Bondi Vet’s Kate Adams demands Minister phase out grey hound racing in NSW
Bondi Vet’s Kate Adams has joined calls to end greyhound racing in NSW, labelling the industry a “shameful embarrassment” after its alleged failure to address animal welfare concerns.
In a letter to the Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris, Dr Adams said while the industry has had significant time to correct animal welfare issues, it has “failed to make any improvements”.
Dr Adams requested Mr Harris move to “phase out” greyhound racing in NSW “for good”.
Her calls come less than a month after the release of the GRNSW Chief Veterinary report, in which the state’s former Greyhound Racing chief veterinary officer Alex Brittan revealed the “barbaric” treatment of dogs, who were allegedly being raced at unsustainable levels.
Brittan alleged greyhounds who were supposedly being rehomed were instead being “trapped in the industry” and left to live out the rest of their lives in commercial kennels.
He further claimed dogs within the industry were dying at significantly high rates and sighted widespread and persistent reporting and oversight failures.
Former GRNSW chief executive officer Rob Macauley resigned from his position the same day the report was made public.
A veterinarian of 17 years, Dr Adams said she has witnessed first-hand the “immense wastage and disrespect of life that underpins” the industry that is largely self regulated. .
“Perfectly healthy, young dogs are put to sleep or left to die in inhumane conditions
because they can no longer race or aren’t performing on the track – not to mention the
dogs that are never raced (and never registered),” she wrote.
“These dogs are often euthanized under thinly veiled excuses by owners – idiopathic deaths, snake bites, financial hardship and are often either not reported or reported incorrectly.”
Dr Adams said while she understands efforts have been made to put an end to the practice of “bleeding the killing”, the industry has allegedly failed to reduce injuries and deaths.
“The wastage that occurs in this industry due to over breeding still means healthy, sentient
dogs are kept in poor inhumane conditions, ill fed, not socialised nor given a normal
puppyhood afforded to other dogs (making them difficult to re-home later) and receive
inadequate veterinary care and acceptable care on track,” she said.
“The welfare cost to these dogs both those racing and those retired, is both unacceptable and very clearly unfixable.”
Ms Adams said it is both “heartbreaking and deplorable” that the industry has been allowed to operate as it has.
Camera IconDr Adams’ calls come as a report of the industry revealed alleged widespread animal abuse. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia
“It is obvious that given the failure of any real improvement, the animal welfare issues within this industry aren’t going to disappear after an inquiry or a few tweaks to industry practice – that ship has sailed.”
In response to Ms Adams’ letter, a GRNSW spokesperson said it is “incorrect to say that the industry has failed to make improvements”.
“There have been significant improvements in rehoming and welfare, and while the generalisations within the assertion are strongly refuted, it is not appropriate for Greyhound Racing NSW to comment further while inquiries into GRNSW are being conducted,” they said.
“GRNSW takes any claim or concern related to animal welfare or the integrity of our rehoming programs very seriously.”
Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst said she “absolutely support(s)” Dr Adams in her calls to put an end to greyhound racing across the state.
“The Minister must listen to professionals in this area who are calling for greyhound racing to be banned following further shocking claims of animal cruelty,” she said.
“The industry had its chance to clean up its act and failed to do so. Minister Harris must take bold action to stop more dogs suffering and dying.”
Ms Hurst said she has received a “significant number” of allegations to her office about alleged animal cruelty and mismanagement within the industry.
She said a protest has been organised for the August 17 to “show the Government they can’t simply sweep these allegations under the carpet”.
Mr Harris has been contacted for comment.
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