Just days after Lismore City Council approved an extra 20 greyhound race meetings each year, new figures released by the Greens indicate 700 dogs have died since the ban on greyhound racing was lifted by the NSW Government.
The council on Tuesday approved the extra meetings despite pleas from animal advocates who packed the council chambers to watch a rescission motion put forward by Crs Vanessa Ekins, Adam Guise and Eddie Lloyd get defeated.
Today, Greens NSW MP and Animal Welfare Spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has released figures obtained under freedom of information which show ‘nothing has changed’ despite assurances from the industry that all efforts would be made to re-home greyhounds.
Dr Faruqi said the figures showed that 700 dogs had been euthanised or killed for reasons related to racing between April and December 2017.
‘This equates to more than almost a hundred dogs a month or almost three dogs each day, which is comparable to figures from the year before showing no very little decline in deaths,’ she said.
Echonetdaily requested a breakdown in the figures to show whether or not any of the 700 dogs had died at the Lismore track, or in the area, but a spokesperson from Dr Faruqi’s office said that was not yet possible.
‘We do know that at least two dogs have died at Lismore since December and we will be applying under Freedom of Information for more information,’ he said.
The two dogs were Chippie Rose and Dooley Wilson.
Meanwhile, Dr Faruqi said almost half the dogs put down by vets had been classed as ‘unsuitable’ for re-homing, which she claimed was a backdoor way of euthanising unwanted dogs.
‘Even if all these dogs had behavioural issues, the industry needs to take responsibility for damaging these dogs and care for and rehabilitate these animals, not have them killed,’ she said.
‘A report from New Zealand suggested a trend of dogs being euthanised just days after being retired from racing, with no attempt to rehabilitate the animals. There are concerns a similar trend may exist here.
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As a horse breeder for nearly 50 years, an opinion has formed in my mind about the responsibilites of humans to their animals. If these racing dogs had not been bred for this job, they would never have had a life at all. If they are well cared for while they are fulfilling their purpose, that is acceptable. It is the most responsible action to destroy an animal when it is no longer required for its purpose, because if it is saved for rehoming, it may never have s home found, living a limited and often loveless life in the meantime. Not one of us wants to see ANY animal destroyed for our whims, but at least by destruction the animal has a certain painless end with no further opportunity for abuse,
I think an animal would be better off not being born if that is to be it’s life.
Not every single dog, of ANY breed, becomes a suitable family pet. Most definitely how an animal is cared for and treated will make a difference, but sadly individual personalities & traits do vary and at times an aggressive animal should not be rehabilitated. It is kinder to end it’s life. I have on good authority Chippe Rose was such a dog showing aggression to other dogs. Chippe Rose’s owner has more pet greyhounds than racing greyhounds due to his devotion to his animals and reluctance to part with his animals for an unknown future.
What animal activist never advertise is the number of animals euthanised by councils & the RSCPA during the same period … nor community vets (for which i do not believe there are published figures). The RSCPA & councils EACH kill far more dogs than those that are lost due to racing. Racing greyhounds have the best life & care imaginable, treated as the elite athletes they are. I find the lack of care & responsibility in the general community to their pets much more appalling.
Alana, the RSPCA don’t breed the dogs they euthanise. The same cannot be said for the greyhound racing industry. Stop trying to defend the indefensible.
700 racing dogs put down in the last 8 months.Some would have been old and put down mercifully, some would have been pets severely injured ( broken legs etc ),some would be race track injuries and some would have been unwanted.
700 humans died in road accidents in the same 8 months.
20,000 cats and dogs were put down by the NSW RSPCA in the same 8 months.
Why aren’t politicians speaking about these issues as well?
Yes Gorgina I agree. I think you should be able to euthanise human children. I know that seems like murder, but if we didn’t the baby never “would never have had a life at all”.
I’ve often thought about having a child slave, it’s not a big deal, they have “been bred for this job, If they are well cared for while they are fulfilling their purpose, that is acceptable…. It is the most responsible action to destroy a [human]when it is o longer required for its purpose”.
What a lovely way of looking at it. Bring them into the world to race, flog them to succeed and kill them, humanely of course, if they don’t. That’s justification. Yes I’m hearing you Georgina – a shitty life better than none.
