GRNSW RESPONSE TO ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY NSW CLAIMS

Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) today responded to recent claims made by the Animal Justice Party (AJP) of NSW regarding greyhound welfare, describing them as misleading.

The AJP of NSW have continued their campaign against the industry with a social media post claiming that “every 20 hours in NSW a greyhound dies from racing injuries,” a false claim.

The industry’s regulator, the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) confirmed to GRNSW the inaccuracy and distortion of the reporting of the figures.

GWIC’s figures confirm there is not a death from racing injuries every 20 hours in NSW which would equate to 440 deaths annually. In the past year there were two sudden deaths at a race meeting, 14 greyhounds humanely euthanised at a racetrack, and 44 greyhounds reported as euthanised by private veterinarian or having died off-track as a result of injury at race meeting.

“Our industry and its people are constantly under attack from those who are against it, but in this instance, the industry’s regulator has confirmed the statement produced is clearly wrong,” GRNSW Chief Executive Officer Steve Griffin said.

“Those opposed to our industry have made it clear their end goal is to permanently close greyhound racing.

“We are the most regulated and monitored sport in the country, and we are more than happy to be completely transparent with GWIC independently reporting data. However, we will not stand by and allow misrepresentations like this to be made about our sport.

“GRNSW is committed to transparency and accountability and welcome scrutiny based on verified facts. Statements from Political Parties should be based on accurate information. It is for this reason that GRNSW intends to lodge a formal complaint with the NSW Electoral Commissioner regarding the dissemination of these misleading claims.

“In recent times we have achieved considerable and significant progress and work throughout the industry in welfare and safety, and regardless of our critics and opponents, we will continue to strive to be the best racing jurisdiction in the world.”

Since 2017-18 on track euthanasia has reduced by more than 87% (from 1.4 per 1000 starts to 0.15 per 1000 starts), and the financial year 2024-25 and year on year has decreased 27%.

Rehoming numbers have never been higher, and accusations by activists of overbreeding are unfounded with breeding in NSW at its lowest ever with all data available to the public for transparency.

“When it comes to presenting accurate data on our industry, we would expect better from political parties.” Mr Griffin said.

                                                                                           Ends