Fast facts on the greyhound racing industry

Australia is one of only seven remaining jurisdictions in the world that still allows greyhound racing to happen, but it is by far the biggest commercially.

There are still 58 active greyhound tracks in Australia, yet the industry is in crisis, with cruelty regularly exposed across the country eroding its social license more each day.

Fact 1: According to the industry, almost 5000 greyhound puppies were born in 2021/22. But not every dog can be broken in, and is therefore not suited to racing.

Fact 2: In Victoria, racing greyhounds are considered agricultural animals, or ‘livestock’ under the law – therefore they do not have the same protections or standards as living as domestic greyhounds, or other dogs considered pets. 

Fact 3: It is legal under Victoria’s Code of Practice for the keeping of Racing Greyhounds to keep a greyhound in a three metre squared cage for 23 hours per day.

Fact 4: Oversight of the welfare of racing greyhounds in Victoria is the responsibility of the industry itself, not the RSPCA.

Fact 5: So far this year 89 greyhounds have been killed on Australian racetracks, and 8596 injured on Australian racetracks (as at October 1st). 

Fact 6: Currently there is no law that prohibits the export of greyhounds overseas, including to countries where greyhound racing is banned.

Fact 7: On the track greyhounds are at significant risk of sustaining serious injuries, such as broken legs, broken spines or head trauma, during training and racing. Owners and trainers in Australia can legally over-race greyhounds placing dogs at further risk of serious injuries, including fatal heart attacks. Some die immediately from their injuries, others are put to sleep by vets. Some are sent home injured.

Fact 8: Australian greyhounds are currently being used for racing in an illegal greyhound racing ring in China, after being exported against the industry’s own rules. Many of these dogs are sent undesexed and forced to breed for years - further increasing the illegal racing ring.

Fact 9: The industry has no cap on breeding – currently breeding almost five times as many dogs as it has the capacity to rehome. This outdated and unsustainable industry has created a rehoming crisis.

Fact 10: The greyhound and racing industry in Australia is heavily funded by the taxpayer, even though the majority want this barbaric and outdated activity ended (see just how much is wasted across Australia via the Coalition for Protection for Greyhounds money map).

So where do they all go?
Who will save them?

It’s volunteer community groups like Greyt Greys and Amazing Greys cleaning up the racing industry’s mess. But they are full, because there are simply not enough homes for dogs.

Think this is unacceptable? Help demand an inquiry into the Victorian racing industry.