World

NSW govt bans greyhound racing

16:01 pm on 7 July 2016

The New South Wales government has announced it will end greyhound racing in the state from 1 July 2017.

It comes after a special commission of inquiry found overwhelming evidence of systemic animal cruelty, including mass greyhound killings and live baiting - allowing dogs chase and kill live animals.

Premier Mike Baird said the report was damning and the industry was not capable in the short or medium term of reforming.

Inquiry commissioner Michael McHugh told the state parliament it should consider whether the industry had lost its "social licence" to operate and should be shut down.

He said if the industry continued, there was a "very real risk" that live baiting would continue.

It comes after an ABC report last year revealed conclusive evidence of live baiting during secret training sessions involving piglets, possums and rabbits.

- ABC