Perth primary school student wins national award for greyhound welfare advocacy efforts as new inquiry begins

A Bayswater primary school student is taking her fight for greyhound welfare from the classroom to the national stage as the push to stop the racing industry intensifies in WA. Ten-year-old Hannah Danesfaleh has been awarded the young political advocacy award by the Australian Alliance for Animals in Sydney after years of grassroots campaigning to end greyhound racing. “I was about five years old when we adopted a greyhound,” Hannah said. “At first I didn’t really know what her life had been like. Then we started learning more and looked up her racing history. We saw that she’d been hurt quite badly. “That made me feel really sad and worried for her, and for other dogs too. I wanted to do something to help.” Since then, Hannah has volunteered with Free the Hounds, speaking at schools, libraries and community events, meeting ministers and collecting signatures for petitions. She was also given a youth award in the RSPCA WA’s Animal Welfare Awards in 2024. At just nine years old, Hannah also became a published author, writing Georgia the grey comes home to stay, inspired by her own rescued greyhound. “Georgia is my beautiful greyhound, and we’ve had her for four years,” she said. “She’s funny, a bit goofy, and makes me smile every single day. I love her so much. She always seems to know when I’m sad and even though she can’t talk, just being with her makes everything feel better.” Hannah said her advocacy was driven by a simple belief. “It’s important to me because it’s not fair. Greyhounds are just dogs like any other. Unfortunately because they’re fast, they get used for racing. That doesn’t feel right,” she said. “They deserve to be safe, loved, and treated kindly. I keep speaking up because I want dog racing to end and for all greyhounds to have a better life.” Her recognition comes at a critical moment for the industry in WA. A parliamentary inquiry into greyhound racing began on March 30 after a petition with 26,000 signatures calling for the sport to be phased out was tabled and public hearings revealed troubling evidence. In 2026 alone there have already been 11 on-track greyhound deaths in WA, with the Cannington and Mandurah tracks named Australia’s deadliest tracks in 2025. A report Commissioned by Animals Australia and conducted by independent economist Stephen Walters concluded greyhound racing in WA reduced the State’s overall economic prosperity. According to the RSPCA Australia, community concern is growing. New polling shows two in three Australians are worried about the treatment of racing greyhounds. RSPCA Australia chief science officer Suzie Fowler said the racing industry was fading rapidly, both in Australia and abroad. “The RSPCA, along with the wider community, is aware of the significant ongoing animal welfare problems that exist in greyhound racing, including high risk of serious injuries, resulting in deaths on and off the track, individual confinement to concrete kennels, and an uncertain future after they are no longer needed by the industry,” Dr Fowler said. The organisation said 66.5 per cent of Australians were concerned about greyhound welfare, and the rate was consistent across both metro and regional areas. With the inquiry’s findings expected soon, advocates such as Hannah are hoping their voices will help shape the future of greyhound racing in WA. “Greyhounds deserve kindness, freedom, and a life where they’re loved, not used,” she said.