Tasmania Greyhound Racing: Way off track

Greyhound racing is under scrutiny after allegations of live baiting. [Source: The Advocate]

In Tasmania, controversy has erupted over the use of live baiting in greyhound racing. Although live baiting has long been banned, last month, ABC's Four Corners broadcasted a graphic exposé of the practice. In the videos, live piglets, possums and rabbits were strapped to mechanical lures for the greyhounds to chase and eventually kill. If the animals were maimed in a run, but still alive, they were reused again and again. In one clip, a possum was chased around the track 26 times. By the end, the possum had been snapped in half and was only attached to the lure by its spinal cord.

Greyhound trainers use live baiting to gain a competitive edge in races. The pressure is intense, given how much money is funneled into greyhound racing each year (Australians spend $4 billion on the sport annually). The footage was recorded at private training tracks in Queensland and Victoria, but investigations have been launched in Tasmania, as well.

Tasmanian politicians and citizens alike have expressed their outrage at these reports and footage. Although evidence has yet to be obtained and live baiting may be difficult to prove, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is dedicated to the investigation, and plans to enforce a lifetime ban of any offenders.

I vote NAY for seeing greyhound races in Tasmania.

References:

1. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-17/tasmanian-greyhound-racing-industry-to-be-reviewed-live-baiting/6132270
2. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-17/life-ban-sought-for-greyhound-live-baiting-offenders-in-tasmania/6326408
3. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-16/live-baiting-expose-to-rock-greyhound-industry/6109878 
4. http://tasracing.com.au/
5. http://www.greyhoundcruelty.com/