Seized greyhounds in poor condition, kennel owner says

Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA) is under examination following concerns raised by a kennel owner about the condition of two greyhounds temporarily placed in her care. Eva Sherriff, who operates The Vines Pet Boarding Facility in the Riverland, received the dogs, Sally and Ellen, in March. These greyhounds had been seized from a trainer in January as part of an ongoing welfare investigation by GRSA.

Ms. Sherriff shared photos on social media that appeared to have been taken the day GRSA's animal welfare team delivered the dogs. She described Sally as being "skin and bone" upon arrival, expressing distress at the dog's emaciated state. Concerns were also raised about a partially exposed desexing incision on Sally's belly, which Ms. Sherriff believed was at risk of infection. Ellen, the second greyhound, presented with an unbandaged wound on her hind leg, described by Ms. Sherriff as deep enough to "stick your finger into."

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I burst into tears with the first one. She was skin and bone. When they got the second one out, she too had lost a lot of weight, but at that stage, I was just in shock.

"I took the dogs and told [GRSA staff] if I were back vet nursing, these would be RSPCA cases with the state they were in," Ms. Sherriff stated, conveying the severity of the animals' condition. She noted that GRSA staff had apologized for the stress of the situation but could not provide a clear explanation for the dogs' condition in the weeks prior to their transfer to her facility. Ms. Sherriff believes Ellen may have been attacked by another dog. GRSA stated that the dogs were treated and monitored at veterinary boarding facilities, assessed for heat stress and underweight conditions, and underwent standard veterinary checks, including desexing and dental treatment, before being transferred to Ms. Sherriff with aftercare instructions.

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I took the dogs and told [GRSA staff] if I were back vet nursing, these would be RSPCA cases with the state they were in.