I wish to comment on the front page story in CCN452 – Rally to ban greyhound racing.
I find it quite surprising that a dozen so-called passionate protestors can get front page coverage.
First and foremost, they spoke of ongoing cruelty and misconduct within the greyhound fraternity.
These people have no idea of how well greyhounds are cared for 24 hours a day by their owners.
They are walked three times a day, they are taken to specially licensed tracks, they are fed the best of diets and regularly checked by qualified greyhound vets, they are given baths, wormed, fully vaccinated and raced – which, by the way, they love doing.
There are thousands of greyhounds in Australia – it’s great to see so many going to private homes as we all know they make wonderful pets, but what happens to the rest?
What happens to the hundreds of businesses that rely on the greyhound industry for their living and the employees?
These people really have no idea of how well off greyhounds are compared to a lot of other breeds.
I have been walking greyhounds for more than 50 years as have many others and, believe me, they are the only reason we are still active and alive.
Please, protesters, make sure of your facts before accusing us greyhound people of being cruel to greyhounds.
Most of the accusations are false and put up by certain organisations to achieve their goal.
Greyhound racing is like many other sports – sometimes there are injuries.
Would you stop your son or daughter from playing soccer or footy or any other sport because they might get hurt?
Please let us enjoy our beloved greyhounds in peace.
Email, Aug 24
Bill DeGuara, Woongarrah
children have a say if they want to do sports or not.
86 track deaths for 2024 so far.
7540 track injuries. (all reported by racing Stewards and varified)
not to mention the untold damage the gambling industry causes to families across Australia.
id certainly stop my child playing that sport if it had a fatality rate like that. no sport should have a death rate.
congratulations at doing the minimum standard of pet ownership of worming and feeding quality food.
I’ve only watched one greyhound race, and the total lack of emotional connection between dogs and their owners was heartbreaking. All dogs had large sections of missing hair/raw skin (rear/hindquarters – was covered by their vests, was visible from a distance as soon as they were taken off). All dogs looked visibly gaunt. I asked why the dogs were all being “encouraged” to wee while on the walk back from the track, and was surprised to find out they’d also have been dehydrated to lower their weight. There was zero “joy” apparent in any of the dogs, none of them appeared to be passionate about racing. And the noise the rabbit makes; the frequency that’s higher than human ears can hear, that appears to be one of the antagonists needed to get dogs running faster and harder than they otherwise would. As well as the increasing speed of the rabbit right towards the end of the race, the sudden forced stop was super unsettling and jarring. overall, 0/10. Definitely would not be interested in returning to watch or bet on Greyhound races; I don’t believe anyone who genuinely loves dogs would! Dogs deserve (and need) more than the regular walks/quality food/vet checks, etc.. They deserve to be loved!
Noni Kay, You went to a Greyhound racetrack and watched one race. You say the noise that the rabbit makes is higher than the human ear can hear, yet you heard it? The rabbit makes no noise. The rabbit speeds up towards the end of the race so as the Greyhounds won’t run into the barrier that blocks them, allowing the trainers to catch them.
I have owned and raced Greyhounds, and worked as a penciller for a Bookmaker at the Greyhounds for many years, and in my experience the races and care of the Greyhounds is exceptional. You do not know what you are talking about.
Hi Bill,
People who love their greyhounds don’t force them to race… they let their dogs be pets, not bets.
The ongoing mistreatment of greyhounds and the failures of the industry’s regulation were made clear in the recent report by the ex-Chief Vet of Greyhound Racing NSW. This industry has lost its social licence to operate.
Over the first eight months of 2024, GWIC, the NSW greyhound racing industry’s own regulator has laid 139 charges against 64 NSW participants. These included: Misconduct/improper conduct/abusive behaviour (50 charges), Substances (drugging) (46 charges), Breach of rules and regulations (24), Failure to provide adequate care/vet care (9), Failure to keep health/treatment records (7) and Failure to maintain clean/sanitary/safe kennels (3 charges).
Not a lot of love there.
Responsible dog owners should have the freedom to enjoy time with their beloved pet greyhounds… but an industry which forces animals to race in order to create footage for gambling should be shut down.
The multiple charges laid by GWIC against multiple participants every year as well as the horrific contents of Dr Brittan’s report confirms my views that this “industry” stinks.
Mike Baird was ironically shouted down by the left when he attempted to shut down the industry. Now the left want it shut down. They should of swallowed their pride and got behind him.
Unfortunately some of my comments were left out for example that they are wormed regularly they are vetted before every race, The idea that that particular writer wrote regarding large sections of patches of missing hairs,etc ar highly exxagerated If this was the case they would not be allowed to race They are wormed regularly and checked for injuries by highly accredired greyhound vets they are fed the best of diets .The reason the baird ban was rejected was because most of the lies told about the industry were exposed In the MCUGH REPORT AND PROVEN to be blatant made up lies some were for incidents that never ever happened in australia,so please do not tell me that greyhounds are being badly treated of course there are some remote incidents which are quickly attended to and participants are heavily dealt with even life suspensions,There is more but it obviously won’t be believed because some people cannot or will not believe the truth about the care taken by greyhound people for their greyhounds,and by the way why is’nt horse racing ever mentioned about cruelty ,Racing , use of the whip, gelding etc, I tell you why because only the wealthy can afford to race a horse,