Nearly 5,000 Tasmanians have signed an e-petition calling on the state government to put an end to greyhound racing.
The petition, signed by 4,997 people, was tabled in the Legislative Council on Thursday by MLC Cassy O’Connor.
It calls on the government to follow New Zealand’s lead and introduce a ban on the sport.
The petition also urges the government to support industry workers during the transition and provide funding to not-for-profit animal welfare groups to help rehome retired racing greyhounds.
“We’ll keep advocating and pushing for an end to greyhound racing in Tasmania until it happens and it will happen,” O’Connor said.
The push comes as New Zealand prepares to phase out greyhound racing, ramping up pressure on Australia to consider similar action.
Animal welfare groups argue the sport is losing its social licence, pointing to what they say is falling attendance and declining betting revenue.
Despite the growing calls, Racing Minister Jane Howlett has confirmed the government has no current plans to introduce a ban.
The greyhound industry maintains it has implemented significant welfare reforms in recent years, including improved track safety, rehoming programs and stricter breeding controls.
But critics argue those measures don’t go far enough and that racing dogs at high speeds poses unavoidable welfare risks.
