NSW greyhound racing industry to be shut down from 2017

UPDATE: GREYHOUND racing will stay in Victoria — but the industry says it faces “immense pressure” — after NSW’s shock decision to end the sport.

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• Animal welfare groups hail greyhounds ban
• 125 live bait charges in Vic | Accused try to stop footage
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UPDATE: GREYHOUND racing will continue in Victoria — but faces “immense pressure” — after the shock decision by the NSW government to end the controversial sport.

The Baird Government also suspended racing for a week across NSW — effective immediately — after earlier announcing a total ban on the sport from next year.

Animal welfare groups, including the RSPCA, hailed the news as a victory for animal rights while others raised fears for the future of those in the industry, with as many as 10,000 jobs threatened interstate.

But Victoria’s Racing Minister Martin Pakula confirmed there are no plans to curb the industry in Victoria, despite racing being banned up north from 2017.

Mr Pakula tweeted that three investigations had been carried out in Victoria follow the live baiting scandal and Victoria iss committed to cleaning up greyhound racing.

“I am backing @GRV_News to continue and complete the reform job it commenced more than 12 months ago,’’ he said.

“None of the Perna, Milne or Bittar reports recommended the shut down of Victorian greyhound racing.

“It is an industry that employs thousands But since live baiting, the industry’s been on notice. Every participant should know it’s future depends on ongoing commitment to reform.”

I am backing @GRV_News to continue and complete the reform job it commenced more than 12 months ago 1/3

— Martin Pakula (@MartinPakulaMP) July 7, 2016

None of the Perna, Milne or Bittar reports recommended the shut down of Victorian greyhound racing. It is an industry that employs thousands

— Martin Pakula (@MartinPakulaMP) July 7, 2016

But since live baiting the industry's been on notice. Every participant should know it's future depends on ongoing commitment to reform 3/3

— Martin Pakula (@MartinPakulaMP) July 7, 2016

INDUSTRY EXPECTS ‘IMMENSE’ PRESSURE

But Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) Chairperson Bernie Carolan warned the decision would place pressure on the Victorian industry.

“The closure of the NSW industry will put immense regulatory, compliance, rehoming and operational pressures on another States, especially Victoria, as they handle a potential influx of new participants and dogs,” Mr Carolan said.

“The sport operates on a smaller scale in Victoria and GRV is well advanced on fundamental and unprecedented cultural and operational reform to ensure it has a sustainable future as a fair and accountable code with greyhound welfare as its overriding priority.’’

“This future takes into account that greyhound racing in Victoria directly employs over 3000 people, generates many indirect jobs, particularly in regional Victoria and annually adds over $315 million to our economy including $200 million of direct expenditure in regional Victoria.”

Greyhounds in Broadmedows. Victorian trainers expect local tracks could become busier. Picture: Jay Town

Former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina was appointed as Greyhound Victoria’s integrity manager last year. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Acting Racing Minister Jill Hennessy also backed the state’s position.

“The Victorian greyhound racing industry under Bernie Carolan and Alan Clayton has taken great strides in reforming the industry.

“The Government has no plans to ban greyhound racing in Victoria,” Ms Hennessy said.

However racing identities fear the move by NSW premier Mike Baird is a bad sign for the future of the industry.

“The worry is that united we stand, divided we fall,’’ said Victorian trainer Angela Langton.

“Victoria has always had a strong racing history and we have always done the right thing. Hopefully that will not change.’’

Victorian greyhound race tracks could get a lot busier.

Sandown Greyhounds spokesman Mick Floyd — in Melbourne’s southeast — said there were “lot of reasons to be optimistic about greyhound racing” and said the industry was much more ethical than it was a couple of years ago following recommendations made last year in the wake of the live baiting scandal.

“We already get a lot of trainers racing in Victoria coming from NSW and if the whole industry is shut down and trainers come down I guess we will look at how that plays out at the time,” he said.

“I anticipate we would be able to accommodate more racing; we race two times a week at Sandown and we could have extra meetings if needed.”

Already animal welfare activists have called for a similar ban, with a change.org petition being launched by Jane Gilmore who wrote: “If NSW can take this step, Victoria can too.”

ADOPTIONS CLAIM: Animal rescuers claim Greyhound adoption figures fudged

Mr Baird announced the decision today, saying that the industry will be closed completely from July next year.

