In addressing recent media commentary, Greyhound Racing NSW firstly wants to say that we respect the role of organisations such as RSPCA NSW in advocating for animal welfare, and we share the objective of improving outcomes for greyhounds.
Over the past decade, our sport has undergone significant reforms across animal welfare, track safety, integrity, governance and rehoming, reflecting our ongoing commitment to raising standards and improving outcomes for greyhounds.
Our participants have a deep affection for their dogs and are dedicated to their care and wellbeing. That commitment is shared by GRNSW and underpins our determination to continue improving welfare standards and outcomes across the sport.
However, the recent commentary from the RSPCA regarding the sport is not the result of a review conducted by the RSPCA, nor did the RSPCA inspect any kennels operated by the sport’s participants across the State.
The sport is always open to public scrutiny. Greyhound racing in NSW is the only racing code that has a Government Regulator that oversees the sport and transparently reports on the key welfare aspect of the sport.
Public comments, including those made by the RSPCA, need to be validated and more importantly placed within the correct context. Sadly, once again, this has not occurred here.
Here is the correct context in relation to RSPCA comments:
$200m in Government Funding
Since 2018, Greyhound Racing NSW has only received $30m in capital grants funding from the NSW Government.
The Government Regulator, the NSW Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC), is partly funded by the taxpayer. Since 2018 this has totaled $140m. Almost 60% of this funding comes from taxation on wagering, not the general public.
Accordingly, the claim that $200m has been allocated to the sport is not factually correct.
Track Upgrades
The Drake Inquiry concluded its work in early 2025. Since then the sport has upgraded to minimum track standards two tracks (Taree and Grafton) with Dubbo and Lithgow recently upgraded and awaiting certification. The sport has a schedule of work in place that will see three further tracks Gosford, The Gardens and Richmond upgraded before the end of 2026. The remainder of the sport track will be upgraded throughout 2027.
The community can track our progress in updating track via our website
Transparently, the NSW Government regulator, GWIC, publishes this data each and every quarter.
Yes, there have been approximately 25,000 injuries over the past 8 years. However, if you look at the Government Regulator’s reporting, the vast majority (50%) of these injuries are minor requiring no stand down period as there is, in fact, no injury at all.
Now let’s put this number within the proper context. The sport has 13,000 races each year with around 7,000 greyhounds. Over this period the sport held over 104,000 races.
The RSPCA cites serious injury data for one quarter of this year from the Government Regulator stating that injuries have increased since 2018.
The RSPCA has neglected to advise people of the GWIC’s assessment of injuries over the longer term, not just one quarter. GWIC issued a media release in March of this year in which is said:
“GWIC confirms landmark outcome for greyhound welfare
The Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission’s (GWIC) latest injury report has confirmed a landmark animal welfare outcome, highlighting the effectiveness of the New South Wales greyhound racing industry’s injury reduction strategies.
GWIC’s greyhound injury report for the period 1 October to 31 December 2025 shows the rate of on-track death or euthanasia is at its lowest level on record.
Even more significant was that the data for the quarter continued a notable downward trend, demonstrating an 87% reduction in on-track euthanasia since 2017/18.
The report also showed the rate of serious injuries was lower than the previous five spring quarters, while the total number of injuries fell as a 12-month average.”
Our advice has always been that the community consult the unbiased and accurate data published by the NSW Government Regulator, GWIC.
Greyhounds are being ‘rehomed’ into kennel environments
To the sport’s understanding the RSPCA has not conducted a broad inspection of the sport’s kennels. Accordingly, how can it make such a patently untrue comment?
Again, we ask that the community look at the accurate and unbiased data published by the NSW Government regulator that shows over 60% of the sports greyhounds have been rehomed outside of the sport and are living out their best lives on someone couch. Last financial year 2,398 greyhound were rehomed to people outside of the sport.
Those greyhounds that remain pets with the sport’s participants are also living out their best lives in participants’ homes, because they love them.
