The West Australian greyhound industry was far removed from the cruelty and misconduct occurring in the eastern states according to Greyhounds WA chief executive David Hobbs.
Last week the NSW Premier Mike Baird declared greyhound racing and breeding would be illegal from July 2017 following a report into the industry, which Mr Hobbs described as a ‘kneejerk reaction’.
The McHugh report found between 50,000 and 60,000 dogs had been killed in NSW over the past 12 years for being uncompetitive and between 10 and 20 per cent of breeders were linked to live baiting.
Mr Hobbs, who runs the Cannington greyhound track, said WA’s industry was nothing like the eastern states because it was so strictly regulated.
“I think there’s no doubt our name has been tarnished but I sleep comfortably at night knowing our industry is very clean here, it’s very well controlled,” he said.
“I’m more than satisfied that we don’t have the systemic problems that they mentioned in NSW.
“It’s a different business model here in WA, we’re strictly run by government.
“We’re a statutory body and controlled by a statutory body run by Racing and Wagering WA.
“We have three tracks which are heavily monitored.
“We only breed about 500 dogs a year here so it’s a lot smaller than the east coast.
“Anybody doing that should be prosecuted and we run a very tight operation here because our stewards in WA are the toughest in the land, they have more powers than police.”
Mr Hobbs said he did not support the NSW ban and they should move to prosecute any offenders.
“We don’t think there should be a complete ban of the sport we don’t condone the behaviour of what was played out on the Four Corners show,” he said.
“I think it was a kneejerk reaction to ban the whole thing.
“You prosecute those who cause problems.”
Acting Racing and Gaming Minister Mia Davies said the NSW government’s announcement had come without notice.
“It is significant and will have ramifications for the broader national racing industry,” she said.
“The accompanying McHugh Report will be digested and any implications specific to Western Australia will be considered in due course.”
RSPCA WA welcomed NSW’s move.
A spokeswoman said the outcome for the industry was inevitable in light of the widespread, systemic animal abuse that shocked all Australians when publicly revealed last year.
She said RSPCA WA continued to work with WA racing authorities to monitor greyhound racing very closely.
To report information on any animal cruelty call RSPCA WA on 1300 278 3589.
