Cannington racetrack is now Australia’s thirdworst for dog deaths after greyhound girl Kelly Gusto was recently killed there, according to WA advocacy group Free the Hounds.

Kelly Gusto, a two-year old greyhound with only 17 starts, suffered a complex fracture to her right leg during the race and was euthanised at the track on June 19.

Free the Hounds (FTH) president Melissa Harrison, said while Racing and Gaming Minister Tony Buti visited a greyhound training business, it’s time he visited with a dog like Xena which has suffered due to racing.

Zena was discovered by rangers with rotten teeth and widespread infection in her mouth following the death of her owner. She weighed only 21kg, but is now improving due to being in foster care.

“Minister Buti has said on the record that “as the Racing and Gaming Minister, it’s important to see all parts of the industry, right down to the grassroots”, so Free the Hounds is inviting him to visit Xena,” she said. “Like Kelly Gusto, Xena has suffered due to the racing industry.”

Free the Hounds is encouraging all WA animal lovers to sign its ePetition – which already has more than 6700 signatures – to show the WA Government it must do more to protect greyhounds like Xena.