Premier Mike Baird still refusing to say if he knew graphic quotes in greyhound report were from the US

PREMIER Mike Baird is refusing to say if he realised a dog breeder at the centre of his government’s greyhound ban was an American who had no relevance to the NSW industry.

NSW Premier Mike Baird (right) and Deputy Premier Troy Grant (left) meet with members of the greyhound industry in Sydney last Thursday. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

• BREEDER ‘ERNIE’S’ EVIDENCE NOT UP TO SCRATCH
• GREYHOUND RACING BANNED IN NSW
• BARNABY JOYCE SPEAKS OUT ABOUT GREYHOUND BAN
• FOLEY SLAMS ‘ELITIST’ GREYHOUND BAN

PREMIER Mike Baird is refusing to say if he realised a dog breeder at the centre of his government’s greyhound ban was an American who had no relevance to the NSW industry.

Former High Court judge Michael McHugh quoted breeder “Ernie” at the start of his report on the state’s greyhound industry, and “Ernie’s” graphic claim he drowned slow puppies was used to bolster startling claims that 40 per cent of NSW greyhounds never race.

Up to 68,500 greyhounds were killed over 12 years because they weren’t up to scratch, Mr McHugh claimed.

The graphic claims from ‘Ernie’ in the reported included that he drowned slow puppies.

It later emerged “Ernie”, whose true identity remains unknown, is from the US. His quotes were sourced prior to 2005 and the Canadian academics who interviewed him had no contact with anyone in Australia to verify his story.

Mr Baird and Racing Minister Troy Grant both refused to say yesterday if they realised “Ernie” was American or his quotes were taken out of context.

Mr McHugh sourced the quote from a 2015 Working Dog Alliance report, which reproduced it without context from the Canadian report.

Mr Baird and Mr Grant announced the shutdown of the NSW $335 million greyhound industry on July 7, citing ­“chilling” evidence in the McHugh report.

Mr Baird has refused to answer if he knew the quotes were from a US breeder. Picture: Ray Strange.

A spokesman for Mr Baird refused to say yesterday if the Premier knew of “Ernie’s” background before announcing the ban.

“The quote is properly presented and contextualised in the report of the Special Commission, and forms a tiny part of its argument on the mistreatment of animals,” the spokesman said.

Anger at Mr Baird is growing in the National Party, with claims in a leaked email that the greyhound ban will have “devastating repercussions” for the Coalition at the next election.

The Nationals’ Northern Tablelands Electorate Council passed a formal motion condemning the ban and sent an email to MPs and party members revealing concern.

“We believe this is a very wrong decision at this time,” a party official wrote. “The repercussions will be devastating for the Coalition if allowed to proceed.”

Nationals senator John Williams said “many” people were not happy with the ban but said the McHugh report was “damning”.

Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis said he and Nats colleagues will give “utmost support” to the “battlers and good people” in the greyhound industry.

The graphic details were used to bolster startling claims that 40 per cent of NSW greyhounds never race. Picture: Ian Currie

PREMIER’S ANSWER TO A SIMPLE QUESTION

The Daily Telegraph requested a “yes or no” answer from Mike Baird: When he read the McHugh report and decided on the greyhound ban, did the Premier know that the breeder “Ernie” was from the US and that the quotes attributed to him were taken from 2005 or prior?

MR BAIRD’S SPOKESMAN:

“The Special Commission had all the powers of a Royal Commission and its report is the most detailed and extensive review of the greyhound racing industry ever undertaken in Australia.

“Its findings demonstrate systemic mistreatment of animals in the NSW greyhound racing industry.

“The report is fully annotated with regard to its sources, and provides extensive evidence on the issue of ‘wastage’.

“The quote to which you refer is annotated and came from a Working Dog Alliance report that was commissioned by Greyhound Racing NSW, and which they hailed as a landmark report.

“The quote is properly presented and contextualised in the report of the Special Commission and forms a tiny part of its argument on the mistreatment of animals.

“Moreover, as the Special Commission of Inquiry report makes clear, the industry itself does not contest that ‘wastage’, ie the slaughter of excess dogs, is unacceptable and a serious issue.”