South Australia’s greyhound racing industry has reportedly met a critical two-year deadline to implement sweeping reforms aimed at improving animal welfare and eradicating abuse. This milestone follows revelations of physical abuse within the industry, which triggered an independent inquiry and a stern ultimatum from the state government. A final government report assessing the industry’s compliance is anticipated in the coming months.

Background to the Reforms

The impetus for these changes began in 2023 when investigative reports exposed videos depicting physical abuse of greyhounds on a trainer’s property in South Australia. These disturbing revelations sparked widespread concern about the welfare of racing greyhounds and led to the establishment of an independent inquiry. This inquiry, known as the Ashton Inquiry and led by former Victorian police commissioner Graham Ashton, delivered its comprehensive set of recommendations in December 2023. A key component of these recommendations was a strict two-year timeline for the industry to demonstrate significant improvements in its standards and practices.

Government Ultimatum and Inspector’s Role

At the time the recommendations were released, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas framed the two-year period as a decisive ultimatum for trainers involved in animal abuse. He explicitly stated that the industry had this timeframe to “clean itself up” or risk losing its “social licence and the government support” necessary for its operation. To oversee this process, the Ashton Inquiry also recommended the appointment of an independent inspector dedicated to greyhound racing reform.

In July of the following year, Sal Perna, a former police officer with extensive experience in sports integrity and a history of leading inquiries into animal welfare issues in racing, assumed the role of inspector. Over the subsequent two years, Mr. Perna has been instrumental in monitoring the industry’s progress, providing quarterly updates on the implementation of the Ashton Inquiry’s 87 recommendations. His most recent update, issued on April 7, indicated that the industry had successfully completed more than two-thirds of these recommendations, with 60 verified as finished.

Key Recommendations and Industry Claims

Among the recommendations that were reportedly outstanding at the time of Mr. Perna’s April update were requirements for the industry to properly record and publicly disclose greyhound injuries, and for Greyhound Racing SA to adopt minimum space requirements for greyhound housing areas. However, Greyhound Racing SA has since stated that it has now fulfilled all of the Ashton Inquiry’s recommendations. The industry body claims to have made improvements including larger kennel sizes and the implementation of a new greyhound traceability system.

Brenton Scott, the chief executive of Greyhound Racing SA, emphasized the collaborative effort of owners, breeders, and trainers in meeting these requirements. He stated in a released statement, “Animal welfare is our highest priority. We will work to ensure our greyhounds are provided with the utmost care from whelping to racing and retirement in a loving home.”

Skepticism and Future Outlook

Despite these assertions, the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds has voiced significant skepticism regarding the industry’s commitment to welfare. Spokesperson Elle Trahair suggested that the delay in implementing crucial measures, such as breeding caps and kennel size upgrades, until the eleventh hour indicates a lack of genuine seriousness. “This industry is primarily concerned with the continuation of greyhounds to fill races to fuel gambling rather than putting welfare first,” Trahair commented.

The two-year deadline for the industry’s self-improvement efforts concluded earlier this month. Acting Premier Kyam Maher confirmed that Mr. Perna’s final report has not yet been submitted to the government but is expected within the coming months. “My understanding is that the greyhound industry reform inspector is currently looking at the reforms that have been suggested and in the coming months will have a report,” Maher stated. He added that the report, once submitted, would be made public.

Conclusion

The South Australian greyhound racing industry now awaits the official government assessment of its compliance with the Ashton Inquiry’s recommendations. While Greyhound Racing SA claims to have met all requirements, advocacy groups remain watchful, emphasizing the need for sustained commitment to animal welfare beyond the deadline. The forthcoming final report will be crucial in determining the industry’s future and its ability to regain public trust.