Greyhound advocacy group Free The Hounds is urging Racing and Gaming Minister Reece Whitby to act, with the 2023 greyhound racing injury toll already mounting.

After 11 dog deaths and 157 major injuries on WA tracks last year, the first dog to suffer a leg fracture at Cannington this year is three-year greyhound Like You.

Three days prior, two-year old greyhound My Boy Bailey also suffered a hock (ankle) dislocation at the same track. Following on from the injuries suffered by Like You on January 14, Bravo Monelli and Moment to Waltz both suffered the same fracture on consecutive days, bringing a three day toll to three broken greyhounds.

Cannington track claimed six grey- hound lives last year, while Mandurah track killed four racing dogs and North am which was closed for much of 2022 saw one death. In total, there were 834 injuries to racing dogs during 2022, including 157 major injuries.

In total, there were 834 injuries to racing dogs during 2022, including 157 major injuries.

Off-track deaths due to injury were even worse, with 28 dogs dying this way in 2022.

This follows an annual death toll in 2021 of 12 dogs. Cannington was again the worst track with eight deaths and Mandurah track killed four greyhounds.

In 2021, there were 828 injuries, with 156 of them being major. Off-track deaths due to injury were again even worse, with 26 dogs dying this way in 2021. FTH president Mel Harrison said the deaths had to stop.

“Here we go again this year with four major injuries – all to rear legs – at Can- nington, and two broken right legs al- ready at the Mandurah racetrack,” she said.

“Who knows what the outcome of their rehabilitation will be under the indus- try’s GIFRS injury scheme when five dogs treated this way died in 2022. “The six dogs that have been injured this year have gone into the scheme, with many months of rehabilitation so Racing and Wagering WA can keep their death figure down

“The six dogs that have been injured this year have gone into the scheme, with many months of rehabilitation so Racing and Wagering WA can keep their death figure down

“Injuries are not being reduced, the greyhounds are simply being kept alive to keep up the social licence of this cruel practice.”

“When people in the racing community say that they ‘love their dogs’, members of the public should feel free to ask why they continue to allow their greyhound on a track where the risk of injury is very high, with so many dogs in each race, curved tracks and no weight restrictions.

“This is especially the case in WA where the racing industry likes to claim it is the best practice’ operation in Australia.”