The racing industry is putting profits before animal welfare – again – pushing ahead with greyhound races in Hobart tonight. This is despite southern Tasmania being in the midst of a heatwave and the high risks this poses for greyhounds.
The welfare of the greyhounds racing travelling to, and racing in, Hobart this evening at Elwick Racecourse has been completely ignored by Tasracing and the Office of Racing Integrity.
The Greens wrote to Tasracing and ORI this morning, raises the high risks, but have not yet had a response.
Greyhounds are particularly susceptible to heat stress and heat stroke due to their slender bodies. Their low body fat makes insulating themselves against extreme heat very difficult.
Temperatures in and around Hobart are at around 36 degrees. The high risk of dogs suffering serious heat stress, or heatstroke which is often fatal, has been completely brushed aside by racing bodies.
Greyhounds will be transported in metal trailers from across the state to Hobart today. Those trailers are crowded – no place for vulnerable dogs in 36 degree heat.
Given this serious risk to the dozens of dogs involved in races planned today, it is scandalous the Hobart races have not been cancelled.
