11 July 2016

The Premier’s decision to shut down greyhound racing in NSW from 1 July 2017 is most welcome. This decision follows the damning report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into the greyhound industry set up following longstanding community campaigns and repeated exposure of gross and systemic animal cruelty and illegal activity. Vested interests were allowed to ‘self-regulate’, covering up mass killings of dogs they called ‘wastage’, live baiting, catastrophic race injuries and repeated reform failures.

The shutdown includes a welfare plan for greyhounds, an industry support package and a commitment that racing assets remain available for open public space, sporting facilities or other community use. Inner city communities will be concerned that Wentworth Park remains for sport and recreation use. The report is HERE.

I encourage anyone thinking of a greyhound as a pet to look at rehoming a greyhound over the next year as the industry prepares to decide the future of the 6,800 registered dogs through groups like www.rspcansw.org.au and www.gapnsw.org.au.

The industry adoption body is holding an adoption day at Wentworth Park Saturday 16 July 10am-2pm. Information HERE.