The RSPCA has called for a national ban on greyhound racing after the NSW Government announced a statewide ban from July next year.
But animal rights groups also voiced concerns that the banning could result in thousands of dogs being euthanased or sold overseas and potentially abused.
The NSW Government said the ban is based on evidence of animal cruelty including live baiting, over-exertion, injuries and mass killings within the greyhound racing industry.
The RSPCA said greyhounds had been regarded as disposable objects for too long, and all states and territories should read the report and follow suit.
“All of the problems that have been identified in New South Wales are also based on the evidence occurring nationally and so this is why we need a national ban in place,” RSPCA’s Dr Jade Norris said.
What now for the dogs?
The RSPCA and the Animal Welfare League said they would work with the Government to provide support for the re-homing of the dogs.
Animal Welfare League CEO Andrew Maso said it was important the Government provided assistance to the industry to avoid the dogs being sold overseas.
He said Greyhound Racing NSW would have to approve euthanasia, but there may not be any constraints on it.
But he said he had “no doubt” other states would also ban greyhound racing.
Top Comments
More jobs gone! It's not only jobs in the greyhound industry but it will also affect pet food suppliers, the local vet etc, etc. This sport is many people's livelihood and to take that away....well it won't just be the greyhounds who lose their lives.
So when are they going to look that closely at horse racing? "Over-exertion, injuries and mass killings" all occur within horse racing too. There are only so many cute riding ponies that society can absorb (and then they lose interest and the poor things spend years being ignored in agistment paddocks). I've never understood the sentiment that quarantines horses from rational debates be they about animal training (like when the ACT banned animal circuses), racing or culling in the wild.