A West Australian racetrack has been closed pending an internal investigation after two greyhounds were euthanised and several more were injured during a meet on Wednesday.
The state of the track is being blamed for the injuries despite a $3 million upgrade in 2024.
Greyhounds WA confirmed a change of schedule on its Facebook page, stating it was due to an “ongoing assessment of the Cannington racetrack” and that it would move the next meet on Saturday to the Mandurah track.
A Racing and Wagering WA spokesperson said Wednesday’s program was abandoned after race 7 of the scheduled 12, following four on-track incidents.
“During the meeting, two greyhounds sustained injuries and were euthanised on the advice of the on-track veterinarian, while two others sustained hock injuries and received immediate treatment,” the spokesperson said.
“The independent on-course veterinarian and Racing WA stewards acted to ensure all injured greyhounds received appropriate care and attention.”
They said Racing WA officials were conducting a comprehensive review of those incidents a before any further racing or trialling at Cannington.
“Racing WA extends its sympathies to the connections involved and will continue to ensure the care, safety and welfare of all racing animals remains a priority,” the spokesperson said.
A report compiled by the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds and published this month revealed that Cannington and Mandurah were the worst in the country for on-track deaths in 2025, with ten deaths at each.
In total, 21 greyhounds died – most were euthanised for leg injuries – and 604 were injured on tracks across the state.
The report revealed that three other greyhounds were killed at Cannington on December 17, with the not-for-profit labelling Cannington as Australia’s “deadliest track”.
“A huge number of greyhounds are injured in races and die away from the racetrack a day or two, or weeks later,” the report reads.
“There is also a critical gap in the reporting of injuries and deaths suffered by greyhounds at trials.”
Free the Hounds president Mel Harrison said the track closure was a “belated response to preventable harm”.
“Racing only stopped after four greyhounds suffered serious injuries in a single night, two of whom were killed,” she said.
“This occurred on a track that had been declared safe following a $3 million upgrade, and this follows the death of three greyhounds at Cannington track in December 2025, where racing continued all evening.
“Any review of what occurred at Cannington must be genuinely independent. Having Racing and Wagering WA investigate its own track, its own safety systems and its own decision-making is pointless and lacks public credibility.”
Harrison said Free the Hounds had raised serious concerns about track safety last year and requested the minister for racing initiate independent safety inspections, but that the request was not acted upon.
“This is what happens when systems prioritise racing continuity over animal welfare and profits over the greyhounds,” she said.
“The shutdown of Cannington must mark a turning point.”
Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti was asked about the closure at a press conference on Friday morning and flagged further announcements about the future of the course after an investigation.
“There’s a full investigation under way, and once the results of that investigation are complete, there’ll be further announcements,” she said.
“I’ll let the investigation take place.”
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