Aussie Mates in the States program dog 'boiled to death' on hot airport tarmac

A US rehoming program for Australian greyhounds is in the spotlight after a former race dog was left caged on a hot airport tarmac for six hours and died.

The Aussie Mates in the States program flies retired racing greyhounds to the United States and Canada, linking with 22 rehoming groups including in Seattle, San Francisco and Las Vegas.

Dallas Police Department also got involved, adopting a greyhound specifically trained as a PTSD companion animal.

About 500 dogs were rehomed in the program’s first year, with operators aiming for 1000 to board planes in 2024.

But what happened immediately after two dogs arrived at Dallas airport in Texas in June has concerned animal welfare activists.

After a 15-hour flight and with air temperatures reaching 32C, female dog Katana was found dead in her cage while her companion, Alby, needed to be euthanised.

In an email seen by AAP, Qantas confirmed a greyhound had died while outside its care with the major contributing factor likely “heat stress”.

Animal Justice MP Emma Hurst told a parliamentary hearing she understood one dog died “after being left on the tarmac for six hours and boiling to death”.

NSW Racing Minister David Harris however said he only knew of two earlier deaths associated with the program, both occuring prior to crossing the Pacific.

“I’ll have to take it on notice, I’m not across the specifics of that,” he said on Friday.

“A dog boiling to death isn’t a story someone would easily forget,” Ms Hurst replied.

The second dog, Alby, was found lethargic and in dire need of vet treatment. He was later put down.

Mr Harris later acknowledged he’d received notice of the deaths in June.

He said he was currently negotiating communication improvements with Greyhound Racing NSW.

It follows the minister being left in the dark about a scathing report on animal welfare breaches by the industry’s outgoing chief veterinarian.

The scandal triggered the launching of a snap probe into greyhound racing, starting September 16 and overseen by the chair of the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission.

Its terms of reference however preclude ending racing entirely, a decision defended on Friday by the minister.

“The government had made a decision that greyhound racing would continue, to make it as safe as I possibly can,” Mr Harris said.

Greens MP Abigail Boyd accused the minister of using the inquiry to “sweep things under the carpet.”

The commission’s chief executive told budget estimates his office was unable to oversee the US rehoming program as its powers covered only industry participants.

But he said the commission was closely watching trends in deaths and rehoming to identify any trainers and owners with a poor record.

The commission has also recently asked the industry to be more transparent about treatment outcomes for injured dogs.