A Wellington greyhound trainer’s heartache has been eased with the NSW government’s reversal of a controversial ban on the sport.
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Ron Steel had thought his career would come to an end if racing was outlawed from July 1 next year.
But on Tuesday NSW Premier Mike Baird confirmed plans to reverse the ban after cabinet and party room meetings, instead promising to introduce stronger regulations for the industry, including harsher penalties for animal cruelty.
Mr Steel was still waiting for details when he spoke to the Wellington Times mid-Tuesday, but said if there was a reversal he was “very happy”.
The Wellington man had been left counting the emotional and financial costs when the ban was announced in July.
Trainers were in favour of the well-being of the dogs, and also did not want to see the industry shut down, Mr Steel said on Tuesday.
“It’s been a very big heartache for us, whether we were or were not going to continue on,” he said.
“But it’s never over until it’s over.”
The July decision to ban the industry came after the report of a special commission of inquiry headed by retired judge Michael McHugh.
It found up to 68,000 greyhounds had been euthanised in the past 12 years because they were too slow or unable to race.
Mr Baird said John Keniry, who was appointed to advise the government on the transition to closure, had said “there is now a deep appetite for change, for reform to the industry”.
Mr Baird said the industry would be given “one final chance” under a new regime promised to contain “the strictest regulations that exist anywhere in the country”.
A new body would be set up to govern and regulate the industry and would be chaired by former NSW premier Morris Iemma, Mr Baird said.
The new regime will include mandatory life bans and increased jail terms for live baiting and registering greyhounds for their entire lives.
There will be an independent regulator and more resources for enforcement and prosecution and animal welfare.
The Wellington trainer gave credit to Dubbo Greyhound Racing Club president Shayne Stiff for his efforts in opposing the ban.
Mr Steel was on Tuesday looking to the future, starting with taking five dogs to race at Dubbo on Thursday.
“It’s the right decision and let’s hope everything settles down and we can get back to racing,” Mr Steel said.
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
