The shock waves of last Thursday’s decision by Premier Mike Baird to ban greyhound racing as of July 1, 2017, have been felt on a very large scale both locally and nationwide.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Well-known Murringo trainer Paul Wheeler and his family have invested millions of dollars in their greyhound venture, something which is more than just a business to them, but a passion.
The NSW government’s decision to put a stop to greyhound racing has hit Wheeler hard.
“We have 3000 acres and have spent somewhere between six and eight million dollars on our business which will be useless after the government’s decision,” Mr Wheeler said.
“Including family, we employ 13 people – two from Young, two from Koorawatha, two from Murringo and one from Boorowa – all locals who are going to be out of a job.
“My son is a third generation greyhound trainer.
“Like me, he was born into greyhounds, and also like me, he loves the sport.
“Because of the government’s decision, he will have to re-skill and find something else to do.
“I’m too old to start again and do anything else now,” he said.
While he would be disappointed in this decision anyway, Mr Wheeler said the hardest thing to take is that the government based their decision on assumptions.
“The decision is not based on facts,” Mr Wheeler added.
“No greyhound body is keeping statistics on how many dogs are being put down.
“The number of 60,000 over a 12 year period is a guess.
“There are a lot of variables to take into account such as most greyhounds are flat out even living to 12 years of age.
“Out of thousands of people who train greyhounds in NSW, 10 have been charged with live baiting.
“There have been no further breaches since the initial investigation.
“What they are basing their decision on are assumptions, not substantiated facts.
“I always believed it is the government’s job to regulate, not decimate, but that is what they are doing to the greyhound industry,” he said.