Petition to save greyhound racing in NSW gathering steam

An online petition demanding the reconsider a ban on greyhound racing has gathered close to 7000 signatures in a few hours.

The shell-shocked industry is in disbelief after NSW Premier and Racing Minister Troy Grant announced the industry would be shut down on July 1, next year.

Soon after the ACT followed suit, but this was hardly a surprise given they only have one track and much of the governance comes from New South Wales. The decision blindsided most in the community and is based off a Special of Inquiry's launched after was found to be rife in the industry.

Despite many positive changes surrounding being made by Greyhound Racing New South Wales over the last year, Baird delivered his verdict on the industry to parliament with a minimum of consultation with colleagues, drawing the ire of the opposition leader Luke Foley.

“I think Mr Baird's jumped the gun,” Foley told Fairfax . “Michael McHugh has put forward 80 recommendations to improve the industry and his first recommendation was that parliament should discuss whether the industry ought to be shut down.

“The Premier has pre-empted that parliamentary discussion by announcing the industry will just be shut down.”

Greyhound identities from the embattled state have come out in defence of their sport, with many urging fellow participants and racing fans in general to get behind the Change.org petition.

“I have been around the industry my whole life,” Jessica Britton, a breeder from NSW, wrote.

“I now own a breeding and rearing facility. How am I going to make the mortgage repayments on my property if I can no longer operate my business.

“What will happen to mine and my family's livelihood? I have no problem with severe punishments for those doing the wrong thing but don't tarnish us all with the same brush.”

Greyhound racing banned

Other racing fans are worried thoroughbreds will be targeted by anti-gambling and animal welfare groups next.

“I love this sport and the I have with my dogs,” Christina Wintrell, an industry participant, wrote.

“It can be a beautiful thing as like any thing there are a few bad apples but its not fair to the rest to suffer for consequences of others and if you stop greyhound racing then its a step towards the end of .”

The owner of this website and long time greyhound racing participant, horse owner and businessman Kevin Pitstock said the racing codes need to present a united front or they would fall on their sword.

“Make no mistake, this is not an attack on greyhound racing alone,” he said.

“This a concerted organised attack from a vocal minority who aim to end all racing.

“If greyhound racing falls, harness and horse racing will be next. All racing codes need to get behind the push to overturn this decision.”

Australian Racing Greyhound has received plenty of mail from people celebrating the decision.

“Ha. Good luck suckers. We shut you down and the horses are next,” one wrote on social media.

You can show your support for the greyhound industry, which includes over 15,000 participants, at Change.org

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chrisfj
chrisfj
7 years ago

What we have all witnessed this week is a travesty of justice for those in the industry doing the right thing and treating their dogs better than some humans.

I am disgusted and appalled that their rights were not considered.

I have to explain to my young children who have been crying over this, “why won’t they let the dogs run daddy”

We need an urgent review of this decision and mediation undertaken first before any further damage is caused.

StrengthCompassion
StrengthCompassion
7 years ago

You have to be kidding. You are using these animals as slaves for your own benefit. Get a real job. Get a real hobby. Spend your money on something useful and beneficial to society and family – not gambling. Maybe even spend it on an education.