Cowra greyhound trainer Rodney McDonald has breathed a sigh of relief following the Baird government’s decision to reverse its ban on greyhound racing in NSW on Tuesday morning.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
McDonald, a two-time NSW Trainer of the Year, expressed his delight in knowing there will be future for his Dana Lodge kennel beyond June 30 next year.
“Things are a lot more bright now then what they were two months ago,” Rodney McDonald said.
“We’re going past June 30 which is very positive. We just don’t know what the finer details are yet.”
Cabinet met on Tuesday morning to discuss dumping the plan, with their decision emerging shortly before 10.30am.
"I got it wrong, we got it wrong, the cabinet got it wrong and the government got it wrong," Mr Baird said.
It was expected that the cabinet would consider a range of options encompassing significant elements of a plan put forward by the greyhound industry, including:
- Capping breeding to 2,000
- Reducing the number of tracks
- Reducing the number of race events
- Whole-of-life dog cycle management
- $1,500 bond for every dog bred
McDonald questioned the proposed figure of capping breeding to 2000 greyhounds.
“When you look at Paul Wheeler who breeds 300 or 400 pups that’s a fifth of the quota,” McDonald said.
“I don’t think that’ll be one. I hope I’m right,” he said.
It is unclear whether Cowra’s track will have a future, but racing will return to Sid Kallas Oval for the next two Saturdays for the running of the annual Janet Braddon Memorial.
“It’s very positive news,” McDonald added. “Hopefully the restrictions now aren’t too savage.”
While the backflip comes as a relief for participants in the greyhound industry, PETA Australia released a statement expressing its disappointment in the Baird government’s decision.
“Today is a sad day not only for the thousands of dogs who will now continue to suffer in this cruel and unjustifiable industry, but also for democracy,” PETA Australia Campaign Coordinator Claire Fryer.
“The government has acted on speculation about their polling numbers and pressure from individuals who gain financially from this abusive industry, and ignored the vast majority of New South Wales constituents who abhor the inherit brutality of greyhound racing.
“The Premier may think he is saving his political future, but they say fortune favours the brave and in this case, Mr Baird has shown he is anything but.”