Of interest (according to the ABS) 117,180 Australian’s have also died during that same period. Even more fascinating is the fact that, according to obituary section of the SMH, 6 people named Rose and 28 named Wilson also died. I don’t have time to check if any of the Rose’s were called “Chippie” or any of the Wilsons were called “Doolie” but that would be truly terrifying!!
Replace ‘animal’ with ‘child’ and you would be outraged. But yet they both have lives and deserve all the rights that go with that life.
To Georgina and all the racing dog advocates I say this: animals were not put here for us to use for entertainment or for our own purposes. They have their own needs and desires and you cannot tell me that a life of racing is ‘a life’ nor that they are being ‘well cared for’. By that she means what, fed, housed and maybe patted sometimes? Once they are injured or too old they are tossed away like trash. So much for all the money they made their owners, their life is worthless to us – but not to them!
Georgina thinks it’s better to destroy an animal than to take a risk it may not find a home. How does she know it’s a painless end to be euthanised if that animal doesn’t want to die? Doesn’t the greyhound have a right to live irrespective of it no longer being useful to the industry or the owner? The owner has a duty of care to make sure the dog has at least a chance for a better life. Of course there are never enough homes and that’s WHY greyhound racing should be fully banned and certainly not extended!!!
Shame on those Lismore councillors who voted to add extra races!
Kudos to Crs Ekins, Guise and Lloyd who are the only councillors who care a jot about these unfortunate animals. And Kudos to the Greens for taking up the cause of compassion for greyhounds.
What i find a shame is that Crs Ekins, Guise and Lloyd have gulliblly swallowed the lies animal activists spout. Anyone wanting to know the truth should do what i have done over 2 1/2 years. Go to the tracks. Talk to the trainers. Get to know them & their dogs. I’ve been to private kennels. I’ve seen how they are fed, trained & cared for. I know the effort some make to have dogs rehomed. I’ve seen their attachment to old retirees they cant bare to part with. Learn the challenges they face from ignorant beaurcrats introducing ridiculous changes that are NOT resulting in better welfare for the dogs.
As Georgina points out, in her disgusting ideology, these dogs are bred for racing and when they have fulfilled their purpose it is a responsible action to destroy the animal when it is no longer requird. If anyone ever needs a comment to justify ban greyhound racing, use that of Georgina Beard. Let’s ban this activity (It isn’t sport) and only breed greyhounds as pets.
“As a horse breeder for 50 years” AND if the horses don’t perform they are sold off as hacks, probably not shot or euthanised as the dogs are. “an opinion has formed in my mind” and that is to get rid of the problem (dog) Your “mind” needs councelling in a big way. I have seen/patted/stroked many greyhounds that were obtained from shelters, not one was agressive but displayed a slight degree of timidity (I wonder why, after having seen their stablemates euthanised) I think greyhound racing is a sick & depraved sport, should be banned nationwide with penalties to match.
No, I haven’t finished yet, I’m appalled at Lismore council’s decision to increase the number of greyhound races. “It is the most responsible action to destroy an animal when it is no longer required for it’s purpose” Jesus this gets better” Because it is saved from rehoming, it may have a home found” The only one saved from the task of re-homing is the owner. (because they can’t be bothered) I’m quite disgusted with Georgina Beard’s outlook on the whole situation…
Before you publish this crap why dont you do some actual investigation into the truth then again bullshit sells. Being a greyhound trainer breeder foster carer i do keep a good eye on stewards reports etc so put up or shut please please produce evidence.
All i can say is i cannot believe the lack of your newspaper to print truth, as you have said you requested breakdown so if is true they shouldve been able give you on silver platter. The old story smells like shit looks like shit its shit so try doing something differnt for a change and check facts .
Thank you
To all the people condemning the industry. The best thing you could do is adopt a greyhound. Or three.
Leanne there will never be enough homes for greyhounds as long as this ghastly industry continues. There aren’t enough homes now – only a small percentage of dogs are lucky enough to find a home, the rest are killed when they are no longer useful.
We must all continue to condemn this industry (along with horse racing, rodeo etc) on the basis of ethics. Would you like to be a greyhound, raced and often injured in the process then if you survive all that, killed? As this article says 700 dogs dead since the ban was lifted i.e. just 18 months ago. All you who say these dogs are treated nicely don’t think you can fool us.