The death of the third greyhound on the greyhound racing circuit in NSW this year, on the Casino racetrack, has led to the call for the suspension of NSW greyhound racing until the current Drake Inquiry reports its findings.
The purpose of the Drake Inquiry is to ensure a viable and sustainable greyhound racing industry in NSW with the highest standards of integrity and animal welfare’. The Inquiry was due to report from 13 December 2024, however, due to the high volume of submissions and other information received by the Inquiry, the Minister for Gaming and Racing has extended the due date for the Acting Commissioner’s report to the 30 April 2025.
‘The third greyhound to die on a NSW racetrack in 2025 has suffered an agonising death after winning its race at the Casino track on Thursday,’ said a press release from Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG).
According to the Casino stewards report for 16 January 2025, Brocky’s Ethics fell heavily after winning Race 10 and suffered a ‘comminuted compound fracture of the radius, ulna and carpus, with hemorrhage’. The three-year-old dog was euthanased. His death follows that of Shirl’s Rocket (Taree, 8 January, compound fracture of foreleg, spinal cord injury) and Ramblin’ Ethics (Muswellbrook, 11 Jan, foreleg compound fracture).
‘Three greyhounds have suffered catastrophic compound fractures on NSW tracks this year. Their bones protruded through their skin,’ said Kylie Field, NSW director, CPG
‘The year is only 16 days old and NSW tracks have already caused three greyhound deaths and more than 150 injuries. There is no social licence for this ongoing violence against dogs. These types of deaths were supposed to be prevented by upgraded tracks and GRNSW’s much-vaunted Greyhound Care Scheme 2.0.’
4,223 dogs injured in 2024
According to CPG 17 greyhounds were killed on NSW tracks in 2024, with more than 20 also dying off-track after suffering serious leg injuries in their races. A total of 4,223 dogs were injured in NSW.
‘This year’s deaths come amidst the Drake Inquiry into NSW greyhound racing, following the damning allegations by former chief vet of Greyhound Racing NSW, Dr Alex Brittan,’ stated the CPG press release.
‘Counsel assisting Leo Saunders, in his opening remarks at the Inquiry about NSW greyhound tracks, said: “Not a single one meets, or has ever met, all the minimum track standards set by Greyhound Racing NSW concerning animal welfare.”
Data for FY23-24 from NSW regulator GWIC shows that 1,046 greyhounds died from all causes, with 334 killed by ‘injuries and accidents’.
Four dogs have now died racing on Australia’s tracks in 2025. 128 were killed in 2024, detailed and verified here. In the Northern Rivers, four dogs were killed and 771 injured last year at Casino, Grafton, and Gunnedah.
‘The Drake Inquiry is revealing that greyhound racing is mismanaged and poorly regulated, with serious animal welfare issues. No track meets minimum standards,’ said Ms Feild.
‘NSW greyhound racing should be suspended until the Inquiry reports to racing minister David Harris in April 2025.
‘New Zealand’s centre-right government is phasing out greyhound racing due to the high injury rate. In NSW the injury rate is almost double that of New Zealand’s. Greyhound racing in Australia is on borrowed time.’
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