RSPCA South Australia is deeply disappointed by the recommendation to allow greyhound racing to continue, despite significant animal welfare concerns remaining unresolved after two years of reform.
When the industry was put under scrutiny in 2023, the message was clear: animal welfare would be central to deciding whether greyhound racing had a future in South Australia. The industry was given two years to reform under the oversight of Greyhound Industry Reform Inspector Sal Perna.
His final report has now recommended racing continue, while at the same time acknowledging that significant gaps in animal welfare remain and need to be addressed as soon as possible.
For RSPCA South Australia, that is difficult to reconcile. Five of the 78 recommendations have not been implemented. Four of the five have serious welfare impacts, including:
- Recommendation 8: implementing and independently verifying a breeding cap that better reflects the number of greyhounds the industry can realistically rehome.
- Recommendation 16: effectively addressing animal welfare and unlawful conduct complaints.
- Recommendation 44: enforcing animal welfare standards, including minimum kennel sizes and requirements for greyhounds awaiting rehoming, retired greyhounds and dogs temporarily out of racing.
- Recommendation 44: taking enforcement action when industry participants fail to meet the industry’s own animal welfare standards.
- Recommendation 45: improving the care and rehoming of retired greyhounds, with hundreds of dogs still waiting for homes.
These are not minor administrative issues. They affect how greyhounds are protected, housed and cared for throughout and after their racing lives.
RSPCA SA Animal Welfare Advocate Dr Rebekah Eyers said the success of reform should be judged by outcomes for greyhounds, not simply by the number of recommendations completed.
“Animal welfare was supposed to determine whether this industry had a future. We acknowledge the work undertaken over the past two years, but reform isn’t successful simply because policies have been introduced,” said Dr Eyers.
“The real test is whether those changes are being enforced and delivering better outcomes for greyhounds. Significant welfare gaps remain, injuries continue and hundreds of dogs are still waiting to be rehomed.”
Between January and August 2026, 607 greyhound injuries were recorded in South Australia, including 164 major injuries and 8 deaths.
In the first quarter of 2026 alone, 259 injuries were recorded which is a 16% increase on the previous quarter.
RSPCA SA also remains concerned about what happens to greyhounds beyond the racetrack. Many retire between just two and five years old, while around four in 10 pups bred for racing never make it to the track. This creates an ongoing need to safely care for and rehome large numbers of dogs.
RSPCA SA supports stronger independent oversight of greyhound racing. But oversight cannot eliminate the inherent risks of racing, nor can it solve the ongoing cycle of breeding dogs for the industry and finding homes for them once their racing lives are over.
Other jurisdictions have reached similar conclusions after years of reform, with New Zealand and Tasmania moving to phase out greyhound racing.
RSPCA SA is also concerned that the recommendation has been made while a separate Parliamentary inquiry into greyhound racing remains underway, with public submissions open until 9 October 2026.
More than 11,000 South Australians signed the petition that led to the inquiry, while a 2026 YouGov survey found 90% of South Australians do not participate in greyhound racing.
RSPCA SA continues to support a responsibly managed phase-out of greyhound racing. A managed phase-out would not mean racing ending overnight. It would provide time to reduce breeding, safely transition and rehome greyhounds, and support people whose livelihoods are connected to the industry.
“Animal welfare was the test. The final Inquiry report found that significant welfare gaps remain, and greyhounds continue to be injured and killed.” Dr Eyers said.
“Independent oversight may improve accountability while racing continues, but it cannot remove the fundamental welfare risks. That is why we believe South Australia should be planning for a responsibly managed phase-out of greyhound racing.”
While racing continues, RSPCA SA will continue to advocate for the strongest possible protections for greyhounds.
