Greyhound ban: 19,000 dogs will needs rehoming, leaked report reveals

THE Baird government will have to find homes for 19,000 dogs — not the 6000 first publicised — once greyhound racing is banned, leaked report reveals.

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THE Baird government will have to find homes for 19,000 dogs — not the 6000 first publicised — once greyhound racing is banned in NSW.

The new figure is revealed in a leaked draft interim report from the greyhound transition taskforce, which recommends breeding be ­allowed to continue until 2019 and the training and keeping of dogs ­allowed until 2022 — five years after racing is banned.

“The Special Commission of ­Inquiry reported evidence from Greyhound Racing NSW that there were 6809 active racing dogs in NSW,” the report says.

“In total, GRNSW has reported to the taskforce that there are an ­estimated 10,263 named greyhounds (between 18 months and six years of age) in NSW.

“A further 8922 greyhounds have been microchipped and ear branded but not yet named.”

The paper suggests the number of dogs could be even higher because of “systematic noncompliance with ­notification requirements by industry participants”.

The taskforce recommends early announcements on the timing of breeding and training bans “to ­remove significant uncertainty” that could damage ­business activity and the “welfare of ­participants and their dogs”.

In total, GRNSW has reported to the taskforce that there are an ­estimated 10,263 named greyhounds (between 18 months and six years of age) in NSW.

The paper has been written after visits by taskforce head John Keniry to 10 racing clubs across NSW. As a result of the consultations it appears to argue for a gradual shutdown of the industry.

“It was clear from the majority of participants that a phased shutdown period will allow people and businesses to transition from the industry in an orderly manner, with reduced ­financial loss,” the draft report says.

“If coupled with sustenance payments for dogs retained by their owners as companion animals, (it) is most likely to avoid mass surrender of dogs and excessive euthanasia levels around June/July 2017.”

However, the taskforce says “the racing closure date has been established by legislation and it is outside the taskforce’s terms of reference to seek an amendment to the Act”.

The paper has been written after visits by taskforce head John Keniry to 10 racing clubs across NSW.

Deputy Premier Troy Grant said he would wait until the report was finished before he would comment. “I haven’t seen any draft interim report. I eagerly await its finalisation so it can be made available to everyone.”

Document author Mr Keniry, said: “It speaks for itself. The important thing is it’s a draft. I haven’t finished consulting with the industry yet.”

The report says industry members who had made large investments in the sport should be allowed to recoup some of their funds.

“Training requires tracks and ­fixtures associated with the racing of greyhounds,” it says.

“The taskforce has formed the view that, in principle, dogs that have been bred legally in NSW should be given a chance to be reared, educated and trained in NSW, and thereby given an opportunity to pursue a ­racing career.