Info & advice Animal welfare issues Issues with greyhound racing On 30 March 2026, RSPCA WA appeared before the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs to discuss our submission to the Inquiry into the greyhound racing industry in Western Australia. More than 5,000 submissions were received. All hearings will be public and broadcast on the Parliament of Western Australia website. Find RSPCA WA’s answers to frequently asked questions about the greyhound industry here. RSPCA WA believes greyhound racing causes ongoing harm to dogs. Serious injuries and deaths are not rare — they are a predictable part of the way the industry operates. We are also concerned that greyhounds are not always afforded the same level of protection as other animals. Behaviour that could lead to prosecution under animal welfare laws in the broader community is most often dealt with through internal industry processes, with lower penalties and less transparency. For these and other reasons, RSPCA WA does not support greyhound racing. Based on the available evidence, it is difficult to see how the level of harm inherent in the industry could be reduced to a level the community would consider acceptable. Key areas of concern In addition to the broader systemic issues, RSPCA WA remains concerned about the following: Transparency and accountability Limited, aggregated data and a lack of independent verification make it difficult to fully assess welfare outcomes. Not all greyhounds are tracked across their lifetime, meaning some animals are effectively lost from the system. Regulation and enforcement The current regulatory model lacks independence, with conflicts between commercial interests and animal welfare oversight. Welfare breaches are often addressed through internal disciplinary processes rather than external enforcement, resulting in reduced transparency and weaker penalties. Whole-of-life welfare Breeding is driven by racing demand rather than rehoming capacity, contributing to oversupply and poorer welfare outcomes. Rehoming outcomes are not consistently tracked or independently verified, limiting visibility of long-term welfare after racing. Injury and ongoing harm Serious injuries and deaths continue to occur at concerning levels, with current measures focused more on managing harm than preventing it. Since 2020, 106 greyhounds have been killed on the track, 92% of these involved single or multiple bone fractures. Other causes include collapse, trauma and internal injuries. Since July 2024, 102 greyhounds have sustained serious injuries whilst racing – 90% of these injuries involved single or multiple bone fractures. Ongoing risks remain in relation to prohibited practices, including live baiting, and the effectiveness of detection and enforcement. Beyond WA Greyhounds may be exported for racing in other jurisdictions, raising further welfare concerns. To learn more, please head to our RSPCA Knowledgebase article: What are the animal welfare issues with greyhound racing? – RSPCA Knowledgebase How can I adopt a retired greyhound? There are a number of organisations that arrange adoption of retired greyhounds into suitable homes. Greyhound Adoptions WA Greyhound Angels of WA Greyhounds as Pets You'll find more useful information about what to know about owning a greyhound here. Manage Cookie Preferences