Time for a fresh start: ARG responds to live-baiting crisis

MAKE no mistake, greyhound racing in Australia is teetering on the brink of destruction.

The calls for an end to greyhound racing are coming from far and wide in the aftermath of the Four Corners expose originating from Animal Liberation Queensland's efforts.

Over the past eight years of Australian Racing Greyhound, we have observed, heard and frequently been on the end of abuse and “requests” to stop the sport.

In the past two years those voices have grown louder and the support base has spread from the fanatical “professionals” to those further from the fringes.

In the past 12 hours, those voices have been joined by many sensible, reasonable-thinking Australians who have quickly taken to social to express their outrage – and justifiably so.

What was shown on Monday night in the living rooms of Australia is indefensible.

There are no words which can placate those assaulted by the images or mitigate the reactions to the vision.

Greyhound racing has reached a crossroad – it can continue on in a whole new form with new leadership and a new set of values; or it can go the way so many have before it.

To survive, greyhound racing will require strong, transparent leadership with a strong focus on and welfare – we do not have that currently. It could be argued all racing codes suffer this dilemma, and recent fiascos in AFL and NRL demonstrate integrity is not an issue reserved for the racing codes, but greyhound racing has suffered from a terminal lack of “backbone” from its leaders who are all too happy to hide behind “incidents” and “ongoing investigations” than to put forward the brutal truth.

In the lead-up to the most destructive media event of the year, our leaders seemed to be more concerned with controlling the message than providing that transparency. It was difficult to extract comment from GRV, and the fact we are the only independent media organisation devoted to the coverage of online should not be lost in the noise. This is the same of people who invited the ABC journalists in on the pretence they were doing a positive story on increasing popularity and TAB turnover in the sport. The words naïve and inept come to mind.

Due in no small part to the short-sighted dealings of the Greyhound Action Group in New South Wales, who got into bed with the Greens and animal welfare groups to get its facile NSW Parliamentary into the sport off the ground last year, the bright light of the animal welfare and anti-racing groups was already shining on greyhound racing. After Monday night, that spotlight has turned supernova and includes many who the sport may have considered allies. The heartland of greyhound support, the blue- and white-collar families of suburbia, have turned on the sport in numbers; and the crowd and their high-profile names have lent their support to calls to ban the sport.

Clearly greyhound racing is on the wrong path; the vast and overwhelming venom and disgust for the sport are palpable.

Swift, dramatic and conclusive changes must take place, and they must take place immediately.

Those who led us here, whether through ignorance or apathy, must be removed for there to be any hope that confidence in the sport will return.

Australian Racing Greyhound is calling for the chairs of the three boards concerned – Greyhound , Greyhound Racing New South Wales and – to stand down or be removed at once.

Australian Racing Greyhound is calling for the chief executive officers of the three racing authorities concerned – Greyhound Racing Victoria, Greyhound Racing New South Wales and Racing Queensland – to stand down or be removed.

Australian Racing Greyhound is calling for the chief of the three authorities concerned – Greyhound Racing Victoria, Greyhound Racing New South Wales and Racing Queensland – to stand down or be removed.

Australian Racing Greyhound is calling for life bans for those identified in the vision as perpetuating these acts of extreme animal abuse.

Australian Racing Greyhound is calling for an end to the revolving door of suspensions and disqualifications being subverted by authorising the transfer of greyhounds from the offending trainer to their spouse.

Only clear and decisive actions such as these will even partially restore faith that our authorities can properly administer the sport.

Australian Racing Greyhound fears it is too late.

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Michael
Michael
9 years ago

I’m surprised at the shock value that has come about from this four corners program. Todays greyhound racing came about from coursing (which was 2 greyhounds chasing a live hare) and its a certainty it’s been going on ever since and as much as anyone wants to deny it, is common knowledge within the industry it happens. In saying that, it’s also a certainty that not all trainers are involved in the disgusting, brutal abuse that was shown on the program last night, but how can it be controlled if it has’nt been somewhat already with the money that has… Read more »

Retired grey
Retired grey
9 years ago

Good comments Kevin, but don’t tell me that the “good trainers” didn’t know about these cruel mongrels. You are correct there needs to be a very very big broom used to remove ineffectual buffoons from the executive.

Then the problem is finding strong honest people to replace them, good luck with that.

Good trainers need to stand up and out the ones that haven’t been caught, and don’t tell me there aren’t any more.

No mates, no excuses otherwise the public will be right in putting you all in the same boat as those curs on Four Corners.

PommyTikka
PommyTikka
9 years ago

GreyhoundRacing you must have known about baiting, can you please confirm or deny that? AnimalsAus 4corners

noel oakes
noel oakes
9 years ago

C’mon Bobby, look at the people who run this site as well. They remained silent throughout because they lack the moral fibre to turn away the money this industry affords them for half pretending to be an impartial real source of industry news while making value comments on the merits of truly independant initiatives to clean up this sick, bankrupt industry. Isn’t that right Kevin? Great post by Bobby below Jenny it’s not my solution to kill pups and adult dogs, it’s the industry’s. They get rid of, in the order of 20,000 per year. Surplus to requirements, overbreeding, injuries,… Read more »

AaronC_GPLNZ
AaronC_GPLNZ
9 years ago

So the offenders are now saying everyone does it?

Broc Casey
Broc Casey
9 years ago

No Tony Cooper all greyhounds want is good quality food, a warm soft bed (NOT IN A CAGE!) someone to love and care for them to give them cuddles at night and pat them ANYONE who has greyhounds in cages is a disgusting human and i hope your whole industry burns

Ian Rose
Ian Rose
9 years ago

What type of gutter scum are you,the majority of greyhound owners and trainers look after their dogs better than your type look after their kids.

