Greyhound racing is coming on in leaps and bounds after crisis
SIX years after the greyhound racing ground zero when the live-baiting scandal threatened to wipe out the sport, it has bounced back with positive welfare progress and booming wagering turnover.
It was February 16, 2015, when ABC’s Four Corners aired shocking footage of live piglets, possums and rabbits being used to “blood’’ greyhounds in secret training sessions. There were greyhound investigations and suspensions across the nation. NSW even banned the sport, although that decision was wound back three months later.
Ramifications were wideranging as the code set about restoring faith and trust within the community.
In Queensland, there were major welfare reforms and six years on greyhound racing is capturing fans in record numbers and there is genuine optimism about the code’s future.
“The Queensland greyhound industry has made significant strides in recent years,” said Adam Wallish, Racing Queensland’s executive general manager operations.
“The adoption of the Race Meeting Injury Scheme, along with the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission’s enhanced protocols around the treatment of on-course injuries, have been designed to place animal welfare at the core of our day-to-day activities.
“Put simply, the Race Meeting Injury Scheme has been designed to remove any barriers that may exist for Queensland participants to rehabilitate their greyhounds.
“From a wagering standpoint, annual turnover on Queensland product surpassed $1 billion for the first time in FY20 and we’re on track to eclipse that mark again in FY21.
“The Gold Bullion Final at the start of the month delivered a new Queensland turnover record at $5.1 million for the meeting, highlighting its appeal with punters. As part of our commitment to operating more commercially, we have also made significant financial investments in converting a number of our clubs from nonTAB to TAB.”
Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club boss Luke Gatehouse well remembers the “hideous” early days of the fallout from the live-baiting scandal.
Gatehouse said at the time, and he says now, only a very small percentage of participants were implicated and the overwhelming majority of greyhound people were doing the right thing.
“The live baiting scandal shone a bright light on animal welfare and we have been working really closely with integrity officials and Racing Queensland during the ensuing years to ensure we have the highest possible levels of ongoing animal care,” Gatehouse said.
“We are looking at that on a whole-of-life basis for greyhounds, not only during their racing career but also in their post-racing career in terms of the retirement of dogs and that they transition successfully from the racing industry to being a pet.”
In terms of the future of the greyhound industry in Queensland, a new $40 million complex is being built at Yamanto, a suburb of Ipswich, which is hoped to be up and running in 2024.