Macro Meats withdraws support of greyhound industry in wake of shocking live baiting scandal

GREYHOUND racing’s biggest sponsor, Macro Meats, has withdrawn its support of the industry in the wake of the shocking live baiting scandal. WARNING: Disturbing video footage

GREYHOUND racing’s biggest sponsor, Macro Meats, has withdrawn its support of the industry in the wake of the shocking live-baiting scandal.

The South Australian company, which specialises in kangaroo meat, was the naming-rights holder for major Group 1 races across the nation, including the $107,500 Adelaide Cup and $475,000 Golden Easter Egg, but has stopped all sponsorship immediately after the shocking revelations of animal cruelty.

The entire board of Greyhound Racing NSW and its CEO were told to resign or be sacked last night by Deputy Premier And Racing Minister Troy Grant in the wake of the live baiting scandal.

Mr Grant was telephoning the five board members last night to demand their resignations after a further two raids on greyhound owners yesterday.

The raids involving NSW police and the RSPCA led to three more greyhound trainers being stood down pending further investigations into alleged live baiting offences.

Macro meats managing director Ray Borda is regarded by industry insiders as the biggest individual supporter of greyhound racing in Australia. It has been estimated that he invests well over a quarter of a million dollars in the sport every year.

Borda, a passionate greyhound enthusiast, says the decision was easy and admits he was sickened once he saw the animal cruelty — aired on ABC current affairs program Four Corners after being videotaped by animal rights activists — that still goes on in some parts of the country.

“I base my business, my principles, on animal welfare, always have,” he said.

“I’ve been out there and engaging with the RSPCA and everyone else and for this to come to light was a shock to me.

“I had no hesitation the next morning to call all the (greyhound industry) CEOs personally and tell them, and then put it in writing to them, and they all understood.

“It wasn’t a hard decision, because the footage was damning.”

Mr Borda has been involved dogs racing for decades, remaining active as an owner and breeder, and is very upset with what has been exposed in the past few days.

“I rang every one of my trainers and said ‘tell me — is this a practice that you have done in the past?’ They all said no,” Borda said.

“Right now I don’t feel like having greyhounds. I know I’ll get over it, greyhounds are lovely animals but they’ve been made to look like monsters. It’s not fair.

“I thought I was a pretty hard and fast business person, but it’s hit me pretty hard.

“I would like to be part of the solution, but I have to sit back for a bit.”

Mr Borda believes there’s a chance he’ll return and support to the sport he’s invested so heavily in, but there would have to be major changes.

“If the RSPCA is happy, I’d probably be happy (to return). I’ve got a lot of respect for them,” he said.

“That would be one of my major gauges. Things have to change.

“I thought this went out with fox hunting. I had no idea that people were still practising live baiting.

“If there’s one person out there doing it, it’s too many.”

While disappointed with the decision, Greyhound Racing SA chief executive Matt Corby says it’s completely understandable given Macro Meats’ business.

“Despite the industry’s clear position to the reprehensible activity we saw on Monday night, from a perception perspective, it is understandable that any business would have issues aligning with us,” Mr Corby said.

“Our job is to address comprehensively the issue and establish an acceptable and responsible vision for the industry.”

Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting said he was horrified and devastated to see his beloved greyhound industry “smeared by the actions of a minority”.

Ponting’s dog, Rumbling Rick had been trained by disgraced trainer Mr Darren McDonald for two months.

“It’s absolutely critical that the offenders be dealt with decisively and steps taken immediately to stamp out all live baiting,” Ponting said.

AFL champion Jonathon Brown also quit as an ambassador for greyhound racing in Queensland.