After yet another expose from ABC of the brutal and cruel greyhound export trade, Deputy Leader and Animal Welfare spokesperson for the Australian Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi has called on the Government to ban this practice once and for all.
There will be a Senate inquiry into Senator Faruqi’s bill to ban greyhound exports on Friday 15th September, which will shed light on the failures of this cruel industry and the need for change.
Greyhounds, Senator Faruqi, animal welfare organisations, and advocates will gather on Front Parliament Lawn ahead of the hearing on Friday to support a ban on greyhound exports.
Senator Faruqi said:
“I don’t believe the greyhound and gambling industry gives a damn about dogs in or outside Australia. For them, these dogs are out of sight, out of mind. They just hope no one discovers their dirty little secret and they don’t get caught.
“Successive federal governments have ignored the plight of exported greyhounds and this must end. A ban on commercial greyhound export is long overdue.
“The industry’s response to the problem of exported greyhounds, the greyhound passport system, is a complete and utter failure. It is useless with holes so big you could drive a b-double truck through it. It is essentially unenforceable with no statutory power.
“Greyhounds from Australia are routinely being sent overseas to race, ending up in countries where there isn’t a semblance of animal welfare protection for these poor dogs.
“My bill is a simple reform and an important one. It will put a stop to a completely inhumane practice that has caused far too much suffering for far too many dogs.
“The industry and the government has known about the ill fate of exported greyhounds for years but the practice still goes on.
“No matter what the industry says, neither the welfare of dogs nor where they end up can be guaranteed once they are exported. The only sensible and appropriate measure is to shut down the trade altogether.
“Greyhounds keep ending up in horrific conditions again and again and there is absolutely nothing in Australian Law to stop this from happening.
“The industry races these gentle, beautiful animals to exhaustion for cash then washes its hands of the responsibility to ensure their welfare by shipping them overseas.
“The industry has been dragged to the table every single time to make any small improvement in animal welfare at all. Now exposed again, they are making a half-hearted cynical attempt to look like they are doing something.
“The gambling industry may have a hold on the major parties in this country, but the tide of public opinion has long turned against greyhound racing. It’s only a matter of time before this violent spectacle of a sport is remembered as a shameful chapter in our nation’s history.
“It’s time for the government to step in, show some leadership and shut it down.”