Greyhound Industry Figures Discuss Breeding and Illegal Surveillance: What’s Next?

The greyhound racing industry in South Australia has been rocked by revelations from secret recordings tabled in a parliamentary committee. The recordings showed industry figures discussing breeding more dogs in order to make it impossible to shut down the industry due to welfare issues. The Greyhound Racing SA has stated that individual comments in the recordings do not represent the overall industry.

In response to these findings, a former racing integrity commissioner has been appointed to oversee administrative and animal welfare reforms in the SA greyhound industry starting in July. This move comes after the state government launched an independent review of the industry following the airing of drone footage showing dogs being abused on a property.

The recordings also revealed discussions about legal action against illegal drone surveillance and the steps being taken to track down and prosecute those responsible. The industry has expressed concerns about privacy breaches and covert recordings, emphasizing their focus on working with stakeholders to strengthen regulatory oversight.

The chief executive of the Office of Recreation, Sport and Racing has warned that the industry must take the reform recommendations seriously or face the threat of being shut down. Greens MP Tammy Franks, who tabled the recordings in parliament, expressed hope that the new inspector overseeing the reforms will bring more transparency to the industry.

Overall, the greyhound industry in South Australia is facing a critical moment as it grapples with the fallout from the secret recordings and the need for significant reforms to ensure the welfare of the animals involved.