Premier Mike Baird’s decision to ban greyhound racing from July 1, 2017, has been met with strong responses from both sides of the argument.
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Mr Baird announced the ban last week in response to the report of a special commission of inquiry into the greyhound racing industry, established in the wake of an ABC Four Corners investigation which revealed practices such as live baiting within the industry.
The inquiry found that around 10 to 20 per cent of greyhound trainers use live baiting and further, that up to 68,000 dogs a year are killed because they are “uncompetitive”.
The report put forward two options: That greyhound racing no longer be permitted; or that the industry be reformed to improve transparency and governance and reduce the number of greyhound deaths.
Mr Baird, answering criticism of his decision this week, stated that the industry has had many years to reform and has failed to do so and questioned whether it was capable of reforming.
The leader of NSW Opposition Luke Foley has called on the state government to clean up the industry by adopting the 79 recommendations of the inquiry, describing the ban as an attack on an working class industry which will result in a huge animal welfare problem.
Meanwhile, greyhound owners, breeders and trainers – the majority of whom love their dogs and treat them well – face the loss of income and investments in an industry which until now was not only condoned but supported by the state government, and the end of a recreational and social pursuit which has been enjoyed by many.
And despite Mr Baird’s assurance that the government will work with the RSPCA in the next year, re-homing the dogs owned by the state’s 6000 registered greyhound owners will be a massive challenge.
The Premier has declared that the economic and social costs of the greyhound ban are justified by the need to end an industry in which cruelty is “systemic” and of long standing.
“The culture of deception and mistreatment of dogs just ran too deep,” he said.
Although the greyhound ban is still subject of legislation being passed through Parliament, a backdown is unlikely. Rather than fighting the ban, industry supporters should concentrate on lobbying for adequate compensation for those whose livelihoods are affected, and ensuring that as many dogs as possible find safe homes.
