Protest planned for world’s richest dog race
AS A greyhound foster carer, Emily Saker is one of the people who will “pick up the pieces” when the greyhound industry discards the dogs which will never be fast enough to compete in the Wentworth Park’s Million Dollar Chase, which the NSW Government has announced it will contribute $500,000 to.
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AS A greyhound foster carer, Emily Saker is one of the people who will “pick up the pieces” when the greyhound industry discards the dogs which will never be fast enough to compete in the Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park.
Ms Saker, of Petersham, said she was “appalled” by the NSW Government’s announcement last week it would contribute $500,000 to the race — two years after the same Government moved to ban the industry when mass graves and live baiting was uncovered.
She has spent her hard-earned cash and valuable time caring for 15 dogs over two years. Some come to her with open wounds while others require more nursing for their emotional scars.
Ms Saker said the Government’s decision to bankroll the world’s richest greyhound race would encourage owners and trainers to further invest in the industry, leading to even more discarded dogs.
Many who don’t make the grade will face being euthanised and only a lucky few will become pets, she said.
“It’s the volunteers and rescue groups who are left to pick up the pieces by caring for these discarded dogs and it’s their work which props up the rehoming figures, allowing the industry to claim its reformed.”
“Greyhound racing is a business based off the losses of everyday people.
“It is simply immoral that our government supports an industry which we know has major animal welfare issues as well as encouraging gambling. This is a double whammy.”
It has sparked a backlash with plans for a protest from 5pm to 8pm outside Wentworth Park on October 20 — the same day as the race’s grand final at the Glebe track.
Ms Saker, a staunch Liberal voter, has also written to Premier Gladys Berejiklian questioning why the money was not spent on health or education and is one of more than 3600 to sign a change.org petition opposing the expenditure.
Latest figures from Greens NSW MP Mehreen Faruqi’s office reveal five deaths and 159 injuries at Wentworth Park this year and statewide there have been eight deaths and 127 injuries in just three weeks at greyhound tracks.
“Barely a week goes by without deaths on tracks, people being charged with severe animal cruelty and neglect or someone being pinged for doping their dog,” Dr Faruqi said.
“The greyhound racing industry is behaving with impunity and the Liberal/National Government is rewarding this.”
Balmain MP Jamie Parker said the community did not want “this horrific spectacle to be held right in our backyard”.
He said locals would rather see Wentworth Park put to good use as a sporting facility for local clubs and schools.
“This is a truly appalling decision given the overwhelming evidence that shows the greyhound industry hasn’t undergone genuine reform,” he said.
“The industry’s own statistics show that injury rates are on the rise and greyhound deaths haven’t stopped.”
He pointed out it had been less than a month since the RSPCA discovered an open pit containing the remains of nine greyhounds on the property of a licensed and registered greyhound trainer.
Inspectors also found a dozen sick and emaciated dogs requiring urgent veterinary care.
A spokesman for Racing Minister Paul Toole said the Greens “want to end all racing, which is not a view the NSW Government shares”.
“These are not tax dollars, but unclaimed winnings from gaming,” he said.
“The NSW Government has allocated $41 million towards greyhound welfare initiatives, including $11 million for the establishment of the new Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission and $30 million towards upgrades of tracks to improve safety.”
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He said the race would drive economic activity in 11 regional centres to stage qualifying finals in the lead-up to the grand final.
“The Million Dollar Chase will highlight the industry’s renewed focus on animal welfare and high standards of integrity,” Mr Toole said.
“(The race) will demonstrate the importance of greyhound racing to regional NSW through its series of high-quality events for the whole community.”
Entry fees will include a donation to Greyhounds as Pets and all participants must rehome their dog after its racing career or keep it as a pet.
The Greyhound Industry Reform Panel’s released a report last February containing 122 recommendations, of which 121 were accepted.
These recommendations shaped the new Greyhound Racing Act 2017, which will undergo a statutory review in 2020.