Wagga Wagga is set to have its greyhound track stripped following a report from GRNSW that suggests cutting the location as an active track. Photo: Wagga Greyhound Club.
Animal rights group Animal Liberation has called out Greyhound Racing NSW for dumping regional track meets, believing it is a move to prepare for the fallout of a state inquiry into the industry conducted by investigator Lea Drake.
The inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) was handed to experienced investigator Lea Drake in July of 2024 to investigate greyhound welfare and the care of greyhounds by GRNSW, including adoption and rehoming programs; GRNSW processes and management, including procurement and recruitment practices; GRNSW reporting and accuracy in relation to greyhounds and GRNSW management’s response to complaints or concerns about organisational and workplace culture and conduct.
The response by Animal Liberation comes following GRNSW’s announcements that it is considering pulling up to 15 regional race tracks to ‘optimise’ its position.
Despite the position held by GRNSW, Animal Liberation has stated the move is less about optimising GRNSW’s future and more about preparing for the fallout from the inquiry’s report that was handed to Racing Minister David Harris MP on 31 July.
“For GRNSW, this is only about their ‘optimal’ profits, the bottom line, and their preparation ahead of the anticipated fallout from the Drake Inquiry report findings and recommendations. They don’t care about rural and regional communities, and they don’t care about greyhound welfare,” regional campaigns manager for Animal Liberation, Lisa Ryan said.
“Under GRNSW’s plans, the current greyhound death tracks will be reduced to 15 before a further reduction to 12. The number “12” was bandied about during testimony at the Drake Inquiry – it’s not new, innovative or surprising.
“The tracks remain virtually empty on race days because the truth is this is now only about a space to force dogs to race for the likes of Ladbrokes and the broadcasters to allow online gambling. This is about big monopolised business and commercial greed.
“Meanwhile, dogs will continue to be forcibly raced, suffering injuries and deaths on those soon-to-be closed tracks that are still holding race meetings. GRNSW, by their own admission, know not a single NSW track meets even ‘minimum’ standards.
“This industry is incapable of reform, and even with a supposed ‘independent’ regulator paid for by the NSW taxpayers, it is a complete failure.
“It’s time to stop supporting what continues to be a gambling-fuelled dog-killing industry that encourages problem gambling. Public money should be going toward public good, not animal and public harm.”
GRNSW responded to the claims made by Ms Ryan, stating that the profits from the optimisation would go into upgrading tracks to provide better animal welfare.
“The optimisation report makes it clear that one of the key objectives of optimisation is to provide the greyhound racing industry with the financial ability to upgrade it racetracks so they are of the highest possible animal welfare,” a GRNSW spokesperson said.
“GRNSW would have thought the NSW Animal Justice Party would be more concerned about improved welfare for greyhounds. However, it is only concerned about closing down greyhound racing altogether and will do and say anything to achieve its agenda.”
While the decision to close the track in Wagga is yet to be confirmed, Member for Wagga Dr Joe McGirr has stated he will continue to work with GRNSW to try to prevent the closure.
“The proposed closure of the Wagga track is disappointing given that Wagga is the state’s largest inland city and has an outstanding sporting pedigree,” Dr McGirr said.
“I have spoken with the GRNSW CEO to obtain additional information and to discuss the issues.
“Animal welfare is extremely important, which is why I have fought for improvements to enhance the care and safety of greyhounds racing in Wagga, and with the right safety and financial sustainability measures in place, there should be no reason for Wagga’s greyhound community to be denied racing in their hometown.
“I note that the final decision will be in the hands of GRNSW and I look forward to working with them to find an alternative to the closure of the Wagga track.”
