NSW greyhounds are still being drugged
Despite the NSW greyhound racing industry claiming to "love" their dogs and treat them with “respect”, the greyhound racing industry continues to be plagued with suffering and cruelty, injuries, deaths and overbreeding. Among the myriad of entrenched issues within the industry, one alarming issue that continues to dominate is the doping or drugging of greyhounds with dangerous banned substances. The dogs are drugged for so-called performance enhancement, such as to increase strength and muscle bulk, reduce muscle fatigue or to mask pain or injury and in some instances, to slow a dog down to manipulate race outcomes.
The evidence is clear - doping is both widespread and can have devastating immediate and long-term health impacts on the greyhounds and the weak penalties have failed to halt the practice of drugging greyhounds. A 2018 Sydney Morning Herald article reported shockingly, that greyhounds test positive for drugs 10 times more than thoroughbred race horses. In this article, we shed some light on the types of drugs that are being used, their impacts on greyhounds and their welfare, and how you can help.
Drugs found in NSW greyhounds
Based on the industry's own reports, below is a list of some of the common drugs that have been detected in greyhounds running for their lives in the NSW greyhound racing industry.
| Drug | Effect |
|---|---|
| Arsenic | Long-term exposure to arsenic leads to weight loss and nerve damage. Short-term effects range from stomach pain and blisters to severe conditions like collapse or even death. |
| Caffeine | Greyhounds may experience vomiting, panting, abnormal heart rhythm, and seizures within 1-2 hours of caffeine ingestion. |
| Cimetidine |
Originally intended to treat stomach issues in dogs, cimetidine may cause confusion and headaches, with a prolonged effect in dogs with liver or kidney disease. |
| Codeine |
This drug may lead to vomiting and loss of appetite. Severe cases can result in collapse and severely decreased breathing rate. |
| Cobalt |
While improving athletic performance temporarily, excessive cobalt has detrimental effects on the heart and blood system. |
| Diclofenac | A type of NSAID, diclofenac can lead to nausea, loss of appetite, and even severe symptoms like vomiting blood and seizures and even death. |
| Guaifenesin | This drug can induce hypothermia, tremors (shaking, trembling), and vomiting in dogs, among other symptoms. |
| Hydrochlorothiazide | Negative effects range from skin rash, racing heartbeat, vomiting and diarrhea, and seizures. |
| Hydrocortisone | Primarily causing skin reactions (e.g. fragile skin), hydrocortisone can also lead to hormone suppression. |
| Levamisole |
Causes symptoms like restlessness, drooling, vomiting, and even death in extreme cases due to respiratory failure. |
| Loperamide |
This common anti-diarrhea medication can cause constipation, bloat, and sleepiness, and is particularly risky for dogs with certain genetic mutations. |
| Meloxicam |
This pain and inflammation medication can remain in a dog’s system for up to 25 days. The most common side effects include gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting, soft stools, and lack of appetite. |
| Metformin |
Used for diabetes, metformin can cause dangerously low blood sugar and kidney damage. |
| Minoxidil |
Even accidental contact can lead to moderate or severe illness. |
| Nordiazepam, Oxazepam, Temazepam |
These medications are known as benzodiazepines, which have been known to cause a range of symptoms from lethargy, poor coordination, vomiting and to aggression, agitation, trouble breathing. |
| Strychnine |
Found in pesticides, strychnine can lead to agitation, trouble breathing, tremors, and even death. |
| Tramadol |
Leads to side effects such as vomiting, nausea, and in severe cases, coma. |
Drugging greyhounds demonstrates a blatant disregard for their welfare and well-being
The administration of these drugs by participants in the NSW greyhound racing industry to their dogs shows a clear and deliberate disregard for the health and well-being of greyhounds. The NSW greyhound racing participants are subjecting these gentle greyhounds to substances that lead to both short-term pain and long-term suffering — all for the sake of performance and gambling profits.
The effects drugs can have on greyhounds
Greyhounds are sensitive animals and the side effects of these drugs are severe, including:
Vomiting blood
Organ damage
Nerve damage
Seizures, coma and death
Stomach pain, constipation, diarrhoea
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
Skin blisters and rashes
Racing heartbeat
Hypothermia
Hormone suppression
Restlessness, agitation, tremors, and aggression
Headache, lethargy, poor coordination
Trouble breathing
Pledge to never bet on a greyhound.
Raising awareness about how participants in the industry are treating these graceful animals is incredibly important. Legislation and public awareness are crucial steps in ensuring a future where the welfare of greyhounds, and all animals, is given the respect and care they unquestionably deserve.
Please join thousands of others in taking the pledge to not support legalised cruelty by never attending or betting on a greyhound or horse race.
Thank you for helping us create a compassionate world for both greyhounds and horses.
