The Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) will review allegations about various matters involving Greyhound Racing NSW’s (GRNSW) Wyee rehoming facility, which was closed without notice on May 20 to be repurposed.
Employees were shocked when CEO Rob Macaulay announced the facility would be repurposed as part of an organisational reset to reduce costs and streamline business efficiencies due to tough trading and market conditions.
About 20 people were sacked on the spot and informed the facility would be developed as a home base for retired NSW greyhounds identified for rehoming in the US and would be managed by a welfare logistics partner.
Minister for Gaming and Racing and Member for Wyong David Harris said the allegations being reviewed related to the care of greyhounds at the facility.
GWIC will review allegations relating to: greyhound accommodation at the Wyee facility; alleged injuries to greyhounds housed at the facility; and the GRNSW management’s response to animal welfare concerns raised by staff at the facility.
Harris has requested the review and asked GWIC to provide a report to the Minister in accordance with section 12(e) of the Greyhound Racing Act 2017 by July 5.
GRNSW was established under the Act.
Its statutory functions include registering greyhound racing clubs, developing safety standards for licensed racecourses and managing greyhound adoption programs, among others.
“The NSW Government and wider community need to have confidence that the industry is being run with the highest standards of animal welfare, integrity and sustainability,” Harris said.
“While GRNSW is not a government organisation, with its CEO and Board responsible for its operation, I’ve received information relating to Wyee and the welfare of greyhounds under its care.
“These allegations require further review, as they have the potential to undermine public trust and integrity in the industry.
“As the industry’s regulator, GWIC is best placed to look into these matters and report back to me to inform my consideration of any appropriate next steps,” Harris said.