allows the export of dogs for commercial racing and breeding. Loopholes in the Australian regulations mean they could reach countries such as China to be exploited in their illegal underground racing industry. In a Senate inquiry in October 2023, Greyhounds Australasia admitted that 464 Australian greyhounds have been exported illegitimately since 2015.

Greyhound racing is scandal-ridden and synonymous with poor animal welfare, so it’s no surprise the majority of Australians have long supported a ban.  

We will continue campaigning until we see an end to the greyhound racing industry which is fraught with animal cruelty and suffering.

Data sources: Thanks to the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds for recording key statistics on the industry.

Image: Animal Welfare Campaigner, Georgie Dolphin with rescue greyhound Tiger.