What has the greyhound industry learned from the ban?

IT has been a tumultuous year for the sport of greyhound racing in New South Wales.

Things seemed to be looking up following on from the scandal in 2015. A wide range of reforms were introduced to optimise and integrity conditions and participants became more aware of the requirements needed for the sport to meet community expectations.

Breeding was down, rehoming was up, and yet none of this was taken into consideration on July 7 when announced his government's plan to shut down the sport.

Looking back, I don't think there is anyway the Premier could have known what an enormous impact his announcement would have.

The son of a politician, Mr Baird lives in a different world to greyhound folk, and paired with his cohort of shore Liberals and inner city Greens, how could they relate to the day-to-day lives of the industry's battlers?

Teamed with this, the Special Commission of Inquiry report was damning, especially to those who had no reason to believe it was prejudiced.

Imagine not knowing anything about an industry and then being told of those horrific figures – up to 70 per cent wastage and as many as 68,000 dogs killed over the past 12 years.

Since then, the industry has been able to prove bias within the report and discredit many of those figures, however when your government spends 15 months and $15 million on a report, Baird was doomed to insult, no matter what his next move was.

Deputy Premier Troy Grant's move to back the Premier was painful for the industry. As the leader of the , Grant should have stood up for his regional constituents, however it was left to three brave Nats MPs to cross the floor in August in order to send a message to the government that it's decision was the wrong one.

Thankfully, the industry was able to , and with public and political pressure, the Premier backflipped on his original decision. But where to next?

When announcing the reversal on October 11, the Premier also confirmed the establishment of a newly-formed Greyhound Industry Panel.

Made up of five members, only one of those is from the greyhound industry (the GBOTA's Brenton Scott), with the others being from the RSPCA, the Department of the Premier, the Department of Primary Industries and, of course, former Premier .

But can the industry feel safe with these people in charge?

The RSPCA celebrated the announcement that the industry was being banned back in July, whilst the day after the reversal was made official, another message was shared on the 's Facebook page, urging the Premier to ‘Bring Back the Ban'.

Since then, this post has been deleted and replaced with another message from RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman announcing he will be a part of the panel.

However, part of this post also expressed disappointment in the change in policy.

Whilst agreeing that animal welfare needs to be front and centre for the industry moving forward, how can the sport reform with people working on the inside who have publicly campaigned against it?

It would be like employing a vegan to manage a knackery — personal beliefs are always going to create a bias — it just won't work.

The panel needed an independent person who is passionate about animal welfare, not an animal rights organisation such as the RSPCA — there is a big difference.

In essence, animal welfare ensures living creatures are cared for following a range of humane guidelines – whereas animal rights dictates animals cannot be used for food, clothing or entertainment – no matter how well they are nurtured.

It's hard to believe the RSPCA will ever do anything other than condemn greyhound racing – no matter how many reforms are successfully undertaken.

And yet the organisation has now been tethered to the industry.

Add this to the fact that the industry has one representative up against two government appointed members, one former Premier and an anti-racing mob.

It's four against one from the outset and it is arguable the sole agent for the dishlickers isn't even a true representative for the entire cross section of greyhound racing.

While Brenton Scott has done a fine job campaigning for the ban to be overturned as a part of the NSW Greyhound Racing Industry , at the end of the day he is the CEO of the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA).

While it is a member-based association, the GBOTA's main responsibility is managing a selection of racetracks – so where does the individual fit into the equation? Who will look after the trainers, owners and participants, particularly those not linked to the GBOTA, and make sure their thoughts and ideas are taken into consideration?

And what about transparency? Will the industry and public have any idea in regards to what is being discussed about the industry before recommendations and restrictions are decided upon? Or will we just have to deal with what we are dealt?

The industry has not had a racing board since it was removed following the live baiting scandal. I understand the structure of the sport may change dramatically at the end of the panel's work, but in the interim we should have one to protect the needs of the whole industry, not just a sector, and this board should have been represented on the panel to ensure every man, woman and greyhound had their interests covered.

Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful that the industry has been given another crack and I do think things need to change, particularly in regards to animal welfare and integrity.

However, I am very concerned about what has been set in place already and what will be decided for the future.

Call me a pessimist, call me a troublemaker, but it would be wrong for me to sit back and say nothing when I hold these concerns.

By speaking out, I hope to send a message that the industry is tired of being walked over.

Here's hoping the government is finally ready to listen.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
202 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Hugh_
Hugh_
7 years ago

John Tracey Hugh_ Deborah555 lone widow spyman jeff holland John I think there is truth in what you say.  I guess the words I would use to describe loyalty to oneself would be living in a way that is consistent with one’s own morals.  I think it is often the case in life that when we are backed into a corner and forced to make a decision we learn something about ourselves, we discover what really matters to us.  But I do not think there is one defining moment like this for a person in life, I think people often have many moments like this,… Read more »

lone widow
lone widow
7 years ago

Hugh_ lone widow spyman Deborah555 I think the one thing that Mike Baird doesn’t realize is that the ban has probably saved greyhound racing.  The welfare standards have completely turned the corner.

Your second question, i think the majority of ‘the honest’ participants are happy with the outcome.  For me personally on drug use for the life of me i don’t see why a ‘Lance Armstrong’ solution could not apply to the greyhounds.  Basically the deterrent would be the confiscation of all past prize money which would have an immediate effect.

But i don’t have a legal mind.

John Tracey
John Tracey
7 years ago

Hugh_ John Tracey Deborah555 lone widow spyman jeff holland Hugh thanks for staying with this, I am struggling a bit as your definition of a moment of truth takes in the classical meaning of the word and I think that the way I understand the term may be romantic and closer to Epiphany as defined as a sudden and profound understanding of something. I must have got the term moment of truth out of some classic and to me it means a situation where you don’t have time to think and you do something on instinct. ie confronting  a menacing sawn off shotgun for the first… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
7 years ago

jeff holland Hugh_ Hi Jeff I missed your post earlier , Just on the prevention of cruelty to animals (humans) If the crew left on the corvette had rifles and could have shot the crew trying to escape the burning oil when all hope was gone should they have shot them to prevent unnecessary cruelty.? I am interested in your remarks on the need to accurately define words as well. The Prevention of cruelty to animals NsW acts uses the term unnecessary pain in places rather than unnecessary cruelty. this suggests that pain is immediate. People can not enter debates of… Read more »

D123
D123
7 years ago

John Tracey Mad Panda That’s very disrespectful to all the independent rescue groups that keep many greyhounds alive and find them homes.  They get no support or money from the greyhound racing industry and are usually members of the public putting their own money and lives into rehoming ‘wastage’ from the greyhound racing industry.  These people and rescue groups are trying to help your industry, if not for them the greyhound industry would look even worse than it does.  How many greyhounds did GAP NSW rehome in 2014/2015, 179 greyhounds.  And how many greyhounds did they rehome in 2013/2014, 81 greyhounds. … Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda Hi D123, Thanks for your reply. I put all retired greyhounds of mine on commercial greyhound farms when I could not handle them personally myself and regularly inspected the premises. I realise everyone cannot do this. I did not say that all independent rescue groups I said community groups. I do not know what legal basis an independent rescue group is. The GAP program is run under a statutory body and should be required to compete with similar services provided by race clubs and in your case unfunded are they unincorporated bodies. This is simple competition policy… Read more »

D123
D123
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda I guess it is up to Mad Panda to clarify, but based on their other posts I am pretty sure when they used the term ‘community groups’ they were talking about rescue groups. If you call for donations in regards to greyhound welfare you are not necessarily receiving funding targeted at greyhound racing at all, much of the donations that rescue groups receive are from people not involved in the industry at all but want to prevent greyhounds being killed.  If your point was that if a rescue group was to call for donations/financial support from the industry… Read more »

