Greyhound Industry On 7.30

[WreckitWhippet]

THE DOGS

Dear

I am writing to provide you with an important update on the NSW greyhound racing industry - especially in light of a recent report into our sport on the ABC’s 7.30 program.

As many of you would be aware, a number of welfare and integrity allegations were made against our sport. Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) take these allegations very seriously. Accordingly, I have asked our integrity team to investigate all aspects of the allegations which were aired on 7.30.

In particular, GRNSW has now formally directed former Wentworth Park on-course veterinarian Dr Ted Humphries and greyhound trainer, Christos Arletos, to bring forward substantive evidence of their claims concerning the use of banned substances on greyhounds. GRNSW has repeatedly invited Dr Humphries to discuss his concerns with our Integrity Department; however, he has not yet made any effort to contact GRNSW.

Disappointingly, the 7.30 story omitted the crucial fact that their supposed “insider”, Mr Arletos had himself been disqualified for three months in 2006 for a positive swab on one of his greyhounds. The reporter was made aware of this information prior to broadcast. Mr Arletos made a startling allegation that 80 per cent of the industry gives their greyhounds performance enhancing drugs and that favourable treatment is given to more successful trainers. GRNSW takes this allegation extremely seriously and directs Mr Arletos to bring forward evidence of this claim.

Next month, a NSW Upper House Parliamentary Inquiry will begin into the NSW greyhound racing industry. The Inquiry will be chaired by Robert Borsak from the Shooters and Fishers Party. The deputy chair is Dr John Kaye from The Greens.

Politicians will have the opportunity to question key industry participants. The terms of reference for the inquiry can be found by clicking here.

GRNSW is in the process of finalising a very detailed submission for the purposes of the Inquiry. When approached by the ABC for an on-camera interview, we explained to the journalist that it would be inappropriate to comment before the submission had been finalised and approved by the Board. Sadly, this explanation was not given at any point during the 7:30 report. We further asked that if there was any specific allegation that the ABC wanted to raise with Greyhound Racing NSW that they submit it to us formally so that we could be in a position to respond accordingly. They refused. Clearly it didn’t suit their agenda or the general tenor of their so called investigation.

Similarly, Greyhounds Australasia, who is the national voice in respect to animal welfare matters declined to participate, despite the welfare elements of the report having a national focus.

Despite this, GRNSW wholly cooperated with the ABC to ensure the reporter had access to all relevant information to present a fair and accurate story.

Swabbing and Doping

The ABC report largely focused on the presence of illegal drugs in the sport.

The use of performance enhancing drugs in greyhound racing is something we take very seriously. Over the last year GRNSW dramatically increased its drug detection activities taking 5,562 samples - a 47 per cent increase on the previous year. The increase in swabs carried out was made possible after GRNSW nearly doubled its swabbing budget for 2012/13 following a marked increase in positive swabs in the previous year.

The increase in the detection of prohibited substances coincides with GRNSW’s enhanced approach to race day integrity operations. This includes the establishment of a ‘control room’ at GRNSW’s head office in Rhodes, which receives live feeds of the race broadcast footage, surveillance footage from the kennel blocks and utilises video conferencing equipment to facilitate communication between the tracks and office in real time together with modern bet monitoring tools.

However, we must keep some perspective, after staging in excess of 10,000 races there were only 35 confirmed positives in the last financial year.

Greyhound Welfare

GRNSW is committed to improving the welfare of greyhounds in NSW. Since assuming responsibility for animal welfare in 2009, GRNSW has launched a number of welfare initiatives and over the next 12 months we intend to further enhance our commitment to greyhound welfare by dedicating $1.3 million to improving welfare and rehoming services.

GRNSW has a zero tolerance for trainers who do not meet our animal welfare standards, a position we know the vast majority of trainers in NSW fully support. Any trainer found ending the life of a greyhound in an inhumane manner or mistreating the greyhounds in their care in some other way is not welcome in our sport. They would not only be violating the rules of greyhound racing and our code of practice, but would also be committing a criminal offence under the NSW Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

By encouraging smarter breeding practices, ensuring safer racing and providing greater re-homing opportunities, GRNSW is confident it will provide a better life for greyhounds after racing.

Next steps

In the coming months, it’s likely that allegations such as those aired on 7.30 will be made as the Parliamentary Inquiry gains momentum.

This is particularly evident given the anti-racing agenda The Greens have been pursuing. They continue to make unsubstantiated claims about animal cruelty, drug use and links to organised crime within the greyhound racing industry. The Greens have even produced a guide instructing how people can make a submission in which they publish misleading and false claims about animal welfare and the integrity of the sport. This document that has been circulated by The Greens leader Dr John Kaye can be viewed here.

To ensure that an accurate, fair and true reflection of the greyhound racing industry in NSW is provided to the Parliamentary Inquiry, it is essential that all participants provide a submission; no matter how long or short it might be. It’s in our collective best interests to ensure that the views of all our industry participants are adequately represented.

Details on how to make a submission can be found by clicking here.

Yours faithfully

[shantiah]

Shantiah, thanks for posting the full link.

Lovely to catch up with you the other day at the show. Paige and Pickles looked great but little Rolf is divine.

When can I come get puppy cuddles?

It was great to catch up. Rolf is just too cute for his own good

Come over any time you like.