The Queensland Greyhound breeders, owners and Trainers association is working really hard to have the Racing Queensland and the State Government convicted for discrimination, which is a breach against the oath of conduct. The QGBOTA president, Brenton Wilson stated that the greyhound racing has currently been facing a very sturdy upward spiral, thus the proposed cuts to prize money which was set for 1^st April could not be warranted as perceived by his organization. Wilson said that they had earlier on discussed the cuts with the head of operations for RQ, Declan Martschinke and Ian Hall, but they were unable to validate the cuts. He however added that he knew the prize money was expected to be around a 28 to 38 percent decrease.

Brenton Wilson, also said that the QGBOT had a problem with how the greyhound industry was been treated when compared to other two codes, he said that it was a very unfair move. He also added that a new greyhound racing course in south- east Queensland was underway, which is to serve as an example of how unfairly the code was being misused. The prize money among the three codes had been rationalized due to the loan granted to the control body of around 17.5 million dollars, the state of government had loaned out the money to fulfill its financial obligations. The wagering projections were responsible for the prize money levels, and it is also certain that there is some flexibility in the tracking towards the adjustment of the prize money levels which are adjusted on quarterly reviews of the projections and gambling figures.

Racing Queensland has most often been challenged by the Queensland Greyhounds Affiliation from September of last year, in terms of their revenues which they said had been clearly miscalculated. The QGA wrote to the outgoing acting chief, Ian Hall, stating that it had evidence in terms of data to prove that their revenue estimates were very incorrect and that the projections would never be used by any organization. Andrew Taylor, the owner of Greyhound stated that the RQ had pushed the industry so hard that the people in operation had to agree without hesitation. He left it up to them to handle the situation how they felt fit.

A year later after being caught in the live baiting investigation, humiliated greyhound racing trainers decided to speak out about their treatment.

Ron Ball, a legendarygreyhound racing trainer from Prenzelu at the South west of Brisbane is one of the 22 trainers who were given a warning by Racing Queensland. About 37 people were charged of animal brutality.

Mr Ball acknowledged that he was testing his dogs in February 2015 at Tom Noble’s property in South west Brisbane, where surveillance cameras were able to record a great number of live baiting incidents but Mr Ball claims not having seen them.

Mr Ball said he did not do anything wrong and he did not see anything wrong being done. He challenged the determination of the Racing Queensland Racing against him that led to his removal from the industry’s prestigious Greyhound Hall of Fame. Earlier this year, a decision was made to reduce his life ban to at least 10 years. However, Ball intends to take the case to the supreme court so that his name may be cleared.

“The whole issue has been distractive physically, mentally and financially. It has cost me approximately $140,000 and have received no income for 12 months and barred from every greyhound racetrack in Queensland. Not to mention, your character is being tarnished in the industry.”

91 year old Gatti also appealed for his life ban to be reduced to 10 years. Gatti said the industry ban has had a significant impact on him as long as finances are concerned.

Mr Gatti said, “ I used to get some good money from the dogs and now I am getting nothing. Instead, they are costing me.”

“ I have no money at all and to tell you the truth, I am unable to even pay my bills.”

Mark Townend, the chief executive officer of RSPCA Queensland said that the officers will continue to work with the police to investigate as well as penalize offenders.

According to the Inquiry, the officials of Greyhound racing NSW have refused to submit information of individual involved in live baiting to RSPCA due to privacy concerns.

The stewards of greyhound racing were told to “downplay” greyhound injuries and deaths to avoid negative publicity, the inquiry into the greyhound racing industry heard.

The special commission in charge of greyhound racing was told that the diary, which contained “valuable information”, was taken during a raid in February, 2015 on an anonymous trainer who was suspected of using live animals to train greyhounds in his property in Sydney.

David O’Shannessy, who is RSPCA’s chief inspector, told the commission of inquiry on Thursday that the society had asked Greyhound racing NSW to pinpoint the people in the diary that had a list of Christina names alongside telephone numbers.