BJoe
BJoe
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda Hey ‘Mad Panda’, do you just focus on ‘greyhound welfare’?  Do you worry about the many other breed of dogs that are considered ‘wastage’ buy their breeders or owners? or are you chasing a ’cause celebre’ that is the current flavour?  I ask these questions because there are many other breeds that have the interest of ‘rescue’ groups.  ‘Working Dogs’ on farms throughout Australia are but one.  Their are Collie, St Bernard, German Shepherd and a host of other breeds that are abandoned or surrendered to pounds, not to mention the number of dogs dumped by their… Read more »

Deborah555
Deborah555
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda  There are many genuine people within the rehoming community groups. I myself donate to two of them that I know are all about rehoming and the money is actually spent on the dogs, despite the fact I keep all of my own with me. I would actually prefer some one from one of these groups to replace the CEO of the RSPCA on the reform board as they would be aware of the needs and money required to rehome as many dogs as possible. Some one of course without a political agenda who believe that money should… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda Thanks for your reply I have checked as legally as I can with my obligations under the various secrecy acts I have been subject to and I am pleased to answer some of your questions in detail. My knowledge in regards to rescue groups os generally what I can glean of the public record and through google and also talking to the groups at the various public hearings and in some cases at their protest meetings. My meaning for community groups for the purposes of my posts is A group under a” social licence” by Government where… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
7 years ago

D123 Mad Panda (continuation) My advice to the outside community groups not incorporated and seeking funding would be to become a sub committee under an incorporated association or company with a social licence (if you re already not doing this, where you keep some independence but receive yur funding from the consolidated funding first charge from the parent body. This situation still involves some tensions but I dont think that public funding (Government) needs the comfort of incorporation today. The Doctor I spoke of wrote a book explaining his difficulties with his imbalance and advised para staff on the dangers of… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
7 years ago

123. Reply continued. My advice to the outside community groups not incorporated and seeking funding would be to become a sub committee under an incorporated association or company with a social licence (if you re already not doing this, where you keep some independence but receive yur funding from the consolidated funding first charge from the parent body. This situation still involves some tensions but I dont think that public funding (Government) needs the comfort of incorporation today. The Doctor I spoke of wrote a book explaining his difficulties with his imbalance and advised para staff on the dangers of… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
7 years ago

BJoe D123 John Tracey Mad Panda Hi BJoe, Just continuing my original reply. D123 in summary. Your network where it is a community group under my definition, Needs to become a sub committee or a branch of a parent body (if it is not already) and receive first charge funding  through consolidated funding of the parent. This will give you a degree of freedom and funding as well.Also the stress management I have mentioned is not exceptional to any group. Para Medics get it on the site from experts in traumatic situations and there is evidence of mental tension in anything to do… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
7 years ago

Deborah555 D123 John Tracey Mad Panda Hi Deborah I am glad you made that distinction, I am misunderstood. People who are sensitive enough to become mentally unbalanced with stress, depressed , manic or otherwise are usually great people themselves and there are plenty of them throughout welfare and also amongst the greyhound population itself. It is just a functional problem  not a worth problem. Australia was founded on administrators/Governors being either lemons or fruitcakes. Everyone hoped the Governor’s they got were fruitcakes. Unfortunately when any of us are on a mental roll we are high maintenance and personally I can cope with this,… Read more »

BobWhitelaw
BobWhitelaw
7 years ago

John Tracey Mad Panda John   yes i agree that some activities  by all groups in the K9 world have been below par, and more  work needs to be  done in the area of Animal welfare and prolonging the life of all K9s no matter what breed they are. The situation of which the Greyhounds  find themselves in NSW   should be a wake-up call for all breeds of dogs right across Australia and show we do care about our K9s. John what makes me cranky  with some that try to blame the majority of decent dog owners for the cruelty… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
7 years ago

I have decided to remove a few of my posts off the site. 

