Greyhound trainers in New South Wales (NSW) say they were taken aback by suggestions their industry would face a government inquiry after allegations of animal welfare abuses.
The chief executive of Greyhound Racing NSW Rob Macaulay, resigned after a damaging report written by former chief veterinarian Alex Brittan.
It was alleged that two-thirds of greyhound deaths had been excluded from official reports, and thousands of dogs recorded as being rehomed as pets, were instead, kept in industrial kennels.
Two-time Million Dollar Chase conditioner Peter Lagogiane said he and his peers treated their animals like their own children.
“As for somebody saying we mistreat them, nothing could be further from the truth,” he told The Epoch Times.
“If we see someone flying foul of the rules, of course, we’re going to stand up, speak up, and step in.”
Brittan’s report alleged that greyhounds were being forced to race at unsustainable levels which led to high stress, injury, and death.
Response to Brittan Report
NSW Premier Chris Minns ruled out shutting down the industry and said the report would be investigated.“Look, we’re not going to shut down the industry but we do take this report seriously,” Minns told reporters.
“And I know that it’s the minister [who] is assessing the criticisms ... they’ll be investigated, they’ll be fully investigated.”
Left-wing minor parties were quick to condemn the industry, with NSW Upper House Greens MP Abigail Boyd calling it “corrupt.”
Meanwhile, Animal Justice Party MPs Emma Hurst (from NSW) and Georgie Purcell (from Victoria), said she’d like to see greyhound racing shut down.
“Just this year, 40 greyhounds have been killed and 4,600 have been injured on NSW and Victorian greyhound racing tracks—and those are just the deaths and injuries we know about,” she said in a statement to The Epoch Times.
“Gambling and animals simply don’t mix, and the continuous animal welfare issues and high rates of injuries and deaths make it clear that this industry can’t operate without systemic cruelty.”
She also said a 2024 report by the Victorian Parliamentary Budget Office found that banning the industry would save Victorian taxpayers $90 million over four years.
Boyd was equally strong in her stance, and said the industry was beyond repair.
“The NSW greyhound racing industry was given a second chance in 2016, but it’s clear that it is incapable of being reformed,” she said in a statement last month.
“Time and time again, we have heard damning and well-documented evidence of cruel and corrupt practices across the industry including live baiting, doping, discarded greyhounds, cruel kennel conditions and fudged rehoming numbers.
Pressure Applied to Greyhounds Down South
Greyhound Racing Victoria’s response was that greyhound deaths had decreased by 51 percent over the past five years, with injury rates also down 19 percent.Group 1 Melbourne Cup and Australia Cup-winning trainer Anthony Azzopardi said he put countless hours and dollars into the health and welfare of his dogs.
“I love them. Look at the vehicles they travel in–they’re nearly $100,000 set-ups. They live in airconditioned homes. When it’s cold they’re warm. When it’s warm they’re cool,” he told The Epoch Times.
“Of course we love our greyhounds–it’s our life. I’ve built my life around these animals, and as many others have.”
Azzopardi added it was disheartening to read comments demanding his entire industry be shut down due to the alleged actions of a small number of rogue trainers.
“Why don’t they just do a little bit more homework? These are the only dogs in the world who get the care that they do.
Industry Already Struggling With Cost of Living
Top Victorian trainer Mark Delbridge said his industry peers were now facing a two-pronged threat from inflation, on top of the criticism against the industry.“It (cost of living) goes up every year. It’s nearly $2,500 a week just for food for the dogs. And it’s about $25,000 a year for fuel,” he told The Epoch Times.
“That’s not including registrations and insurance when you have 10 or 11 cars on the road. It adds up.”
Trainers in NSW appreciated a $60 entry fee for every dog they brought to a race, brought in from 2022 to assist them with cost-of-living pressures.
Yet the Brittan report alleges this only increases injury rates because it encourages trainers to race greyhounds as often as possible.
“This travel subsidy has had, in my opinion, the greatest negative effect on race injury rates of any policy to date. It needs to be stopped or heavily amended immediately,” he wrote.
Lagogiane said some animals did have niggling injuries, but noted it was not unusual.
“Have you seen a footballer go in 100 percent with no injuries? Have you seen a car race without a ding in it?” he said. “It’s the same thing with the greyhounds.”
The Epoch Times contacted the offices of the Greens and Animal Justice Party for comment.
