Animal welfare groups Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG) and Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA) are calling for an independent inquiry into the greyhound racing industry following a sharp surge in deaths over the last five weeks.
Between 2 September and October, a total of 12 dogs died in Victoria, seven on-track and a further five from racing injuries away from the track.
CANA chief executive Trish Ennis said the tragic deaths of greyhounds on Victorian racetracks aren’t isolated incidents.
“They’re a national disgrace that reflects a devastating welfare crisis,” she said.
“We stand with the Animal Justice Party and Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds in demanding a full, independent inquiry.
“It’s time to end this cruelty once and for all.”
At the time of writing, a total of 38 greyhounds have been killed on Victorian tracks this year with the second-worst record for deaths in Queensland only recording 23 on-track deaths in comparison. More than 30 Victorian greyhounds have died off the tracks from their racing injuries and a total of 94 greyhounds have died nationwide in 2025 with 8450 suffering track injuries.
CPG’s Victorian director Steve Cook said Victoria has by far the deadliest greyhound tracks in Australia.
“This level of animal abuse in a taxpayer-funded industry cannot continue,” he said.
“Victoria has to follow the lead of other states and establish an independent inquiry into the high levels of death and suffering occurring on the state’s tracks.”
One of the 12 recent deaths occurred following a race at the Healesville track on 21 September, where Fernando Gomez suffered a hock (hindleg) fracture and has since been euthanised.
According to CPG, Fernando Gomez faltered at he 100m mark of race four and underwent a post-race veterinary examination where the fracture was discovered. Initially, the greyhound was supposed to stand down for 90 days before racing again.
“Greyhounds are gentle, social animals who deserve lives filled with care, not exploitation,” Ms Ennis said.
“When animals suffer, it erodes the human–animal bond that enriches our communities and our wellbeing.”
CPG data has also noted 23 serious injuries (stand down period of 60 days or more) at Healesville in 2025. In 2024, there was a total of three deaths, all as a result of leg fractures either on the track or in the catching pen.
Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell said Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) and the Victorian Government are prepared to accept that dead or injured greyhounds are just the inevitable cost of keeping this sickening industry alive.
“The continued support of this industry by the Victorian Government sends a clear message that economic interest is more important than animal suffering,” she said.
“It is shameful that the Victorian government continues to put taxpayer dollars from hardworking Victorians toward this brutal bloodsport.
“Tasmania and New Zealand have moved to shut down greyhound racing for good — it’s time that Victoria stops lagging behind and supports an immediate inquiry into the future of this industry.”
A policy costing from the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), requested by Ms Purcell and released in August, estimated that the Victorian government could save as much as $451.6 million over a decade if it chose to immediately ban greyhound racing.
A GRV spokesperson said racing fatalities in Victoria over the past four years have decreased by more than 10 per cent and total racing injury rates are also down over that same period.
“The rate of serious injuries was also down year-on-year in 2024-25,” they said.
“With about 110,000 starters in over 14,500 races in Victoria annually, fatalities and serious injuries in racing are rare.
“The causes are multifaceted and unique to each situation and cannot be solely attributable to the track design, shape or surface.”
GRV launched a Greyhound Recovery Initiative (GRI) in February 2018 which provides financial support to owners to put towards recovery when a greyhound is seriously injured during racing, with a view to a future beyond the track rather than facing euthanasia. In 2024-25, 295 greyhounds were supported through the GRI, amounting to $484,887 in funding.
Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines said they take the safety of racing animals very seriously. “It’s why we work closely with Greyhound Racing Victoria to implement significant safety improvements – including the $2 million we’ve delivered for the new Greyhound Whole of Life Digital Tracking Program,” he said
“Greyhound Racing Victoria investigates all reported fatalities and cases of euthanasia for Victorian-owned greyhounds.
“Greyhound racing supports 4,700 full-time Victorian jobs and generates $643 million for our economy. We will always back the industry with what it needs to protect dogs and uphold racing integrity.”
There are currently no plans to establish a Parliamentary or independent inquiry.
The Victorian Government’s Whole of Life Digital Tracking Program will take the location and health of registered greyhounds and record it on a digital platform from birth, throughout their racing career and into retirement and re-homing.