#greyhoundracing to end in #NSW #cartoon @heraldsunsport @theheraldsun @IlloRoom #greyhound #dog pic.twitter.com/EzGQxmurXm

— Chris 'ROY' Taylor (@chrisroytaylor) July 7, 2016

It follows a Special Commission of Inquiry, the findings of which were handed to the state government last week.

Greyhound racing will end in NSW next year after evidence of widespread livebaiting emerged. Picture: ABC

Last year it emerged a large number of greyhound trainers were using live animals — including piglets and rabbits as bait. Picture: ABC

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

Mr Baird said the Special Commissions of Inquiry’s report found that between 48,000 and 68,000 greyhounds bred to race were killed in the past 12 years because they were deemed “uncompetitive”.

The report also found that “up to 20 per cent of trainers engage in live baiting and 180 greyhounds a year sustain catastrophic injuries during races, such as skull fractures and broken backs that resulted in their immediate deaths”.

The ban will come into effect on July 1, 2017.

Commissioner Michael McHugh recommended Parliament consider whether the industry should be shut down.

“As a humane and responsible government, we are left with no acceptable course of action except to close this industry down,” Mr Baird said.

Kyle Vos with his adopted greyhound Teddy. The shutdown will include a strategy for rehoming dogs. Picture: Peter Ristevski

The recent NSW government report was damming of the state’s greyhound industry, finding up to 20 per cent of trainers engaged in livebaiting.

Thousands of dogs that were deemed “uncompetitive” were also killed. Picture: ABC

“This is the inevitable conclusion to be drawn from the appalling revelations in Mr McHugh’s report and his considered view that any other measures are unlikely to protect animals from further cruelty.”

Mr Baird said the government will announce a “detailed industry shutdown plan” during the second half of 2016 “following consultation with stakeholders in industry and animal welfare organisations”.

The plan is likely to include a strategy for rehoming existing racing dogs, an “adjustment package” for those working in the industry and the shut down of Greyhound Racing NSW.

Following the formal announcement, Mr Baird took to Facebook to explain the reasoning.

“I feel much empathy for innocent trainers and those who will lose their job or hobby as a result of this,” he posted.

“And I understand the disappointment of people who enjoy having a punt on the dogs. But we simply cannot and will not standby and allow the widespread and systemic mistreatment of animals.”

Deputy Premier Troy Grant praised Mr McHugh and said no stone had been left “unturned” in his report “that shone a light on sickening animal mistreatment”.

Deputy Premier Troy Grant.

NSW Premier Mike Baird made the announcement today. Picture: Cameron Richardson.

“NSW is the first Australian state to ban greyhound racing but, as Mr McHugh notes, we are following in the footsteps of so many jurisdictions across the United States and the world which have banned greyhound racing to protect animal welfare,’’ Mr Grant said.

The decision has blindsided industry bosses who are scrambling to meet for urgent damage control talks.

Greyhound Racing New South Wales media general manager Michael East admitted the Baird government had kept them in the dark about the report’s findings.

“We were aware the report had been handed down and that it was always an option but we had not been told it was going to happen,” he said.

“I just found out then. I need to talk to our CEO before saying anything.”

Matt Stewart: Why all forms of racing are now on notice

Immediate 7-day ban in NSW| 10,000 jobs threatened

Animal welfare groups hail greyhounds ban

125 live bait charges in Vic | Accused try to stop footage

Appeal in face-punch trainer case | Sponsor pulls out

In response to the government announcement, Tabcorp said NSW greyhound racing represents around 5 per cent of the company’s total wagering turnover.

“However, Tabcorp expects a significant level of substitution will occur to other wagering

product, such as thoroughbred racing, harness racing, sport and animated racing,” a spokesman said.

“Tabcorp’s media business, Sky Racing, will work with other Australian and international

racing industry bodies to source alternative racing product.”

From July 1 next year the government will roll out a transition plan for the NSW greyhound industry, including:

— A welfare plan for existing greyhounds, including opportunities for rehoming;

— An adjustment package for industry participants; and

— A transition arrangement for existing Greyhound Racing NSW assets that will ensure they are used for open public space, alternative sporting facilities or other community use.

The government will prepare and consult on legislation to be presented to Parliament to cease the industry’s operation and to appoint an administrator for Greyhound Racing NSW.

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.

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.

The full inquiry can be viewed here.

​​Call 1800 812 115 for more information about support services for existing greyhounds and industry participants or visit theOffice of Racing website

Punters at the Dapto dogs.

Originally published as NSW greyhound racing industry to be shut down from 2017