Paul Bibby
Lismore’s greyhound track has become the second worst in NSW for animal deaths after a dog died there on Monday, the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG) says.
In a statement backed by a steward’s report confirming the death, CPG says that the dog, Lyndan Picture, died in Race 8 when he collided with another dog at the turn to the back straight.
‘The steward’s report states he sustained a fractured elbow and was euthanised after the race,’ the CPG statement says.
With three deaths this year, Lismore has climbed to equal second on the list of deadliest tracks in NSW.
In 44 race meetings, Lismore has recorded 111 injuries, including 20 major ones, according to CPG.
Lyndan Picture is the 38th greyhound to die on NSW tracks in 2020, and the 165th to die on Australian tracks (all listed with stewards reports here).
Five greyhounds have been killed in four days (16/10-19/10: Sale, Wauchope, Shepparton, Ballarat, Lismore)
CPG said the latest death highlighted the racing industry’s disregard for greyhound welfare.
‘Lyndan Picture won $21,000 in his career but this didn’t save his life,’ said Dennis Anderson, CPG’s national president.
‘The racing industry is ruthless and more should be done to rehabilitate injured greyhounds, not kill them because they can’t race again.
‘The recent Million Dollar Chase tried to create a fake image of greyhound racing, but the cruel reality has been revealed over the last four days with five dogs killed. Two of the greyhounds were killed after fracturing their spines.
‘Greyhounds run at 60km per hour and deaths and injuries are inevitable. Most incidents occur at track curves, where the merest contact with another dog can send a greyhound falling at high speed, breaking its leg, neck or spine.
‘The racing industry’s own research acknowledges that straight tracks are much safer, yet greyhounds continue to lose their lives at dangerous tracks.’
Of the 165 greyhounds killed while racing this year, 94 per cent were euthanised with leg fractures, with 80 per cent of fatal injuries occurring at track turns, according to CPG’s analysis of stewards reports.
CPG believes that on-track deaths can be reduced by implementing safer tracks with an emphasis on straight tracks.
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