In February this year, ABC program Four Corners aired Making a Killing, an investigation into the truly f*@ked world of greyhound racing in Australia.
The story revealed widespread cheating and illegality across the multi-billion dollar industry, as well as unconscionable levels of animal cruelty.
As an observer told Four Corners: “Putting together animals, gambling and prize purses is a toxic mix. It’s capable of turning men into monsters.”
The disturbing story has so far directly led to six parliamentary inquiries, multiple criminal prosecutions and many industry sackings. SUCK IT, DOG KILLERS.
Happily the investigation has also led to huge growth in ex-racing greyhound adoptions across Australia, with 267 dogs re-homed this year to date – a doubling of last year’s numbers. Yay!
Greyhound Racing NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Elizabeth Arnott says Making a Killing has fostered mass interest in NSW‘s industry run adoption program and has also made a significant impact on the industry’s breeding and re-homing practices.
Similarly Peter Flan, who runs the racing dog re-homing charity Greyhound Rescue, has seen increased interest in greyhound adoption since the program went to air.
“I think the racing industry is in chaos these days since that one and since the more recent ABC 7.30 Report [into the exportation of greyhounds]. We are getting lots and lots of inquiries for people to take greyhounds in.”
Source: ABC.
Photo: Getty / Chicago Tribune.
