Animal welfare
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:29): My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Racing. My office recently asked Greyhound Racing Victoria why a dog named Long Sleeves was suddenly listed as deceased after having raced without injury. GRV confirmed that he had died after suffering gangrene in his foot. Instead of being euthanised, this dog suffered until his cause of death was likely organ failure from horrific infection. The email response reads:
Not sure if the greyhound was found dead or it simply became ill quickly …
and later that GRV are ‘satisfied the greyhound was receiving appropriate care in the lead-up to his death.’ Despite these conflicting statements, GRV are refusing further investigation. An independent vet has stated that to die from gangrene is inexcusable and would immediately signal neglect. Will the minister force the industry to have this case independently reviewed?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:30): I thank Ms Purcell for her question and her interest. I will make sure that that question is forwarded on to the Minister for Racing in the other place and in line with the standing orders there is an appropriate response.
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:31): Thank you, Minister, for referring that on. When dogs die racing, they have their status changed on FastTrack to ‘retired’ with a subcategory of ‘deceased’. No cause of death is provided and the date that the status ticked over is omitted from the record. To find out why dogs have died members of the public must email Greyhound Racing Victoria to ask or wait for data from the annual report. In the 2023–24 report, 415 dogs were euthanised away from the track and a further 204 died without euthanasia from illness, injury or natural causes. Will the minister work with GRV to improve the transparency of live data on FastTrack?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:31): I thank Ms Purcell for her supplementary question and for sharing her concern in relation to those matters raised. I will make sure they are forwarded on to the Minister for Racing in the other place and that you get a response in line with the standing orders.