Tasmania is at a defining moment for dog welfare.
RSPCA Tasmania acknowledges the Tasmanian Government’s decision to defer debate on the Greyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform) Bill.
While we are disappointed that this reform has been delayed, we recognise that the legislation was deferred due to a lack of sufficient support in the Legislative Council at this time .
We want to sincerely thank the thousands of Tasmanians who have stood up for greyhounds throughout this campaign. Your voices have been heard in Parliament and across the state, and they continue to demonstrate a clear expectation for change.
This moment does not diminish the strong community support for reform, nor the ongoing animal welfare concerns that have underpinned this legislation. Greyhounds deserve better, and the case for a fair and orderly transition away from racing remains compelling.
RSPCA Tasmania will continue to advocate constructively to ensure that this legislation progresses. Over the coming weeks, we will work to provide clarity, address concerns, and keep the focus firmly on the welfare of these animals.
We remain committed to achieving meaningful reform — and we will continue to stand alongside the community to ensure greyhounds are given the protection they deserve.
The situation globally
Where commercial greyhound racing still operates
Commercial greyhound racing is still legal in only eight countries worldwide, two of which are UK nations (England and Northern Ireland). Those countries are: Australia, England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, the United States, Mexico, and Vietnam — and several of those are teetering. United States is on the verge of a complete exit. As of 2026, only two active greyhound racetracks remain in the US, both in West Virginia. The US House has passed the Greyhound Protection Act as part of the Farm Bill — the closest the US has ever come to a nationwide ban. The measure now heads to the Senate. Notably, the company owning the last two active tracks, Delaware North, reportedly intends to exit the greyhound racing business, but current laws require it to maintain racing operations to keep its casino licenses active.
Loss of Social Licence
In March 2026 both the Welsh and Scottish Parliaments passed bills bringing an end to greyhound racing in their respective countries
New Zealand's Racing Minister said greyhound injury rates were too high and the industry had lost its social licence
New Zealand announced its ban in December 2024, Wales announced plans to end racing in February 2025, and this rapid cascade signals a fundamental change in how people think about animals
Tasmanian context
Tasmania's injury rate compared to New Zealand's
One of the most pointed comparisons is with the country that just banned the sport entirely. Tasmania's current injury rate is reportedly higher than New Zealand's — the country where the Racing Minister cited persistently unacceptable injury rates as the reason for ending greyhound racing altogether.
The 2024–25 Tasmanian greyhound racing season: serious injuries spike
The most recent annual report, covering 2024–25, contains a striking finding. There were 279 injuries to greyhounds while racing in 2024–25, two of which resulted in death. Of those injuries, 35 were classified as serious and 55 were classified as major, requiring animals to be stood down for up to three weeks. Crucially, serious injuries rose by 75% compared to the previous financial year, even as the overall injury count fell slightly.
On retirements, the picture is also troubling. 270 greyhounds were retired over those 12 months, of which 193 were rehomed and 41 were euthanised — meaning euthanised dogs represented more than 15% of all retired animals.
Read more about Tasmanian Parliment's Joint Standing Committee on Greyhound Racing here:
Greyhounds cannot speak for themselves. Be their voice.
Authorised by Andrea Dawkins, RSPCA Tasmania