A response to GRNSW misinformation: Arrogant, aggressive, and wrong

Greyhound Racing NSW continues its practice of aggressively criticising those who focus on improving greyhound welfare.

In its latest drivel, GRNSW has attacked Greens MP Abigail Boyd for daring to question the greyhound racing industry’s heat policies. CPG and Animal Liberation had expressed similar concerns about extreme heatwave and the serious risks to animal welfare.

In their rush to attack Ms Boyd, GRNSW has again selectively  misrepresented her comments and are spreading misinformation.

To correct the GRNSW propaganda team:

• There is a 40 degree racing limit in NT and Queensland, according to Acting GWIC Commissioner Lea Drake in her Report of the Inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW.
• Tasmania has a limit of 35 degrees, and NZ and Great Britain a limit of 33 degrees, presumably after doing their own scientific research.
• The Drake Report suggested a heat limit of 34 degrees in NSW to better protect greyhounds.

Does GRNSW disagree with Drake? Or the 2016 racing industry research which showed an ambient temp of 31.2 deg could tip greyhounds into the critical danger zone? Or the RSPCA?

And thanks to GRNSW for confirming that transporting greyhounds in air-conditioned vehicles is not mandatory.

GRNSW also said “our policy states that trainers are also permitted to withdraw their greyhounds from events without penalty” with a BOM forecast of 32 degrees. But note this from The Gardens 10 January stewards report: “The greyhound was withdrawn under the GWIC heat policy at 8-23 am, as this was a late scratching the greyhound was stood down from racing for 10 days.” Which sounds like a penalty.

Of course, we aren’t into hairy-chested aggression, so if we’re wrong we’ll correct the mistakes.

Maybe GRNSW could admit their mistakes and also apologise to Abigail?

We know they’ll continue to force their greyhounds to keep racing in conditions that experts say are dangerous and cruel. And keep distracting the public from the damning Drake Report.