In July 2024, the NSW Government called for an inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW. Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris said the inquiry would examine a number of complaints around GRNSW including track safety, animal welfare and its operation.
The inquiry was called just days after the handover of a damning report by GRNSW’s former chief veterinary officer Alex Brittan. Dr Brittan alleged that some dogs were being raced at a “barbaric” intensity, that re-homed animal figures were inflated and that some dogs were locked in metal cages. See more on the Brittan Report below.
The inquiry, known as the Drake Inquiry, was led by Lea Drake, Acting Commissioner of the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission. The Inquiry called for public submissions and heard from 36 witnesses across 31 hearing days.
The greyhound racing industry was hammered during the inquiry hearings. Witnesses spoke of confused regulation, rehoming failures, no racetrack meeting minimum standards, dangerous tracks, animal abuse, and political interference.
The cowardly NSW Government response
In its weak and inadequate response to the Report, the NSW Government rejected key recommendations including:
- Limits on the numbers of greyhounds bred each year
- Halting the export of retired greyhounds to the USA (or anywhere outside Australia) for rehoming
- The suspension of greyhound racing if minimum track standards are not met
- Establishment of independent bodies to oversee both GRNSW and the industry regulator GWIC
The government also made it clear that industry sustainability and profitability would continue to take priority over greyhound welfare. This was highlighted in the GRNSW response with CEO Steve Griffin stating “We were really pleased that the Government has only accepted those recommendations where there’s clear benefit to the sport …”
By ignoring the scathing Report, the NSW Government has once again demonstrated their commitment to the racing industry at the expense of the dogs they sacrifice to the gambling industry.