Dog’s death sparks action call

A SIXTH dog has died after being injured on Launceston’s greyhound racing track this year, sparking a renewed call for “urgent reform” from the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds.

Bronelly Harry was euthanised after fracturing an ankle at the beginning of race eight on Monday, according to a race stewards’ report published on Thursday.

The coalition says Launceston is Tasmania’s deadliest track with 31 injuries recorded this year despite having adopted the “supposedly safer” wide arm lure system to reduce collisions.

CPG president Dennis Anderson said most greyhound racing injuries were treatable.

“But the racing industry will often prefer to euthanise a greyhound than provide the necessary rehabilitation, even if the dog has earned tens of thousands of dollars,” he said.

“The only way to end greyhound suffering is to ban greyhound racing.

“But, until that happens, the industry must reduce on-track deaths and injuries by implementing safer tracks with an emphasis on straight tracks and six-dog races.”

A TasRacing spokesman said the organisation was working with on-track vets to address injuries and deaths “and animal welfare matters more broadly”.

“Last financial year, (the number of) on-track deaths was 13 and the financial year before (had) 18, so we are seeing a downward trend.”

Industry-funded research completed by the University of Technology Sydney in 2017 recommended straight tracks and six-dog races to reduce injuries and deaths.

Devonport’s track has had two deaths this year and Hobart’s has had two, with 139 deaths reported nationwide.

CPG has a five-point plan to reform the racing industry. It includes whole-of-life tracking to account for the dogs that go missing each year, increased penalties, funding for rescues and sanctuaries, a reduction in breeding and upgrades to tracks to improve safety.