Questions without notice and ministers statements
Greyhound racing
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:04): (637) My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Racing. Greyhound breeder Kenneth Buxton was recently disqualified after dogs in his care were found in trailers covered in six inches of faeces without access to food or to water. One of his dogs was so severely malnourished that he had to be euthanised immediately upon inspection. Wynburn Skye was bred in Tasmania and last raced in 2022 before she was transferred to Victoria under the ownership of Buxton. She never raced under him, and it is unknown whether she was at his property when the investigation took place. What we do know is that she is now listed as deceased after being considered not suitable to rehome. Can the minister confirm why Wynburn Skye was euthanised?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:05): I thank Ms Purcell for her question and her passion on these matters. I will make sure that that question is referred to the Minister for Racing in the other place and that I get a response in line with the standing orders.
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:05): Thank you, Minister, for referring that on. We know that the government accept loopholes in tracking because they know the industry could not survive without the ability to make dogs simply disappear. The newly committed whole-of-life tracking system is a good start for Victoria, but the exact reasons dogs are dying must also be disclosed. Will the minister support calls to include euthanasia data in Greyhound Racing Victoria’s annual report?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:06): In line with the standing orders I will also make sure that that supplementary question is referred to the Minister for Racing in the other place and that Ms Purcell gets a response in line with the standing orders.