Screen shot of racing video showing injured dog
A greyhound has been euthanised after colliding with other dogs at Addington Raceway.
Greyhound Gary collided with other dogs and tumbled shortly after reaching the lure, having just crossed the finish line.
In a video, the dog can been seen being trampled by four other dogs, which caused a catastrophic injury to his right front leg.
The dog could be seen limping after the fall and was later euthanised at the track.
SAFE spokesperson Will Appelbe said deaths and injuries like this are unavoidable with greyhound racing.
“It’s disgraceful that dogs have to endure this kind of treatment for the benefit of the racing industry,” said Appelbe
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“The race footage shows several dogs jostling for the lure, which led to the dog’s fall and subsequent injuries. It’s just another example of how greyhound racing is inherently dangerous, which is well documented by two independent reviews of the industry.”
So far, in this racing season alone there have been 7 deaths and over 600 injuries. In 2017, the Hanson report stated that greyhound racing is inherently dangerous, which was repeated in the most recent Robertson review, published in 2021.
Racing Minister Grant Robertson has since given the greyhound racing industry until the end of 2022 to make improvements to transparency, data recording and animal welfare, or risk closure.
“No amount of fluffy PR from Greyhound Racing New Zealand can change the fact that they are putting dogs at risk every day.”
“Until the Government implements a total ban on greyhound racing, these dogs will continue to suffer.”
On the Greyhound New Zealand website, it said “fell at lure and was trampled by trailing runners causing a catastrophic injury to its right front leg with the dog being euthanised on humane grounds.”
The organisation has been approached for comment.
