NSW councils and RSPCA put down three times more dogs than greyhound industry
NSW councils have collectively put down three times more dogs than the greyhound racing industry, data from city council pounds reveals.
NSW
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NSW councils have collectively put down three times more dogs than the greyhound racing industry.
Data from city council pounds reveal an average of 16,178 dogs each year were euthanised between 2005-2006 and 2011-2012.
The state government’s report into the greyhound industry shows an average of 59,000 greyhounds bred in NSW over the last 12 years were killed.
The yearly death rate average is about 5000 greyhounds each year, putting the “wastage’’ in the industry at a third of the city councils’.
In addition, the RSPCA of NSW kills thousands more impounded dogs each year. In the 2014-2015 financial year the RSPCA euthanised 3435 dogs in NSW, as well as 8000 each year in 2010-2011 and 2009-2010.
NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers’ Association chief executive Brenton Scott said the data errors in the government’s report were “significant’’, including that 68,448 greyhounds had been killed for “being too slow”.
“What has become apparent in the fight to retain our industry is there are many other areas of the community with common ground, yet it is the greyhound racing industry that is facing a ban,’’ he said.
“A ban on greyhound racing sets a precedent for any industry involving animals. The greyhound industry is committed to a sustainable future, with the strongest regulation and highest welfare standards.”
He estimated, based on information supplied to the commission, the “unacceptable euthanasia rate” in the greyhound industry was less than 7 per cent.
“That is a long way from the 50-70 per cent range that is used by government from the report, that is ultimately only a guess,” he said.
Animal advocate Geoff Davidson said the issue with the greyhound racing industry was that the proportion of total greyhounds being killed was high.
“That’s the issue. It’s a very concentrated source for animals being euthanised,” Mr Davidson said.
A spokesman for the Minister for Local Government said: “The NSW government is committed to responsible pet ownership. Sadly, too many pets are abandoned and those that can’t be rehomed are subsequently euthanised in a humane way.”
Meanwhile, the RSPCA is investigating reports of a second greyhound mass grave in the Hunter Valley.
Cyclists discovered the remains of up to 10 dogs in bush near Raymond Terrace yesterday, buried in hessian bags.
Last year the skeletal remains of 99 greyhounds were found on a property near Cessnock.
MY GREYHOUNDS WILL HAVE A HOME FOR LIFE
Jessica Rapana
GREYHOUND trainer Rodney O’Brien is not surprised by the large number of dogs that are euthanised across the state.
He says there has always been a misconception that more dogs are killed by greyhound trainers than council pounds.
Mr O’Brien, from Blacktown, said “there’s a lot of frustration” with the government’s report into the industry, and said only “a small group” has given the rest “a bad name”.
“I’m cranky about the ones in the industry that have done the wrong thing buts it’s such a minority. It’s going to ruin lives and what’s going to happen to those dogs?” he said.
“Mine aren’t going anywhere, mine have a home for life.”
Mr O’Brien’s plans to breed his dogs were recently put on hold after the statewide industry ban was proposed by the Baird government.
“We were all set to go. As soon as that happened we had to pull back because they wouldn’t let us register,” he said.
“You’re talking about a lot of money when you have got no way to earn it back.”
He said morale at the tracks was at an all-time low: “Everyone’s getting around with their heads down. I can’t believe they’ve done it, it’s so cruel.”
Mr O’Brien said his three greyhounds were treated as part of the family.
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