What happens to the often-docile dogs after their racing career is also under the microscope with some dogs simply euthanased for not performing on the track.
Greyhound Adoptions WA is one group that re-homes former racing dogs.
Safety Bay resident Steph Moses is among those who have brought a dog into their home.
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"I have three young kids and my hounds have always been so tolerant of them."
Ms Moses said each dog was assessed for its suitability to people, children and other pets before it was re-homed.
She said reform in the industry was needed to make sure dogs were not discarded. "Being dumped at the vets to be put down is such a waste of life," she said.
Many greyhound trainers genuinely cared for their animals but there remained a thug element.
"The treatment varies from trainer to trainer," she said.
�I have seen trainers, owners and breeders who do love their dogs and spend time with them like a member of the family.
"In other cases they are just bred pointlessly and there are many hounds killed for not making the cut in the industry."