In the end to be viable we need a lot of negotiation with the wider public and a joint effort across the board to meet public expectations.

The exisiting clubs and race courses can be used to provide infrastructure and greyhound services. Also all controlling bodies of canines and companion animals need to lift their game as well.

I am worried about the risk of a lack of focus on the Orange Bi-Election as well.

D123
D123
7 years ago

BobWhitelaw John Tracey Mad Panda I have not quoted any 2016 figures because they have not been released yet.

lone widow
lone widow
7 years ago

We’ve learned to be ready Katherine.  Another assault (attempted) in WA read this.

There going Australia wide.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-30/rspca-attacks-wa-greyhound-industry-euthanasia-rates/7976544

BobWhitelaw
BobWhitelaw
7 years ago

D123 BobWhitelaw John Tracey Mad Panda D123 Since the sacking of the CEO and the Board ,Newson’s implementation of reform when appointed was moving in the right direction as far animal welfare was concern .The Newly  appointed Reform Manager  Wayne Billett was moving  quickly with reforms that were urgently needed  in the code and they were working ,then came galloping in Baird and Grant and shut down the industry, administrator appointed, then apology, we got it wrong, administrator shuts down the Industry Reform program Billett moved side ways so the figures for 2016 could be another guess. So D123 with industry  reform put… Read more »

D123
D123
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda Firstly, without any ‘awareness’ there would be no reform and there would be absolutely no improvement in animal welfare from the greyhound racing industry.  As you have clearly pointed out, in the past little or no action has been taken by GRNSW in terms of animal welfare complaints or animal cruelty.  The killing of greyhounds would also not have been addressed without the awareness of the public.  GRNSW is the fox running the hen house and whatever your beliefs on whether greyhound racing is right or wrong, having an industry that self-regulates (answering to no-one) and has… Read more »

Deborah555
Deborah555
7 years ago

lone widow  Yes the greens candidates have been carrying on in Tasmania and South Australia (do these green  pollies actually have an economic policy or are the tax payers paying them to repeat a job the stewards and racing boards do anyway they are simply using the racing board information and twisting it to their own agenda) The RSPCA in Victoria have been told by the government to get back in their box and get on with their job which is animal welfare not funding the campaigns of greens and animal activist candidates. The RSPCA was a once respected organisation… Read more »

Deborah555
Deborah555
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda Activists groups producing distressing and very selective footage and not spending a cent on an animal from the millions in tax free donations-  It suggests that cruelty is an event only known by special animal activists and the rest of the ignorant uninformed need to be told it smacks of “self righteousness”  when in actual fact every adult on the planet knows you have to kill an animal to eat it’s meat and it is not a pleasant thing they just do not want it thrust in their faces, given that life is cruel most people chose to… Read more »

D123
D123
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda Like I said in my previous post, without ‘awareness’ live-baiting would not have been brought to light, nor the overbreeding and the unecessary killing of greyhounds.  More greyhounds have and will be rehomed due to ‘awareness’, surely that is what you want, is it not? The greyhound industry can continue to blame others all they want but the fact of the matter is that they historically have done nothing meaningful to address animal welfare issues and have managed to avoid any scrutiny until the past couple of years.  That is why the industry finds itself in the… Read more »

lone widow
lone widow
7 years ago

Deborah555 lone widow Absolutely Deborah.

The RSPCA the Greens and the Animal activists have no idea about greyhound racing or the participants or the dogs themselves.  My two 17 months old have just qualified to nominate which has given a 72 year old pensioner a new lease of life and the pups (as i call them) are thoroughly loving every minute of what they do. Happy puppies isn’t that what we’re about?

Deborah555
Deborah555
7 years ago

lone widow Deborah555  It is certainly my main agenda lone widow. I would have thought anyone donating to the RSPCA does it because they care about animals with the expectation it was to feed or possibly rehome an animal-  if you want to donate to a political party or candidate you would donate directly to them they all have web pages with donate here. On the Animals Australia web page there is no way to comment whatsoever but their DONATE HERE is very prominent.

