Controversial greyhound plan in action

The controversial sport of greyhound racing might gain traction in Busselton if the push to establish a track in Bunbury is successful.

The newly formed South West Greyhound Racing Association is in talks with Bunbury Trotting Club to allow greyhound racing at its track.

Busselton greyhound racer Terry Bolton said he hoped the move would increase interest in the sport in the South West.

“At the moment I race at Mandurah so a local track would be great, ” he said.

“It would be good for the area as it gives people another thing to do, somewhere else to go out and enjoy themselves.

“They might not even have a bet. It’s more the social sides of things.”

Mr Bolton said the association would meet at the Bunbury Trotting Club at 7pm on Wednesday and people were welcome to attend to learn more.

But Busselton Greyhound Awareness founder Jacky Kemp was concerned about the sport gaining popularity in Busselton.

“A lot of injuries occur on the track and the dogs can end up with arthritis, ” she said.

“Eighty to ninety per cent get put down after racing and others go to groups like mine.”

Ms Kemp said the average age of greyhounds needing to be rehomed was three years old but some were as young as 18 months.

She said a Bunbury track would encourage gambling and increase the number of retired dogs that needhomes.

Mr Bolton said he had raced greyhounds for many years and had only put one dog down due to cancer. His three-year-old male greyhound Malcolm, known as Moon Riser in competition, has raced in 43 races and won four.

“He’s a beautiful dog, very quiet, I love him, ” he said.

“On race day he knows all about it. He enjoys it.”

Mr Bolton said critics of the sport should “have a go themselves” to see what it was really like. He said he hoped a track in Bunbury would get more young people into greyhound racing.

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