‘We don’t need another inquiry’: Calls for greyhound racing to be banned following abuse allegations

NSW Racing Minister David Harris has announced an inquiry into greyhound racing, following more allegations of exploitation, suffering and deaths of animals.

Animal welfare advocates, however, say there’s no point in having another inquiry and it’s time to ban the sport.

According to media reports, a letter to Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) by its former chief veterinary office denounced the industry as “unsustainable”, claiming that dogs are pushed to race at levels that are leading to a rise in injuries and accusing GRNSW of concealing deaths from the public.

Animal Justice NSW MP Emma Hurst made this document public after obtaining it through a parliamentary request, but it was quickly made secret again after another industry regulator, the Greyhound Welfare Integrity Commission (GWIC), lodged a privilege claim to prevent its publication.

Nevertheless, the allegations were published in Nine media outlets on Tuesday (9 July). Later that day, GRNSW chief executive Robert Macaulay resigned from his position.

“We’re in the final process of setting up an independent inquiry to look at a whole range of issues, around definitions, around other issues that have been raised with us, not just through the chief vet report, but through greyhound clubs and other individuals,” Minister Harris told ABC on Wednesday (10 July).

Albury-based Animal Justice Party spokesman Mike Fuery wants to go a step further than an inquiry.

“How many chances does the industry get? They’ve had a number of chances to clean up their act. It’s an unsustainable industry from an animal cruelty perspective, we should be winding it up,” he said.

Lobby group the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds echoed these sentiments.

“While we’re glad the horror of greyhound racing is in the spotlight again, we don’t need another inquiry, we just need it shut down. It’s a dog-killing, gambling industry that can never be reformed.”

Greens MP Abigail Boyd criticised the NSW Government for ruling out banning the industry.

“It’s hard not to be cynical when this Minns Labor Government says it is sending an issue off to inquiry or review – they have done that with every difficult political issue since they were elected, trying to give the impression they are doing something about an issue the public cares about while actually sweeping it under an increasingly lumpy carpet.

“Minister Harris said the inquiry will be independent – but how can we take that seriously when the Premier has already pre-empted its findings and ruled out bringing this cruel industry to an end.”

Animal Justice MP Emma Hurst questioned what she called the “bizarre” behaviour of GWIC.

“GWIC has not explained why they want to keep this vet report hidden. Their decision is contrary to the public interest and not consistent with a body that is meant to be promoting animal welfare,” she said.

“GWIC’s last-minute claim for privilege over the vet report was bizarre and highly out of the ordinary – a total departure from proper parliamentary procedures.

“I can only assume this was a last-minute panic from GWIC – it’s clear the industry is completely panicked about the allegations in this report, and it is easy to see why.”

GWIC is one of two regulatory bodies that runs the industry. It was set up to protect animal welfare, while GRNSW was established to manage commercial activities.

Ms Hurst also wants an inquiry, but not in the form proposed by Minister Harris.

“There have been damning reports about what is occurring in the greyhound racing industry. Any inquiry must be open and transparent – an investigation conducted behind closed doors, which the industry can try to sweep under the rug, isn’t going to cut it,” she said.

“That is why I am calling for an Upper House inquiry into the greyhound racing industry, where these allegations can be properly investigated in a public forum and where whistleblowers can come forward. Anything less fails to recognise the seriousness of these allegations.”