Greyhound Racing Victoria says it is developing a long-term strategy to make tracks safer as a third dog was put down following a Ballarat race on Saturday night.
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Loud Shout was injured at the start of race 8 on Saturday night, following a collision with another dog.
According to the stewards' report: 'Sprightly Bro, Inga Ollie and Loud Shout collided approaching the first turn, checking Inga Ollie and Loud Shout, which fell as a result... Loud Shout underwent a post-race veterinary examination and was found to have an open fracture of the right ulna and radius. Loud Shout was humanely euthanased as a result.'
The death follows two other dogs, Latinize and Bakali Jet, being euthanased on January 8 after separate race incidents. Both dogs broke their radius bones (the longer, weight-supporting bone in the front leg) in collisions.
A GRV spokesperson acknowledged the distressing nature of greyhound losses, saying all track deaths are fully investigated.
"GRV is committed to ensuring greyhounds race on the safest tracks possible, and we are collaborating with Professor David Eager from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to develop a scientific underpinning for safe racing," the spokesperson said.
"We closed and rebuilt Horsham off the back of this study, and currently Traralgon is closed for a rebuild.
"Any changes we make at other tracks will be based on sound research and scientific evidence."
GRV said the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club has been in existence since 1935.
"Like all 13 greyhound clubs in Victoria, has support from local businesses which sponsor races and race meetings. In turn, GRV and all 13 clubs support local businesses and local communities. Greyhound racing contributes $10 million annually to the Ballarat region through direct expenditure, salaries, flow-on effects and profits."
The Courier has approached BGRC for comment regarding the matter.
