Second racing dog dies in one week

ANOTHER greyhound has died at the Hobart Greyhound Racing Club, the second death in one week and the club’s fourth this year.

Magical Max ran his final race on September 2, crossing the finish line last with a fractured ankle in his right hind leg. He was euthanised on the spot.

Magical Max’s death comes one week after the death of Action Plus, who collapsed after his race and died where he lay in his pen.

Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds president Dennis Anderson said this was more evidence of an inherently “cruel” industry.

“Greyhounds are dying regularly and the Tasmanian Office of Racing Industry is in crisis. The deaths of two young Tasmanian greyhounds in a week is a true reflection of the cruelty of dog racing,” Mr Anderson said.

“Dog racing has no place in a civilised society. New Zealand has put greyhound racing on notice, and the Northern Territory has just done a damning report on the industry.

“How can the Tasmanian government keep supporting this animal cruelty?”

Let Greyhounds Run Free activist Fran Chambers (pictured) said she was gutted at the news of another young racing dog killed in action.

“Magical Max was barely more than a pup, but died as another victim of this cruel industry,” she said.

A TasRacing spokesperson said they were continually working at improving track surfaces in order to reduce the number of incidents.

“Two greyhounds have been euthanised by a veterinary surgeon at Elwick since July 1. Last financial year there were seven at all tracks,” the spokesperson said.