Broc Casey
Broc Casey
9 years ago

your type whats that? people who care about the welfare of dogs, people who dont put there greyhounds in cages to sleep on a piece of wood, people who dont take there dog to vet to be killed but for a check up or people who feed there dogs real food. I dont have kids mate i have greyhounds resuced greyhounds who came to me in horrible horific condiction with every bone in there body showing. So i’d much rather be with my type thanks my dogs sleep in my bed at night under the blankets they lounge about on… Read more »

RufusLelevrier
RufusLelevrier
9 years ago

Roger Clark Three days later, nobody has been charged. But another million has been thrown at GRV in the vain hope that the incompetent self-regulators can finally figure out how to make racing cruelty-free.

Roger Clark
Roger Clark
9 years ago

RufusLelevrier Roger Clark Rest assured they will be, GRV still do not have clearance from their legal advisers to even name the perpetrators yet. As soon as they do all names will be revealed. The RSPCA will be laying charges as soon as all legal obstacles are removed. They are the minority and they have the might of the authorities, and the majority against them. Innocent people are being hurt as well and I can tell you they don’t like it. Please be patient, it is all happening, the entire Board and CEO have been sacked in NSW. Watch this space… Read more »

GeoffSlattery
GeoffSlattery
9 years ago

GreyhoundRacing Needs national response, not state by state. This has been a failure in all codes. #AFL federal model needs to apply.

GreyhoundRacing
GreyhoundRacing
9 years ago

GeoffSlattery KevinPitstock The state based partisan approach in all racing is counter productive to good administration #greyhoundracing

TommyBrislane
TommyBrislane
9 years ago

GreyhoundRacing KevinPitstock When will they learn? Sacking all boards etc. is not the answer unless Federal model is applied in response

WiseOne68
WiseOne68
9 years ago

TommyBrislane GreyhoundRacing KevinPitstock this State vs State rubbish has to stop. We must ALL work together at a national level!!!

Retired grey
Retired grey
9 years ago

Thanks for the update.

What has happened to the dogs belonging to these mongrels? I know in Queensland they have been seized.

I’m concerned that they are now not making money for these bludgers that their health and welfare is a risk.

I have asked RSPCA what is happening with them but they just send me on to the state greyhound authorities, which at this point is useless.

Are there reputable people in the industry that can care for them?

Roger Clark
Roger Clark
9 years ago

Retired grey I have been told that in Qld the RSPCA are boarding the dogs for Racing Queensland. This is not happening in Victoria, although GRV stewards are closely monitoring the welfare of all of the greyhounds while the process is being worked through. I think you can rest assured the welfare of the greyhounds is at the top of the list in all states right now.

Retired grey
Retired grey
9 years ago

Roger, thank you for the update. I see that the Greyhound Racing Act 2009 is open until March 2 for comment. I would strongly advise anyone concerned about the recent revelations gets onto the web site and make their voices heard. There is only a short paragraph at the end of the long document about animal welfare. They are saying that there is enough regulation under the cruelty to animals act and that the RSPCA and police have powers under this act. Of course the RSPCA and police are both under staffed and resourced. Perhaps monies gained from gambling should… Read more »

Roger Clark
Roger Clark
9 years ago

Retired grey I agree 100% with that, I will get onto the website as soon as I get a minute.

Bobby Etheridge
Bobby Etheridge
9 years ago

Retired grey Hi there, Thanks for your concern. There are several ‘non kill’ rescue groups like ourselves that have been asked to foster these dogs so that they will be safe.  I work for Friends of the Hound and we are trying hard to get some extra foster carers help cope with what may be a deluge of dogs. As I understand it these dogs must be kept safe until any pending court cases are over, and then hopefully they will be rehomed.  The cost to our non funded group will be enormous so any help or donations would be… Read more »

MatthewRyanBuckley
MatthewRyanBuckley
9 years ago

Roger Clark Retired grey If the RSPCA are under-resourced and need more money, then I suggest the people responsible for live baiting have all their money and assets confliscated without compensation and have it all donated to the RSPCA and the police

Bobby Etheridge
Bobby Etheridge
9 years ago

Retired grey As I said the dogs are being dispersed though breed specific rescues like Friends of the Hound, these rescues are not funded by anyone except themselves.  The RSPCA, do a great job but have massive funding from various sources, and cannot keep these dogs long term.  The dogs may be in foster for a long time as there are cases pending. It’s the independent greyhound specific rescues are the ones that need the money and hopefully someone will see that we are picking up the pieces of this mess.  As you rightly say, that these mongrels have created.… Read more »

Roger Clark
Roger Clark
9 years ago

MatthewRyanBuckley Roger Clark Retired grey Good idea.

Retired grey
Retired grey
9 years ago

Bobby

I have two retired greys from Friends of the Hounds via Janette.

One report from Queensland said the government was going to give 350 dollars to rescue organisations, other than, GAP, for every grey rehomed. Wonder if FOTH is going to get a piece of that pie, I know first hand what a great job you do for the dogs.

Retired grey
Retired grey
9 years ago

Great idea, but can any of us see that sensible suggestion happening?

Retired grey
Retired grey
9 years ago

The money in the first instance should go to the people and organisations caring for the dogs that have been confiscated. These people should not have to bare the cost of care and rehabilitation, when the “owners” created the problem, they should pay.

Bobby Etheridge
Bobby Etheridge
9 years ago

Retired grey That would barely cover their desexing, but every little bit helps.  Janette and Kay do amazing work down there. I take you’re a happy retired grey owner….

Graham
Graham
9 years ago

This is a disgrace on all of humanity. It’s up to us (the general public) to put a stop to this so called “sport”. It cannot be policed..they will only go further underground.  Close the industry down.