The state government’s shock decision this week to ban greyhound racing in NSW will send reverberations around the Hunter.
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Premier Mike Baird announced on Thursday that greyhound racing would be outlawed from July 1, 2017 after an independent report found “overwhelming evidence of systemic animal cruelty”.
Mr Baird said the ban was in response to unconscionable activities in the industry, including the slaughter of tens of thousands of dogs. Considering the money and employment tied up in greyhound racing, it was a strong move from the government to act in such a decisive manner after considering the evidence.
The underlying theme of the report was condemnation of an alleged culture of disregard for animal welfare at Greyhound Racing NSW and its apparent lack of effort to coordinate with animal welfare investigators at the RSPCA.
Shockingly, a key example that underpinned this was from our own backyard, here in the Hunter.
The report was scathing in its criticism of Greyhound NSW’s inquiries into disturbing allegations of past animal mistreatment at Keinbah Trial Track at Cessnock.
The report argued that Greyhound Racing NSW botched the investigation into alleged activity at the track and did not communicate with RSPCA officers effectively enough to allow them to do their job properly.
“If known to GRNSW (which it was), this is precisely the sort of complaint which GRNSW should have immediately referred to RSPCA NSW,” the report noted.
“Each allegation was serious but particularly an allegation that a current employee was involved in a mass grave for greyhounds.”
The fact is, if animal welfare was being considered above all else, the allegations would have been immediately reported to the RSPCA, but they weren’t.
While animal rights groups have lauded the ban, others across the Hunter who have responsibly taken part in the greyhound racing industry have been devastated.
Compensation will need to be considered for racetrack owners and others with a significant stake in the industry who have been doing the right thing, given the impact the ban will have on their livelihoods.
Clearly, the mistreatment of animals – for any reason – is unacceptable and the government should be congratulated for taking such strong action to protect greyhounds.