Prominent former journalist and broadcaster Peter Gee has joined the campaign to end taxpayer-funded greyhound racing, saying there is no need to continue to “prop up” the industry, The Mercury reports
Mr Gee, who retired from the ABC in 2018, is the newest ambassador to join the 12 community organisations lobbying to end funding, along with Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary founder Greg Irons and radio host Christie Hayes.
Mr Gee said he had attended greyhound races at the TCA ground in Hobart and at Tattersall’s Park and has friends and associates who are involved in the sport, but adopting a retired greyhound had led to a deeper understanding about the death and injury rates.
“There’s no doubt some owners and trainers – perhaps the vast majority – love their dogs,” Mr Gee said.
“But there’s no escaping the fact that they are still willing to shove them into a box at the track, along with seven other dogs, and play Russian roulette with their lives every week or two.
“I think the writing is well and truly on the wall for the ‘industry’.
“It’s not going to happen overnight but with New Zealand’s phasing out of greyhound racing I’d like to think it’s only a matter of time here.
“I certainly think the Tasmanian taxpayer should not be propping up a ‘sport’ that only owners and trainers of the racing dogs go to watch.”
The campaign to end taxpayer-funded greyhound racing by 2029 includes RSPCA Tasmania, Dogs Homes of Tasmania, the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds and the Companion Animal Network of Australia, 24 vets and 16 vet nurses.