Thursday 23 October 2025
RSPCA South Australia is extremely concerned by the allegations of botched veterinary services provided by Greyhound Racing SA's preferred vet clinic.
The allegations outlined in a 47-page dossier that was tabled in the Legislative Council this week detail significant issues around a vet clinic and vets used by GRSA.
The allegations include inappropriate treatment of issues, infection and lack of pain relief provided to animals. While RSPCA South Australia is not suggesting any of the allegations are true, we believe they do require further investigation, and we encourage the persons who have been involved to report their concerns to the Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia so that they can investigate.
"We need a full investigation to determine if there is substance to these allegations and we're also calling on Greyhound Racing SA to reveal what steps it's taking to investigate" said Marcus Gehrig, Chief Executive Officer at RSPCA South Australia.
"These allegations further highlight the need for transparency within the Greyhound industry. We remain disappointed at the voting down of the proposed Freedom of Information (Greyhound Racing Transparency) Amendment Bill last week. The Bill, had it been successful, would have made good on a key recommendation of the 2023 Ashton Report into the Greyhound Racing industry in South Australia."
RSPCA South Australia also continues to be concerned about the industry's ability to improve welfare outcomes for greyhounds when their own racing data is showing no improvement in greyhound injury rates.
"Lack of public oversight removes the ability to access data on injuries and deaths, breeding practices and welfare standards. The outcome of welfare issues remains hidden without Freedom of Information, such as euthanasia rates, injury statistics and rehoming outcomes," said Andrea Lewis, Head of Animal Welfare at RSPCA South Australia.
The new Animal Welfare Act 2025 that was passed by Parliament in February 2025 requires employees involved in the Greyhound racing industry to submit mandatory notifications where they have a concern over the ill-treatment of animals or a failure to follow the general duty of care, including minimising harm to animals.
If the new Act had been in place during the timeframe of the alleged treatment, it would have allowed the unnamed staff members who were expressing their concerns in the dossier to report directly to the Minister's Office.
The new Act is legislation that was passed in February this year but is yet to commence, so is expected to come into force in 2026.
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