BJoe
BJoe
7 years ago

Deborah555 lone widow

I would dearly love to know how many and how much the RSPCA’s executive staff, including the red headed rooster on his high 6 figure salary, actually contribute to the ‘charitable Organisation’ that employs them.

John Tracey
John Tracey
7 years ago

D123 BobWhitelaw John Tracey Mad Panda D123, I have received your latest post off line and do not know how to reply to it off line. Thanks for reading my posts and asking questions. I am sorry if you think that I am hogging the site too much but I only contribute to this site and The Roar and I find it useful for market and historical research. I have taken off the posts that might be regarded as unhelpful and because welfare people inside of greyhound racing think I might be giving comfort to people who are in a state of inertia.… Read more »

Deborah555
Deborah555
7 years ago

BJoe Deborah555 lone widow  Bjoe the red setter does not just make a six salary income from that he is on numerous advisory boards where I would imagine he is paid his services  for that as well. He has a tafe qualification relating to inspection duties  and he was originally one of their inspectors his rise has been quite spectacular. The other board members have vet and law degrees. He is obviously a very ambitious man unlikely he would have cleaned out a kennel or picked up a poo all that  is done by volunteers working for nothing  who do actually care about animals.

Deborah555
Deborah555
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda  Check their new archives that was where I saw the information in a news article.

D123
D123
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda Just went through their news archives, no mention of a ,000 dog trailer being given to any community group.

lone widow
lone widow
7 years ago

Deborah555 BJoe lone widow Deborah, lets put all this welfare crap aside for a minute, I think it’s just a smoke screen.

Berate me for my criticism if you like but from where i’m sitting it looks like all the red sitters and the pollies and all the hangers on are after ‘JOBS FOR THE BOYS’. they are all after a slice of the ,000,000 greyhound pie.

Things will settle down when they all have their slice.

John Tracey
John Tracey
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda D123. The term awarenesss is defined as visibility in most learned publications/ The best reference is Animals equality and Democracy – Siobhan O’Sullivan. If you google this you will get pages of the book by permission of Springer and if you can afford it you can purchase it on e-book .07. The book not only covers the cruelty act but  two other associated acts, basically it states that an animals welfare is protected by its visibility. The original Acts covered experiments on animals in dark places. My point with you is that your network of animal welfare… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda Now your acting like a winner.cThe information might be contained in the annual reports of GRNSW used to be obtainable in about us on the to ribbon of http://www.thedogs.com.au. Apply for the information you require through the the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/giaa2009368/ Also google GIPA for guidance and contact GRNSWand ask for the information officer. Under the Act you can ask for an informal search which should get you the details you want. Otherwise you will need to apply under the Act formally called the freedom of information act. The act is now under… Read more »

D123
D123
7 years ago

John Tracey Mad Panda Thank you for backing up my comment on ‘awareness’ and the greyhound racing industry.  As I said before, without certain groups bringing ‘awareness’ or some visibility (as the term is defined as) to the practices of the greyhound industry, such as live-baiting, killing of greyhounds, drugging of dogs (just to name a few) the greyhound industry would have never attempted any reform.

Same could be said for greyhound breeders and trainers on an individual level, their practices are not visible to me.

John Tracey
John Tracey
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda Sorry but you have done what I hoped you not to and that is to cherry pick the information I gave you but at least you have the interest to continue the debate. What you are proposing is romantic and not in my opinion logical. There is always reform going on in any endeavour the greyhounds are more visible than other canine endeavours. The visibility allows the majority of people in greyhound racing to advance their welfare claims easier. You really need to research things better. I am running out of time on my other projects so… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
7 years ago

