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Barr sees no future for greyhounds in the ACT

greyhounds

IN THE wake of the NSW backflip over banning the greyhound racing industry the ACT’s Andrew Barr is pushing ahead.

“We will take a closer look at the regulatory implications for the ACT of the NSW Liberals’ back down on this issue after the election,” Andrew said.

“The flagged scale down in the NSW industry, such as fewer racing greyhounds, fewer racing tracks and much higher regulatory costs, will have significant implications on the viability of the industry in the ACT.

“But regardless of what happens in a regulatory sense, I still can’t see a future for the industry in the ACT and the days of the ACT taxpayer propping up the greyhound industry are over. This is in line with community expectations in the ACT.

“We will however make funding available to assist with a transition out of the greyhound industry in the ACT.

“We will continue to engage with the local greyhound racing industry and animal welfare groups during this transition process.

“Our industry is largely dependent on the NSW Greyhound industry. Greyhound racing in the ACT is regulated by NSW – we have small numbers of greyhound breeders and owners in the ACT.”

[Photo by Holly Treadaway]


UPDATE: The Greens are calling for a complete ban:

The ACT Greens have today announced that they will move to ban greyhound racing in the ACT.

“The Greens will ban greyhound racing in the ACT. We must not allow the backflipping NSW Liberals to open up a backdoor for dodgy operators to bring their cruel business to the ACT,” said Caroline Le Couteur, animal welfare spokesperson for the ACT Greens.

“Just today, Canberra Liberals’ leader Jeremy Hanson made his intention clear to continue propping up this cruel industry to the tune of $1 million a year.

“It is outrageous that the Canberra Liberals think that an industry that kills 17,000 healthy dogs nationwide a year has a place in our community.

“Greyhound racing is an outdated, exploitative industry that has a documented track record of animal cruelty. It’s time to ban greyhound racing, and outlaw the cruelty that so often accompanies it.

“The ACT, and the Greens, have a proud history of strong animal welfare laws. The social license for greyhound racing, and animal cruelty, has expired. There is simply no community support for this industry here.

“We have laws against the use of animals in circuses, laws that prevent battery hens, sow stalls and puppy and kitten farming. It’s time to put an end to greyhound racing and the live baiting, abuse and slaughter of healthy dogs that goes with it.

“This is an industry that breeds and disposes of dogs as if they are rubbish – with pits holding hundreds of dead greyhounds found in areas of NSW. This unacceptable to the vast majority of people in our community.

“The ACT Greens are committed to getting rid of the industry here in the ACT once and for all,” said Ms Le Couteur.

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2 Responses to Barr sees no future for greyhounds in the ACT

Geoffrey Wilson says: 17 October 2016 at 7:13 pm

This has nothing to do with animal welfare as there have been no animal welfare issues raised in the ACT. This is about a Government banishing the “lower class” of ACT racing. The greyhounds. Barr needs the loopy Greens and the greyhounds are the price.

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Stanza Matic says: 20 October 2016 at 10:37 am

It is a disgusting activity, relying on cruelty and treating animals as disposable rubbish. The Baird government’s change of heart was appalling, so it’s good to see the Barr administration won’t allow this so-called sport to continue.

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