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Tuesday 19 March 2024
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Australian Greyhound Racing – To Ban or Not to Ban

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People across the globe have witnessed various kinds of diverse sports and activities that include animals for the sake of human entertainment and experiences. Starting from the animal fights in the historical era to the existing cowboy sports and more, Australian greyhound racing is another such sports that are popular among not just Australians but also other countries. First greyhound race in Australia cannot be traced back, but in 1936, Dapto Greyhound Club earned its license to legally run the Australian greyhound racing which was supervised by Dapto Agricultural & Horticultural Society. This society conducted around 40 meetings every year.

What is Australian greyhound racing?

Greyhound racing is also famous in countries like USA, England, New Zealand and Ireland and also a hot thing in Australia. These countries are like the major countries supporting this sport in the world.

As the technique of the sport, greyhounds are put on a race where they chase a fake rabbit which is called the ‘lure’ in game terms and have to chase it around a track till they cross the finishing line. The dog that crosses the line first, it considered the winner. Greyhound racing has become an integral part of the gambling business. It is most popular among the working class male population as betting is a common and enthusiastic zone for them. This has also is a matter of rising concern towards the well-being and health status of the dogs in the presence of such a sport. AGRA regulated and held all the regulations of such races and bets.

What is AGRA?

AGRA stands for Australian Greyhound Racing Association; this is a governing body which regulates to look up to the welfare and conditions of racing greyhounds. This governing body is divided in many state level governing bodies with the initiative of looking after the greyhounds. The responsibilities include anoverall examination of the dogs to check for parasites, any medical condition or undernourishment.

Australian Greyhound racing banned in New South Wales

The state of NSW declared the greyhound racing to be cruel due to the cruelty to animals and also using of live baits and the massacre of around 68,000 dogs that were deemed as slow and not fit for competition. This sport was tagged as an extensive way of mistreatment of the animals. With a legacy of 140 years, these allegations of mistreatment were widespread across Australia, even though this was a very popular gambling sport among the New South Wales men, the state decided on looking on to the matter and conduct aninquiry on it. The other states of Australia didn’t follow the steps of NSW and continue to host the Greyhound racing, though even the ban on the sport was overturned after some time.

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The Greyhound racing ban was overthrown

After the ban was passed in August, it back flipped as Mike Baird, NSW premier decided to rule the ban over to overcome his losing popularity. Then ban was enforced to protect the dogs after inquiry surfaced the incidents of 68,000 dogs slaughtered over a span of 12 years and also the fact that one out of five trainers used alive baits for training these greyhounds. With the state premier willing to provide the greyhound industry another chance, the files on abuse of the animals has been overlooked.

Penalties emphasizing on animal well-being

Keeping in mind the events occurring due to the ban on greyhound industry and the flip, the Government gave more emphasis on dealing the cruelty and mistreatment towards animals through funding the animal welfare groups like RSPCA and also extensive funding for shelter facilities in NSW.

The ban was reversed with theintroduction of few clauses to make the racing a little healthier and less cruel:

  • Introduction of fewer tracks
  • Hosting of fewer races
  • Breeding of dogs to be allowed till 2,000
  • $1500 bond for every single dog breed
  • Life management for every greyhound

The ban would have been a quick positive support to stop the cruelty that was being endowed on the greyhounds but if seen in the long run, the ban would have resulted in loss of a 140-year-old sport from Australia which is also quite well known across the globe and is a very successfully running industry in the present age.

With the greyhound racing in full action again with few implications for the government, it is better to know some tricks and tips that come handy for studying dogs. This becomes helpful when you’re placing a bet. Things to consider before placing a bet are the age and performance history of the greyhound you’re putting your money on. Another way to secure places in a gaining position would be by ignoring the decision and craving to replay all your winnings immediately. There are a lot of online betting facilities available on the internet now; this is one of the places where you can place your bet https://www.williamhill.com.au/greyhound-racing