Judge backtracks on greyhound report

FORMER High Court Judge Michael McHugh has retracted his claim that a slimmed-down greyhound racing industry — a key measure that could have reduced unnecessary deaths — is unsustainable.

NSW's No. 1 trainer Jason Mackay is left contemplating his future following the ban. Picture: Peter Lorimer.

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FORMER High Court Judge Michael McHugh has retracted his claim that a slimmed-down greyhound racing industry — a key measure that could have reduced unnecessary deaths — is unsustainable.

Greyhound Racing NSW wanted to slash the number of yearly race meets from 1139 to just 593 TAB events as a possible solution to the issue of wastage — the large number of dogs being euthanised.

Mr McHugh’s report into the greyhound live baiting scandal found that up to 68,500 greyhounds died over 12 years because they didn’t make the grade.

But the respected former judge dismissed GRNSW’s proposal, saying the planned reduction in the number of race meets would not be financially sustainable.

That claim has been now retracted as one of seven formal corrections to his three-volume final report.

The number of dogs being put down would still have been “unacceptable” — even under a reduced race schedule, Mr McHugh maintained.

‘Complete confidence’

GRNSW last night repeated its assertion that a smaller greyhound industry, with 593 race meets and potentially fewer tracks, would “substantially reduce” the number of deaths.

“Greyhound Racing NSW had plans in place to reduce this number and keep reducing this number throughout the reform process. We were already seeing significant progress,” GRNSW told the Daily Telegraph.

A spokesman for Acting Premier Troy Grant said the government had “complete confidence” in Mr McHugh, his report and findings and said corrections were “a common feature of length official reports”.

Premier Mike Baird, who is on holidays, remains committed to the government’s decision. Picture: Media-Mode.com

Premier Mike Baird last night remained defiant on the greyhound ban, despite wavering support from Nationals MPs.

“During the next sitting session the Government will introduce legislation in Parliament to shut down the greyhound racing industry on 1 July 2017,” a spokesman for the Premier said.

“We believe any reasonable, objective and humane person who reads the report by Mr McHugh will support this decision.”

Deep splits have emerged within the National Party on the greyhound ban, due to begin in July 2017 — and Liberal politicians are also feeling the pressure.

Jonathan O’Dea, Liberal MP for Davidson on the North Shore, supports the ban but admitted receiving “positive and negative” responses from constituents.

Hawkesbury Liberal Councillor Tiffany Tree called for a “compromise” with the greyhound industry, saying she was concerned about the impact on “jobs and small business”.

“I think it’s probably as cruel now as in any time in the history of the sport”

Castle Hill Liberal MP Ray Williams, who was vehemently opposed to a ban on greyhound racing, has reversed his position after reading the McHugh report — and claimed the industry is crueller than ever.

“I just don’t think there’s any way possible you can control it. I think it’s probably as cruel now as in any time in the history of the sport,” he told the Daily Telegraph.

Mr Williams, who has a long history in the racing industry, warned against a total shut down of the dogs in October, instead calling for tougher penalties for those convicted of animal cruelty.

But he said his own recent experiences plus the horrific claims in Mr McHugh’s report changed his mind.

“I love all aspects of racing and I think it provides great entertainment. But one of my own constituents is now serving a jail sentence for live baiting,” said Mr Williams, a Parliamentary Secretary to Premier Mike Baird.

“I have a vet who has euthanised greyhound dogs on behalf of this industry for probably 15-20 years because it absolutely sickens him the way that they kill their own dogs when they’re no good.

“I know every manner of animal that can scream or squeal has been thrown in a cage or hooked on an armature and ripped to pieces.

“Do we allow, as a human society, this activity to go one when they’ve had all the opportunity in the world to clean their act up and they just refuse to do it.”