The Queensland Racing Minister has stated that the $44m taxpayer funded 'Q' was "constructed with animal welfare as its core". Given this, we are calling on the Qld Government to undertake a review into high number of greyhound deaths and injuries occurring at the facility.
The death toll
QRIC has confirmed that two greyhounds suffered fractured legs at trials on 24 and 25 March prior to the opening of The Q. After examination by the on-track industry vet, these dogs were removed from The Q and euthanased in the following days. QRIC has not yet provided the names of these dogs. On 21 April, according to the QRIC stewards report, two-year-old Federal Recall was euthanased at the track following an injury to the offside foreleg.
It is of great concern that these dogs were not considered eligible for the QRIC Race Meeting Injury Scheme.This is despite the scheme covering injuries including "bone fractures, tendon and ligament injuries, and any other injury determined to be life threatening by the on-course veterinarian". This does not accord with QRIC's claim that they are "ensuring all racing animals are afforded high standards of care."
Numerous injuries have also occurred at The Q. Fernando Dusty suffered a "leg injury" in the first race following the opening of the facility. He was given a 90 day stand-down due to the seriousness of the injury. We will be monitoring Fernando Dusty's welfare.
In response to this suffering, QRIC has already started censoring race videos. They are well aware of the impact this footage will have on a community already opposed to the exploitation of greyhounds for gambling and the very high levels of taxpayer funding.
We are also calling on the Premier to reconsider his attendance at the official opening of The Q. His attendance will signal his support for an industry that causes extensive suffering to greyhounds and also contributes to the impact of gambling on the Queensland community. Your government has acknowledged this with your $3m taxpayer-funded Gambling harm minimisation plan for Queensland 2021–2025.
For your information, media coverage on The Q death and injury toll is available here: Deaths, injuries overshadow lead-up to $86m greyhound track opening and here: Ipswich racetrack under fire after greyhound fatalities.
