Spate of race dog deaths

Ban call after fatal end for five Geelong greyhounds

A FIFTH greyhound has died suddenly or been euthanased at a Corio racing track this year, fuelling calls for the sport to be banned.

But a spokeswoman for the sport’s peak body, Greyhound Racing Victoria, said greyhound deaths had dropped 55 per cent in the past four years.

“Every track death is investigated by GRV to take learnings and help further improve tracks,” the spokesman said.

On Friday, one-year-old greyhound Maniac Martini completed race 2 at the Beckley Centre but died shortly after.

“Following the event, Maniac Martini collapsed in the catching pen. The greyhound was pronounced deceased by the on-track veterinarian. Routine samples were taken and an autopsy will be conducted,” a steward’s report from the meeting reads.

The GRV spokeswoman said the death was unrelated to injury. “Such deaths are rare and autopsies are always performed.”

The death follows others at the Beckley Centre. In January, a dog was euthanased after it fractured a bone in a race collision, and in February, a dog fractured two bones during a race and was put down.

Dogs were also euthanased at the Corio track in April and August.

The GRV spokeswoman said the organisation had invested more than $10m to reduce race injuries and fatalities.

“This includes track redevelopments and upgrades, new lure systems and braking motors, upgraded catching pens, track maintenance, staff training and research into optimum track layouts and surfaces,” she said.

Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG) president Dennis Anderson said greyhound racing was “barbaric and must be banned”.

“How can a dog that isn’t yet two years old collapse and die?” Mr Anderson asked.

“Another greyhound that was 20 months old died of cardiac arrest earlier this year.

“What is the racing industry doing to these dogs? This shouldn’t happen in a civilised society.”

More than 2400 greyhounds have been injured at Victorian tracks this year and nationally 117 racing greyhounds have died, according to CPG.

Geelong-based Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick based said greyhound racing must be outlawed.

“It is appalling that these poor dogs are suffering like this,” said Mr Meddick, an owner of a rescue greyhound.

“You are pushing these poor animals to beyond the limits of endurance.

“I’m gutted every time I hear about the deaths of one of these magnificent animals.”