The overbreeding of greyhounds is returning to “bad old days” levels in the taxpayer-subsidised greyhound racing industry, with thousands of dogs again being condemned to “wastage.” According to a new report from the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds, breeding numbers have surged past 10,000 for the first time since 2017. This excludes the many “unnamed” dogs rejected at birth as unsuitable for racing, which aren’t tracked but significantly add to the total.
The breeding boom comes after a temporary downturn following the 2015 Four Corners investigation, which exposed widespread animal cruelty within the industry. In response, state and territory governments briefly enacted a crackdown, lowering breeding numbers. However, the lack of meaningful government intervention has allowed breeders to once again capitalize on taxpayer subsidies, significantly increasing prize money, reducing breeding fees, and offering “sustainability payments” to incentivize the production of more dogs. The industry’s financial support has continued despite repeated inquiries calling for tighter controls.
Despite some efforts by the industry to address the growing number of dogs through rehoming programs, these are overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the issue. Data suggests that the industry produces roughly six times more dogs than can be rehomed, and these numbers are only expected to rise.
Further compounding the cruelty, greyhound racing continues to rely heavily on Surgical Artificial Insemination (SAI), a painful and controversial practice banned in many European countries. SAI involves subjecting female dogs to invasive surgery, which often causes pain and complications while they are forced to carry pups.
The year 2025 has already seen a grim start, with 11 greyhounds killed while racing in January—up from seven in the same period in 2024. In addition, 216 dogs were injured, many of which are likely to be euthanized. February brought more deaths, with nine additional dogs lost.
Two fatalities in particular, at the newly refurbished Taree “super track” in New South Wales, have drawn attention. Both dogs, Shirl’s Rocket and Ted Robbo, died following violent accidents at the track, which reopened in 2024 after a $6 million renovation. Despite being promoted as a leader in safety, the track lacked basic safety features like rail barriers. The deaths of these dogs, as captured on footage, serve as stark reminders of the brutality of the industry.
As it stands, the greyhound racing industry remains unaccountable for the suffering it causes, driven by incentives that only deepen the exploitation of animals for profit.
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