UPDATED, 5/10/21:
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Following the meeting held on 15 September 2021, an autopsy was conducted on the greyhound Talk Talk Talk which was pronounced deceased by the On-Track Veterinarian following the running of Race 7. The cause of death was acute abdominal haemorrhage.
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The death of a third greyhound in as many weeks at Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club's Bray Park track has again provoked calls for change in the sport.
Four-year-old Talk Talk Talk died after race seven at the track on September 15. The race steward's report said the dog, which had raced 74 times in its 29-month career, had collided with Zulu Eyes soon after the start and "displayed signs of distress" in the wash bay area after finishing the race. It was pronounced deceased by the on-track vet. An autopsy will be conducted, the steward's report said.
Talk Talk Talk finished last in its previous three races. The dog's death was preceded by two earlier losses: Pace Out was euthanased after breaking a hock in race 5 on September 8 and Chief's Scout was put down after fracturing a femur in race 11 on August 29. Chief's Scout collided with another dog and fell during the race.
Lobby group the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG) said five greyhounds have died racing at Ballarat this year, putting the track just behind Cranbourne with six deaths. Thirty-two dogs have died in Victoria, and 120 nationally, this year.
"How can the traumatic death of a dog like Talk Talk Talk be considered entertainment or sport?" CPG national president Dennis Anderson said.
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"Greyhound racing is inherently dangerous and deaths and injuries are inevitable, but the state government continues to support it with taxpayers' money. Greyhound racing is barbaric and must be banned. Most people would be surprised to learn it is still operating during a pandemic, killing dogs and putting people at risk."
Greyhound racing is barbaric and must be banned
- Dennis Anderson, CPG
A Greyhound Racing Victoria spokesperson said the body had shown commitment to reduce greyhound deaths and injuries.
"The loss of any greyhound is tragic and distressing for our sport, particularly for owners, breeders and trainers who love their dogs. Over the last four years, race deaths have fallen by about 55 per cent. We continue to drive this lower. GRV's Safe Racing Program is investing more than $10 million in successful initiatives to reduce race injuries and fatalities, underpinned by rigorous data collection and analysis.
"Incidents of sudden death such as at Ballarat are rare and unrelated to an injury. Every death is reviewed, and findings are referred to an independent panel including a veterinarian.
"With regard to track safety, our Safe Racing Program is guided by world-renowned expert Professor David Eager at the University of Technology, Sydney, who spent more than a year studying greyhound racing."
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