The welfare of greyhounds in Australian racing: Has the industry run its course?

Australia’s greyhound racing industry is reportedly the third largest in the world. Over fifty racetracks operate across the country, with the majority located in New South Wales. In 2009 the total ‘stake money’, that is, the amount put at risk by punters, was $73.774 million nationwide. This article explores welfare issues in the greyhound industry, arguing that, despite recent regulatory reforms and industry efforts to improve welfare standards, there is sufficient evidence available to conclude that Australia should follow the lead set by the USA and begin dismantling a sporting industry which has run its course. In short, this form of animal use can no longer be justified as ‘necessary’. The authors accept that given the strength of the racing industry in Australia this position may be dismissed as politically untenable. While admittedly an aspirational osition, it has validity, especially when considered in the context of developments in the USA where greyhound racing is now unlawful in most states. As background we touch on the history of greyhound racing and gambling in Australia. We then outline Australia’s approach to the regulation of animal welfare law in the racing industry, using Queensland’s and Victoria’s regulatory systems as case studies. The discussion then turns to animal welfare issues relevant to greyhounds drawing on international and domestic sources. As an exemplar of animal welfare law reform, we recount the story of how pari-mutuel dog racing was eliminated in Massachusetts in 2008, via an indirect initiative ballot. The article concludes by identifying the elements driving law reform in the US and how this experience might inform legal advocacy in Australia.