Greyhound racing ban: Trainer Mark Gatt ‘shattered’ by NSW Government ruling: ‘I didn’t think it would come to this.’

LEADING trainer Mark Gatt said he was ‘‘shattered’’ by NSW Premier Mike Baird’s decision on Thursday to shut down the state’s greyhound industry by the middle of next year.

Greyhound racing across NSW will be banned from July 1 next year.

LEADING trainer Mark Gatt said he was ‘‘shattered’’ by NSW Premier Mike Baird’s announcement on Thursday to shut down the state’s greyhound industry.

Gatt, a third generation participant, was among a host of participants left in a state of shock following the decision to wind down the industry by July 1 next year.

Greyhound Racing NSW reacted swiftly to the decision by suspending greyhound racing for seven days beginning with immediate effect.

“Today is an extremely sad day for the NSW greyhound racing industry and the people involved in it,’’ GRNSW said in a statement.

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Gatt said: “I’ve got a two-year-old and another one on the way and this (greyhound racing) is all I know. I saw myself being in this industry till the day I die — but I didn’t think it would come to this.

“The reforms Greyhound Racing NSW has put in place have benefited the sport and you could start to see real change. The bad apples had been weeded out and it just seems completely wrong.’’

Gatt has four litters on his rural property at Thirlmere, southwest of Sydney, and is prepared to move interstate to pursue his greyhound interests.

Veteran Central Coast breeders Bill and Cathy Dance were also caught unawares by the shock announcement.

“I have 10 retirees on the lounges at home — I guess I’ve got 20 now,’’ Bill Dance said. “It seems the errors of a few have cost many their livelihoods and now there will be a few more thousands joining the dole ques.’’

Dance ruled out moving interstate and intends to wind up his involvement in the sport, which has spanned 35 years.

The ABC uncovered the livebaiting scandal last year, showing disturbing footage of live animals being used to train greyhounds.

TIMELINE OF A SCANDAL

* February 16 2015: Four Corners reveals the use of live piglets, possums and rabbits to train greyhounds across three states.

* Early 2015: Following the report there is wide condemnation of trainers.

* May 6 2015: Honourable Michael McHugh AC QC appointed to head up an inquiry into the NSW greyhound industry.

* June 2 2015: Queensland abolishes all racing boards in response to the growing scandal.

* Late 2015-early 2016: NSW and Queensland police charge several greyhound trainers with livebaiting.

* June 16 2016: Commissioner McHugh hands down his report.

* July 7 2016: NSW Premier Mike Baird announces industry shut down based on the report.

* July 1 2017: NSW greyhound racing industry to be shut down.

GREYHOUND INDUSTRY KEY FIGURES

* About 17,500 greyhound pups are born in Australia each year, with NSW having the biggest number — 8000 in 2014

* 7000 of the 17,500 pups born (40 per cent) will never race

* Only 600 greyhounds are “rehomed” annually under Greyhounds As Pets programs

* Confidential April 2015 Greyhounds Australasia report says the industry is “responsible for the unnecessary deaths of anywhere between 13,000 and 17,000 healthy greyhounds a year”

* 74 per cent to 96 per cent of greyhounds are put down before the age of 42 months

* The RSPCA has a euthanasia rate of 15.9 per cent

* Australia has 3800 active greyhound breeders.