Cannington greyhound 'carnage' prompts calls to phase out
/ By Paula Morris
Cannington greyhound 'carnage' prompts calls to phase out
/ By Paula Morris
Pressure to shut down greyhound racing has escalated after a night described as “carnage” at a suburban Perth venue, where four dogs were injured and two were euthanased.
Racing at the Cannington greyhound track was halted on Wednesday night after the seventh of 12 scheduled events, following injuries to four dogs, according to Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA).
Canning Mayor Patrick Hall urged the state government to heed public sentiment and set a date to transition Western Australia away from greyhound racing.
Track branded Australia’s ‘most deadly’ for greyhounds
Speaking to ABC Radio Perth, Hall said the scene on Wednesday amounted to “absolute carnage,” noting it occurred on a fine evening and a dry track.
He said he took no pride in Cannington being, in his words, the most deadly greyhound track in the country, and stressed that it sits within the City of Canning.
Hall added that authorities needed to draw a line, step up, and meet the expectations of the local community.
RWWA declined an interview and, in a statement, said track-side veterinarians and racing stewards acted to ensure all injured greyhounds received appropriate care and attention following the incidents.
A spokesperson said Racing WA is conducting a comprehensive review of what occurred and assessing all available data before any further racing or trialling resumes at Cannington.
The organisation expressed sympathy to those connected to the affected greyhounds and said the care, safety and welfare of racing animals remains a priority.
The spokesperson also reiterated that the welfare of all racing animals is Racing WA’s highest priority.
Cannington was temporarily closed in 2024 for maintenance and a safety upgrade, which reportedly cost RWWA $3 million.
According to data compiled by the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds, 119 greyhounds died on Australian tracks last year.
The Coalition identified Cannington and Mandurah in WA as the most deadly tracks, with 10 deaths recorded at each venue.
Parliamentary inquiry underway
A parliamentary inquiry, prompted by a petition with more than 26,000 signatures calling for the industry to be phased out, is in progress.
Mel Harrison, president of advocacy group Free The Hounds, said Australia has more greyhound racetracks than the rest of the world combined, and has long advocated for the sport to be stopped.
She told ABC Radio Perth she wished it were the first time something like this had happened, but said it was not.
Harrison argued it was disingenuous for the industry and its supporters to claim they care about greyhound welfare.
If supporters accept that dogs die for the sport, she said, they should stop hiding behind welfare rhetoric while asserting they care about the animals.
She also called for greater transparency and independent oversight across the industry.
Racing at the Cannington greyhound track was halted on Wednesday night after the seventh of 12 scheduled events, following injuries to four dogs, according to Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA).
Canning Mayor Patrick Hall urged the state government to heed public sentiment and set a date to transition Western Australia away from greyhound racing.
Track branded Australia’s ‘most deadly’ for greyhounds
Speaking to ABC Radio Perth, Hall said the scene on Wednesday amounted to “absolute carnage,” noting it occurred on a fine evening and a dry track.
He said he took no pride in Cannington being, in his words, the most deadly greyhound track in the country, and stressed that it sits within the City of Canning.
Hall added that authorities needed to draw a line, step up, and meet the expectations of the local community.
RWWA declined an interview and, in a statement, said track-side veterinarians and racing stewards acted to ensure all injured greyhounds received appropriate care and attention following the incidents.
A spokesperson said Racing WA is conducting a comprehensive review of what occurred and assessing all available data before any further racing or trialling resumes at Cannington.
The organisation expressed sympathy to those connected to the affected greyhounds and said the care, safety and welfare of racing animals remains a priority.
The spokesperson also reiterated that the welfare of all racing animals is Racing WA’s highest priority.
Cannington was temporarily closed in 2024 for maintenance and a safety upgrade, which reportedly cost RWWA $3 million.
According to data compiled by the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds, 119 greyhounds died on Australian tracks last year.
The Coalition identified Cannington and Mandurah in WA as the most deadly tracks, with 10 deaths recorded at each venue.
Parliamentary inquiry underway
A parliamentary inquiry, prompted by a petition with more than 26,000 signatures calling for the industry to be phased out, is in progress.
Mel Harrison, president of advocacy group Free The Hounds, said Australia has more greyhound racetracks than the rest of the world combined, and has long advocated for the sport to be stopped.
She told ABC Radio Perth she wished it were the first time something like this had happened, but said it was not.
Harrison argued it was disingenuous for the industry and its supporters to claim they care about greyhound welfare.
If supporters accept that dogs die for the sport, she said, they should stop hiding behind welfare rhetoric while asserting they care about the animals.
She also called for greater transparency and independent oversight across the industry.