| NSW councils and RSPCA put down three times more dogs than greyhound industry NAOMI WHITE and ROSE BRENNAN, The Daily Telegraph
August 15, 2016 12:00am
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NSW councils have collectively put down three times more dogs than the greyhound racing industry. Data from city council pounds reveal an average of 16,178 dogs each year were euthanised between 2005-2006 and 2011-2012. The state governments report into the greyhound industry shows an average of 59,000 greyhounds bred in NSW over the last 12 years were killed. The yearly death rate average is about 5000 greyhounds each year, putting the wastage in the industry at a third of the city councils. In addition, the RSPCA of NSW kills thousands more impounded dogs each year. In the 2014-2015 financial year the RSPCA euthanised 3435 dogs in NSW, as well as 8000 each year in 2010-2011 and 2009-2010. The governments ban legislation was passed late Thursday night. Picture: Nathan Edwards
NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association chief executive Brenton Scott said the data errors in the governments report were significant, including that 68,448 greyhounds had been killed for being too slow. What has become apparent in the fight to retain our industry is there are many other areas of the community with common ground, yet it is the greyhound racing industry that is facing a ban, he said. A ban on greyhound racing sets a precedent for any industry involving animals. The greyhound industry is committed to a sustainable future, with the strongest regulation and highest welfare standards. He estimated, based on information supplied to the commission, the unacceptable euthanasia rate in the greyhound industry was less than 7 per cent. That is a long way from the 50-70 per cent range that is used by government from the report, that is ultimately only a guess, he said. Animal advocate Geoff Davidson said the issue with the greyhound racing industry was that the proportion of total greyhounds being killed was high. Thats the issue. Its a very concentrated source for animals being euthanised, Mr Davidson said. NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association chief executive Brenton Scott. Picture: John Grainger
A spokesman for the Minister for Local Government said: The NSW government is committed to responsible pet ownership. Sadly, too many pets are abandoned and those that cant be rehomed are subsequently euthanised in a humane way. Meanwhile, the RSPCA is investigating reports of a second greyhound mass grave in the Hunter Valley. Cyclists discovered the remains of up to 10 dogs in bush near Raymond Terrace yesterday, buried in hessian bags. Last year the skeletal remains of 99 greyhounds were found on a property near Cessnock. Greyhound racing will be banned in NSW in 2017. Picture: Jenny Evans
MY GREYHOUNDS WILL HAVE A HOME FOR LIFE
Jessica Rapana GREYHOUND trainer Rodney OBrien is not surprised by the large number of dogs that are euthanised across the state. He says there has always been a misconception that more dogs are killed by greyhound trainers than council pounds. Mr OBrien, from Blacktown, said theres a lot of frustration with the governments report into the industry, and said only a small group has given the rest a bad name. Im cranky about the ones in the industry that have done the wrong thing buts its such a minority. Its going to ruin lives and whats going to happen to those dogs? he said. Mine arent going anywhere, mine have a home for life. Two of the three greyhounds owned by Rodney OBrien with Malakai Smiroldo, 7. Picture: Richard Dobson
Mr OBriens plans to breed his dogs were recently put on hold after the statewide industry ban was proposed by the Baird government. We were all set to go. As soon as that happened we had to pull back because they wouldnt let us register, he said. Youre talking about a lot of money when you have got no way to earn it back. He said morale at the tracks was at an
all-time low: Everyones getting around with their heads down. I cant believe theyve done it, its so cruel. Mr OBrien said his three greyhounds were treated as part of the family. EXTERNAL LINK
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