FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7 July 2016
Queensland should follow New South Wales’ lead in closing down the greyhound racing industry as all the reasons cited by Premier Mike Baird are equally valid in the Sunshine State.
Mr Baird said the decision to ban greyhound racing in NSW was due to the mass killing of healthy young dogs, the widespread practice of live baiting and the inability of the industry to reform in the short or medium term.
The MacSporran inquiry conducted in 2015 for Queensland also uncovered similar evidence and Dr Eleonora Gullone, founder of the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds, believes it is time for Queensland to follow suit.
“The MacSporran inquiry found that two thirds of the dogs retired in 2014 were actually put to death,” said Dr Gullone.
“More recent statistics include the disturbing fact that the greyhound racing industry adopted out just 57 greyhounds in 2014/15, while euthanising nearly the same number of dogs at Queensland racetracks.
“The industry has also shown that it is unable to get tough with wrongdoers, with nearly half of the live baiters in Queensland having their life bans scrapped earlier this year.
“Further stories of animal cruelty, including a greyhound who died after being left with her muzzle strapped shut all day and two cases of greyhounds who were left with broken legs for days before being taken to a vet for euthanasia, only further emphasise how out of step greyhound racing is with community expectations.
“Last February, over 700 Queenslanders rallied to show their support for a ban on greyhound racing – it is clear that this industry has lost its social licence in this state.
“New South Wales has shown us that humanity and compassion can come first. It is time to shut greyhound racing down.”