The dog Inspection (far left, in green) clashed with another dog after crossing the finish line and was put down. Photo: GRNSW race video.
Animal rights advocates have called for the planned closure of the Wagga greyhound track to be brought forward, after a second dog was killed on the track in the space of 10 days.
On Friday (August 28), two-year-old Inspection collided with another dog after Race 8 and fell badly.
According to the stewards’ report, a vet examined Inspection and found a compound fracture to the near-side radius and ulna and a fractured off-side humerus.
Because of the severity of the injuries, the vet euthanised Inspection.
Just 10 days earlier, another two-year-old, Tiggerlong Socks, also collided with another dog on the Wagga track and was euthanised after suffering compound fractures to both front legs.
Wagga’s greyhound track is scheduled to close from 2027 as part of a broader NSW industry restructure, with Greyhound Racing NSW planning to reduce the number of tracks and concentrate racing at fewer, upgraded venues to protect the sport’s viability.
But NSW Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds director Kylie Field wants it shut immediately.
“Two young greyhounds have died from compound fractures in 10 days. The agony of having bones protrude through the skin is unimaginable,” she said.
“The closure of the Wagga track must be brought forward. There’s no need for dogs to race and die on this unsafe track. Why is racing allowed to continue on a track that doesn’t meet minimum safety standards?
“Across Australia and New Zealand, greyhound tracks are being returned to their local communities and the same must occur at Wagga.”
Wagga Wagga Greyhound Club has been operating for 98 years but racing will end in 2027. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Animal rights advocate and former journalist Susan Metcalfe posted on Twitter that the incident was further evidence of unsafe NSW tracks and the serious risks faced by greyhounds when running on them.
“You can hear him screaming, clearly in extreme pain and distress, as the commentator just keeps talking as if nothing is happening, while this poor greyhound’s suffering goes on and on [it’s]… further important evidence of a pattern of abuse and suffering inflicted on greyhounds in NSW on a daily basis – how much more does anyone need?” she posted.
When Tiggerlong Socks died, Greyhound Racing NSW said it was the first on-track euthanasia at Wagga in 22 months, describing the record as evidence of its commitment to improving animal safety.
GRNSW continues to reject claims its tracks are unsafe.
“The stewards report clearly states the track was in good condition,” a GRNSW spokesperson said.
“The NSW Race Injury Review Panel will look into the [Inspection] incident as they do with all matters such as this one and the panel will, as always, fully investigate the incident.”
The spokesperson said the incident did not undermine the industry’s claim that it was “delivering the highest welfare for its canine athletes”.
“It is absolutely an unfortunate racing incident and the facts still show that these incidents have become increasingly rare in our sport since we have worked tirelessly on our safety measures. These incidents have fallen 93 per cent since 2017-18,” the spokesperson said.