Deborah555 D123 John Tracey Mad Panda Deborah could you and other convey to D123 and Mad Panda that the converse of Visibility is that because greyhounds are so visible their is a good chance that the welfare of greyhounds is better handled than other aspects in the canine empire which have no reporting and very little oversight. The greyhound have to lift their game but so do all the other activities associated with animals. There is a wholistic approach. Visibility also includes physical matters as well like seeing animals in eating places, public transport, monuments, graveyards and crematorium. Monuments and Awards are top… Read more »

BobWhitelaw
BobWhitelaw
7 years ago

John Tracey D123 Mad Panda John done some cherry picking my self and yesterday watched a program on a horse stud in the Upper Hunter Valley, now there is a number of studs in the area of Scone .The Stud Master from one stud ,quoted that this breeding  season we will around 220 foals  breed this year ,John i wonder how many make the Track , maybe D 123 could tell us ?

BobWhitelaw
BobWhitelaw
7 years ago

John Tracey Deborah555 D123 Mad Panda Yes its easy for some to hide their identity behind a keyboard which is their right .John its also sad for them when they are living their life full of fear, Some would say its a sign of weakness in their stature  i tend to agree!

John Tracey
John Tracey
7 years ago

BobWhitelaw John Tracey Deborah555 Mad Panda  themHi Bob if avatars can sit in judgement of human beings from some delegation from the gods so I would not be asking to judge the great sport of horse racing anymore than I would regard their approaches to greyhounds. The horse welfare has advanced significantly since I was involved in it and it is to do with the greyhounds cross funding it. I now regard myself as functus officio (you can do just about anything on a internet site) as I need to assist the rural clubs in a log of claims to be delivered to the… Read more »

Deborah555
Deborah555
7 years ago

John Tracey BobWhitelaw Deborah555 Mad Panda  Brilliant John.

Deborah555
Deborah555
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda  I know it is not there but I knew you would enjoy not finding it and trying to prove me wrong. Try harder the information is available. HINT check a community welfare website.

Deborah555
Deborah555
7 years ago

BobWhitelaw John Tracey Deborah555 D123 Mad Panda  What I find astounding is their belief that have the right to know everything that everyone else does and then demand people justify themselves to them. Gen X I would say – great sense of entitlement.

Deborah555
Deborah555
7 years ago

lone widow Deborah555 BJoe  I agree lone widow quite a few lucrative positions coming up for grabs.

BobWhitelaw
BobWhitelaw
7 years ago

BobWhitelaw John Tracey Deborah555 D123 Mad Panda John, your a Legend

D123
D123
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda John, it has been good reading your comments and to be honest you make some interesting points, that is until you descended into the whole avatar thing and rather irrelevant topics such as China (which obviously I know of their lack of animal welfare and absence of rescue groups). 

As for ‘cherry-picking’ I have done only the same as you have done in your reply.   – You state that awareness is defined as visibility and that this means that animals are protected by their visibility.   – You then declare that animal welfare canine enterprises are not visible… Read more »

D123
D123
7 years ago

John Tracey Mad Panda Deborah, since you cannot provide the link (which surely you would do if it existed, as it would prove me wrong),  all I can presume is that you have read the GRNSW website about how they were offering ,000 to rehoming groups, that could be used for items such as dog trailers and decided to once again declare an incorrect statement.  I cannot say that I am surprised as you seem to do this a lot.

Deborah555
Deborah555
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda  What makes you think every bit of information can be googled?

D123
D123
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda I do not think every bit of information can be googled, that is why I asked you to provide me with the link.

lone widow
lone widow
7 years ago

Deborah555 lone widow BJoe Deborah, Katherine has asked us what we have learned from the ban. People of our generation have seen it happen many times over the years, the pollies need to make an impact, leave a legacy something that they will be remembered for, its in their nature. Am I the only one that can plainly see that Mike Baird has been groomed by the Libs as a likely prime minister in the near future? I do think that the Libs are as close to dictating as you can get, its only the Westminster system that has saved us so… Read more »

BobWhitelaw
BobWhitelaw
7 years ago

D123 John Tracey Mad Panda Rehoming up by 80% this year and building on those numbers ,well done owners.