David said the racing organization was not going to assist in the case unless they received a formal notice that prompt them to release the information.

On the other hand, RSPCA did not think it was necessary in the circumstances and did not want to be seen doing anything that will jeopardize any awaiting court cases.

The special commission was setup following last year’s scandal on live baiting that forced the industry to shake up.

The former CEO of Greyhound racing NSW, Brent Hogan alongside other board members had to step down from their positions after the scandal broke.

The inquiry was told that the stewards of greyhound racing were told to “cease” from offering too much information regarding injuries and deaths of greyhounds, because the industry was going to be affected by negative publicity.

The chief inspector of RSPCA said they had received a number of complaints within a year regarding greyhounds but the number rose to 100 in 2015 after the exposure of live baiting. With regards to that, the CEO of greyhound was recalled to provide evidence to the inquiry.

Brent Hogan, the former head of Greyhound Racing NSW isproviding evidence at the special commission of Inquiry in the next two days concerning the high rates of Greyhound injuries and poor welfare standards in the industry. The Inquiry already heard that the Officials played down the injuries in order to avoid negative publicity and no deaths were reported.

Mr Hogan stepped down as Greyhound’s Racing NSW CEO last year due to the wake of Four Corners on live baiting.

An email was sent to Commissioner MicaherMcHugh from the chief steward of GRNSW which urged the officials to downplay the injuries of the dogs in post-race events to avoid negativity. The mail suggested that a broken leg can be referred to as an injured leg.

According to the suggested policy, if a dog was put down after a race, it is only the injury that will be reported and not the death itself. As such, this policy misled the public and therefore policy change was necessary.

Mr Hogan told the commission that the change of policy was intended only to make it easier for steward’s report and make the language consistent.

According to the commissioner, it appears to him that the policy was made deliberately to excite the interest of animal welfare groups.

“ Do you agree that this policy mislead the public?” the commissioner asked.

Mr Hogan replied, “Looking back to it, Yes.”

The commission has previously been told that up to 17,000 dogs were not allowed to race because they were not good enough. In fact, every month, over 600 greyhounds are reported to be injured in Australia, suffering from different and serious bone fractures as well as musculoskeletal injuries.

“Nonetheless, it is clear that the controlling bodies have failed to keep and also publish comprehensive injury reports,” Stephen Rushton, the assisting counsel to the inquiry said.

Aging in greyhounds and horses can be fatal to the animals as their owners have no use to them. This mainly results in ending the lives of these animals that have their career coming to an end. Reports have indicated that over 15,000 dogs are killed each year when their career expires.

Animal wastage has been the prime welfare to all racing in the globe. There are however a number of greyhound owners and trainers who are conversant with the animal welfare. The killing of these animals has subdued in Australia as the NSW parliament select committee submitted a report that the killing claims conducted in three years up to 2012-2013 had gone down to 0.4%. There are a number of ways to reduce killing of greyhounds.

Restructuring races is one of these ways. Apparently, Australia can be in a position of re-homing about 2,000 greyhounds every year. This can be achieved from the 2014-2015 stats that showed that 834 adoptions were made.

Each year one out of four greyhounds retires. There are over 55,000 of these greyhounds in Australia. Rather than killing that one retiring dog, it could be more advisable to adopt it to families who like pet dogs. Generally, dogs can race for almost four years in their lifetime. This comes as the greyhounds need not be ridden, whipped or even made to jump obstacles in a race. They basically follow a straight line chasing a synthetic lure that is operated mechanically.

Back in 2009, the GRNSW took over the adoption role which saw more than 100 greyhounds adopted each year. This rose to several hundred as years went by. If at all the wasting of greyhounds is to be completely eliminated, the banning of these events must be eradicated for good. This will be the case incorporated by 39 states in the U.S.

The variation based on corporate model will involve the owners and trainers having their own breeding mechanism that would oversee the grey hounds take to the races three or four times in a year. This would eradicate the threats of career end threats and in turn would be fundamental in the elimination of wasting greyhounds.