The City of Canning council is urging authorities to immediately suspend greyhound racing at Cannington Greyhounds and investigate why it is leading the nation in deaths in racing.
Mayor Patrick Hall won over the council with his impassioned concerns and desire to put the request for suspension in writing to Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia, even though he admitted banning the sport was not within the local government’s remit.
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READ NOW“I think there is evidence to suggest there is some problem here,” Mr Hall said during Tuesday’s council meeting.
“How that independent review might take place is not for us to determine.
“I’m asking for council’s support to write a letter to the minister and raise our concerns about this particular track.“
The council voted 10-1 in support of the motion, with only Cr Michelle Hurn voting against it.
In his reasoning, Mr Hall said the “conduct of greyhound racing” and the “alarming death and injury toll” were contrary to the council’s views.
He referenced four deaths at the track since it started racing in 2024, making it the deadliest in the country.
During the council debate on Tuesday night, deputy mayor Amanda Spencer-Teo said calling for an immediate suspension was going too far.
She argued that decision should not lay with the council and could see financial implications.
“I’m not a supporter of greyhound racing anywhere, let alone on our front doorstep,” she said.
“I am a huge advocate for all levels of government sticking in their lane.
“An issue here is the potential financial ramifications. If they lose money, are they then going to turn around and try and seek compensation from the city?”
Cr Hurn also raised concerns with Mr Hall’s intended letter, including that the move could be seen by the public as part of his Liberal party aspirations for the seat of Tangney.
Mr Hall rebuked that claim and said the decision was entirely for animal welfare.
Statewide, pressure on the racing industry has increased in recent weeks.
On Monday, a protest was held outside the Cannington track, also attended by Australian Greens deputy leader Mehreen Farqui and WA Greens South Metropolitan MP Brad Pettit.
Advocacy Group Free the Hounds also launched a petition to phase greyhound racing out of the State by 2028.
The petition — started by the group’s president Melissa Harrison — asks the State Government to set up an Independent WA Greyhound Welfare Unit, immediately end the importation of racing greyhounds and put breeding caps in place.
Ms Harrison spoke at Canning’s meeting on Tuesday night to reiterate concerns over the structure of the track.
She said while other greyhound racing tracks in WA were State Government assets, the Cannington track was privately owned and leased for racing at $300,000 a year.
“The track has tight bends and short straights, it causes a problem for the transition of the track. It can’t be smoothed out easily,” she said.
“They go so fast, there’s issues.”