This is a big issue in the Australian Capital Territory as the Greyhound Industry gears up for a legal challenge to the governments disbandment of it. The question is whether it constitutes a sport or a business that exploits innocent animals and causes them pain and suffering. The other agenda at work here is the clamp down on gambling in the territory. One can’t be seen to support a racing industry while denying other forms of it.
The feeling in the political arena is that people are spending wildly on things like poker machines and other forms of gambling. Many addicted to it have become homeless or dependent on charities and the like as a result. There is also the question of cruelty in the greyhound business when secret cameras filmed live bating in training sessions.
The animals in these images were rabbits, kittens, and possums, who were ultimately ripped to pieces. That was after being tied to a machine and driven at speed around the track with a pack of dogs in hot pursuit.
As a pet owner and one who respects all life this type of thing has disgusted me. Even more so as years ago when I gave some kittens away and a man told me he only wanted one to train his dogs. He never got it from me and my words to him were not so kind.
What is in the human psyche that supports this type of animal cruelty? That is what the Minister who issued the ban has also asked. Surely it is up to society to stand behind his judgement and let the matter proceed to court where hopefully the judge will favour the victims over the ones who make money from them.