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BREAKING: City and country unite in concern about greyhound racing

Polling released today by RSPCA Australia underlines community sentiment towards commercial greyhound racing, as the industry faces calls to be phased out in Tasmania and Western Australia.

RSPCA Australia
Monday, 30 March 2026

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RSPCA Australia releases new polling showing two in three Australians are concerned about treatment of racing greyhounds
Polling comes at a critical time for current legislative advocacy around Australia
Significant animal welfare problems continue to exist in the greyhound racing industry

Polling released today by RSPCA Australia underlines community sentiment towards commercial greyhound racing, as the industry faces calls to be phased out in Tasmania and Western Australia.

In a nationally representative survey, two in every three Australians expressed concern about the treatment of greyhounds in the industry.

The independent polling, commissioned by RSPCA Australia and conducted in September 2025, confirmed 66.5% of Australians are concerned for racing greyhounds’ welfare. Importantly, these levels of concern remained consistently high across Australia’s metro, regional and rural areas, showing this is an issue that bridges city and country.

Dr Suzie Fowler, Chief Science Officer for RSPCA Australia said the findings support the perspective that many states and territories have been unable to effectively mitigate the welfare issues for greyhounds and as a result, there are current pushes to end commercial greyhound racing.

“The greyhound racing industry’s social licence is fading rapidly, both in Australia and abroad. The RSPCA, along with the wider community, is aware of the significant ongoing animal welfare problems that exist in greyhound racing, including high risk of serious injuries, resulting in deaths on and off the track, individual confinement to concrete kennels, and an uncertain future after they are no longer needed by the industry.

“We stand in support of our colleagues in Western Australia, who are today appearing before the State Parliament inquiry into the industry; and in Tasmania, where the once-in-a-generation Be Their Voice campaign supports the proposed legislation phasing out greyhound racing in passing Parliament,” said Dr Fowler.

For more information on the animal welfare issues present in greyhound racing, visit the RSPCA Knowledgebase, and view the relevant RSPCA Australia policies on greyhound racing.

Knowledgebase • Offsite

What are the animal welfare issues with greyhound racing?

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BREAKING: City and country unite in concern about greyhound racing

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