Animal rights activists have welcomed the ban on greyhound racing in New South Wales but are concerned about what will happen to the dogs no longer required by the controversial industry.
Anna Ludvik, the Animal Justice Party candidate for Page in the recent election, led a protest at the Lismore Greyhound Track in February as part of a national protest against the industry.
Ms Ludvik told Echonetdaily that yesterday’s announcement from NSW Premier Mike Baird that the greyhound industry was being banned in the state was welcome news.
She remained concerned however that the ban could result in mass euthanasia of the unwanted dogs.
‘My primary concern is that these dogs are able to be re-homed,’ she said.
‘And on that point I’d like to commend greyhounds as fantastic family pets. They are very chilled out … they need a bit of exercise every day, they don’t shed hair and they generally like to laze about sleeping most of the day,’ she said.
Lismore’s Animal Rights and Rescue coordinator Suzanne Lavis described the ban as ‘brilliant’.
‘The amount of cruelty involved in the industry and the number of hounds that die every year is astounding but the same can be said for domestic pets,’ Ms Lavis said.
Neither the Lismore or Casino greyhound clubs responded to requests for comment on the ban this morning.
Meanwhile, Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Dr Maureen Faruqi said the ban was a win for the animals.
‘Animal welfare activists have worked tirelessly for this outcome for so many years,’ she said.
‘I must pay credit to the NSW Government for taking this long overdue step.
‘The Special Commission of Inquiry report demonstrated the extreme levels of animal cruelty in the industry, including live baiting and the killing of up to 68,000 dogs over the last twelve years.
‘Thousands of people in the community have written letters, rallied at protests and let the Government know that they will accept nothing less than a ban on greyhound racing. This is a huge vindication of their efforts.
‘Today is such a special day and such a fitting tribute to my late friend and colleague, Dr John Kaye, who was a passionate advocate for animals and worked tirelessly to see an end to this cruel industry.
‘The report states what many of us already knew; there was no way greyhound racing can operate without the extreme animal cruelty that the Special Commission report has shown.
‘Our focus must now be on the welfare of the animals in the industry to ensure that they are rehomed and given appropriate support.’
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