Home / Sports / NSW Rejects Greyhound Ban, Continues Overseas Rehoming
NSW Rejects Greyhound Ban, Continues Overseas Rehoming
9 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Overseas greyhound rehoming continues despite review deeming it distressing and fatal.
- Government rejects suspending racing if track standards aren't met by year-end.
- Six greyhounds died during transport or preparation for US rehoming since 2023.
Retired greyhounds from New South Wales will continue to be rehomed overseas, a practice deemed "distressing and sometimes fatal" by an independent review. The state government has announced increased oversight but has stopped short of enacting stricter recommendations. This includes rejecting a proposal to suspend the racing industry if new track standards are not established by the end of the year.
Since 2023, six greyhounds have died during transport or preparation for rehoming in the United States. The review detailed that deaths occurred due to stress or heat exposure during flights, with one dog euthanized at Sydney airport after a spinal fracture. The report recommended an immediate halt to international rehoming due to the inability to ensure meaningful oversight and the inherent risks to the animals.
The government's response indicates a preference for prioritizing domestic rehoming "where possible" under a new licence. Oversight of overseas rehoming will remain an "operational issue" for Greyhound Racing NSW. While the review called for a cap on greyhound births and greater regulator oversight, these were not fully committed to by the government, signaling a continued, albeit more monitored, operation of the industry.
