Greyhound racing can have bright future despite live-baiting scandal: state boss

THE interim boss of Greyhound Racing NSW has appealed for the industry to be allowed to keep operating in the face of live-baiting allegations.

GREYHOUND Racing NSW interim chief executive Paul Newson has appealed for the industry to be allowed to keep operating, as the government’s special commission of inquiry following live-baiting allegations looks to close it down.

Mr Newson yesterday said he disagreed with a submission made to the opening of the commission that it would be hard to allow the industry to continue because 17,000 dogs are killed in Australia a year.

While Mr Newson conceded live baiting or killing of dogs can never be fully stopped, he argued a crackdown had already made improvements and the industry aspiration was for “zero unnecessary euthanasia”.

Mr Newson said greyhound litters had been restricted to three per female since the inquiry began, with breeding already down 47 per cent in NSW — meaning fewer animals were being euthanased.

Mr Newson said he believed integrity measures he had implemented were also helping to fix the sport.

“The industry can have a bright future­,” he said. “Much needs to change but much has already changed.”

Interim Greyhound Racing NSW chief executive Paul Newson.

The former head of the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing was chosen by Deputy Premier Troy Grant to run the troubled greyhound racing industry after the Greyhound Racing NSW board was sacked in the wake of the live-baiting allegations raised by Four Corners and Animals Australia.

INQUIRY: BETWEEN 13,000 AND 17,000 GREYHOUNDS KILLED PER YEAR

DOGGED BY SCANDAL, BUT KEEN TO BE CLEAN

In his first interview since taking the job, Mr Newson said the industry not only made an enormous financial contribution to the state of $340 million a year but also an important social contribution.

“Sure you have aberrant behaviour ... (but) you also have those very committed, those very passionate greyhound participants who have invested their life in this endeavour, very passionate about the welfare of their dogs and it's a part of who they are, a part of their community,” Mr Newson said.

The commission of inquiry is due to report in March.