Eve Jeffery
Animal Liberation has thrown its unequivocal support behind a NSW Parliament e-petition opposing the proposed development of a greyhound racing track at Chinderah.
Animal Liberation’s Regional Campaigns Coordinator Lisa Ryan, said the e-petition sponsored by Tamara Smith, the NSW Greens state member for Ballina, is running through the NSW Legislative Assembly.
‘The petition outlines public grievances involving a 32 hectare site purchased by the Tweed Coursing Club at Chinderah to establish a new greyhound racing track, including circle and straight tracks, and claims that the greyhound racing industry has ignored a study undertaken by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) which concluded greyhound racing injuries and deaths can be reduced through straight tracks, 6 dog races and the re-positioning of the lure,’ says Ms Ryan.
2020: 9,861 greyhounds injured and 202 killed on race tracks
‘Across Australia in 2020, 9,861 greyhounds were injured and 202 were killed on race tracks, of which 2,821 injuries and 48 deaths occurred on NSW tracks. The petition claims the proposed Tweed greyhound track development will compromise greyhound welfare and contribute to ongoing greyhound track injuries and deaths; increase problem gambling, and support an industry that has no social licence and doesn’t meet the public’s expectations.’
Ms Ryan says the recently published Lethal Tracks 2020 report by the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG) is continuing to attract strong media interest and is being widely circulated.
CPG report a harrowing and sombre account
‘Factually sourced from Steward’s reports, the CPG report is a harrowing and sombre account of the extent and nature of ongoing greyhound injuries and deaths on greyhound racing tracks Australia wide.’
‘The petition is calling for the members of the Legislative Assembly to ensure: no public monies contributions towards the Tweed greyhound track development or prize money for Tweed greyhound races; no further race track licences or race dates until the industry’s track standards are made public, and the industry commits to implementing the UTS track report recommendations; and, protection of the regionally significant land purchased for the development of the proposed Tweed greyhound track.’
The Greens NSW strongly oppose greyhound racing
Tamara Smith MP said the Greens NSW strongly opposes greyhound racing because of the unnecessary cruelty, death and injury to dogs. ‘This sport is not only harmful to dogs but also raises major concerns are about gambling and the use of public money to support such practices and industries,’ she said.
Ms Smith said she is collaborating with informed and experienced organisations like Animal Liberation and the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds to oppose a proposed new greyhound track in the Tweed. ‘It is alarming and disturbing that such a cruel sport continues to be accepted in this day and age. I encourage compassionate members of our community to sign the petition.’
The petition will remain open for all NSW residents to sign until 27 May 2021.
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