Veteran greyhound trainers left stunned by news the government will shut down their livelihood

A VETERAN greyhound racing trainer has been left “trembling and in shock” with the stunning announcement that the industry will be shut down.

• Will government be tempted to sell-off Wentworth Park?
• The secret greyhound tapes that led to the end of an industry
• Will government be tempted to sell-off Wentworth Park?
• COMMENT: Greyhound racing ban is a sad day for the battlers’ sport
• Veteran greyhound trainers left stunned by government announcement

A VETERAN greyhound racing trainer has been left “trembling and in shock” with the stunning announcement that the industry will be shut down.

Alan Proctor, from Londonderry, has been training dogs for 47 years and is still coming to terms with the NSW government’s decision to close the sport from mid next year.

The 65-year-old has 22 racing greyhounds and eight other dogs in training at his Tall Tree facility.

Greyhound Trainer Alan Proctor and wife Christine have made greyhound racing their life. Picture: Justin Sanson

“I am absolutely devastated,” he said. “I can’t believe it.

“It is our life, it is our lifestyle (for) 47 years, I don’t know what we are going to do.

“We love the animals. The government has stopped it.”

Mr Proctor said he has never used live baiting when training and instead uses a “squeaker” toy to train greyhounds artificially.

He believes the decision to shut down greyhound racing across NSW comes after the industry had completely cleaned up its act.

“The regulations are now unbelievable (with) how tough they are,” he said.

“The breeding is now halved, (dogs) have to be adopted out.

Greyhound trainer Alan Proctor with one of his dogs Cabello Mucho at his training facility at Londonderry. Picture: Justin Sanson

“No dogs are being put down, you just cannot put a dog down.”

But he acknowledges the live baiting scandal was a devastating period for greyhound racing across the state.

“It didn’t look good, it was bad for the industry, it was a blight for the industry,” Mr Proctor said.

“Not many people make money out of greyhound racing.

“The dogs will probably go to other states. They will be transferred.”

Mr Proctor’s wife, Christine, 65, was angered by the NSW government’s decision.

“I’m really disappointed with Mike Baird and Troy Grant,” she said.

“The game has never been so clean. There is no live stuff, you don’t need the live stuff.

“I’m stunned like everyone else would be.”

Greyhound Trainer Alan Proctor and wife Christine have been devastated by yesterday’s announcement. Picture: Justin Sanson

But Nora Anderson-Dieppe, from Nora’s Foster Hounds, supports yesterday’s announcement.

She takes in greyhounds that were injured during training.

“I’ve been rescuing for the last five years,” she said.

“I fully support it, it is the best decision. There is no ethical avenue (to continue greyhound racing).

“My first thought was that the rescuers were going to be inundated but thinking about it I think the middle range and large range breeders could move interstate and to New Zealand.”