Greyhound racing banned in NSW: The industry reacts

Greyhound clubs, meanwhile, are trying to come to terms with the NSW government's decision. 

Armidale Greyhound club secretary Barry Mitchell said it was disappointing the whole industry has been affected because of the acts of a few others in the sport. 

"You're are probably blaming the whole industry for something that got out of hand on a low scale," he told The Armidale Express.

"Heaps of things happen in other sports whether it is a two-legged sport or a four-legged sport but you don't penalise the whole sport because of a minor few and this is what I feel they have tried to do. 

"A lot of people agree with it but they are people who don't really understand the sport.

"Look at all sports. There is something that you could pick them up on.

"You could ban every sport you wanted."

Local Tamworth trainers are in absolute shock over the decision to shut down the greyound racing trainer.

One Tamworth-based trainer, who did not want to be named, said he "couldn't believe it" and the news had "come out of the blue".

He said he fears for the animals, as well as the livelihoods of some of the locals trainers in country areas.

Wagga Wagga Greyhound Racing Club is trying to come to terms with the NSW Government’s shock decision to axe the sport.

The decision has sent Riverina’s greyhound community into shock with the decision to affect the livelihoods of hundreds of participants in the region.

It was only a fortnight ago that Wagga Greyhound Club announced a $230,000 track renovation at Wagga Showground.

Just this week the club also announced a record three-year sponsorship deal with Ladbrokes, worth $36,000.

Wagga Greyhound Club president Maurice Finemore and racing manager John Patton were still in shock.

Mr Patton was only appointed to the full-time position of racing manager in April.

The club was waiting to hear from Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) on Thursday before making comment.

Wagga was set to host it’s last race meeting on Friday night before closing for three months to renovate the track.

It is now understood they will not close or proceed with the renovations.

Baird said he plans to work with innocent industry participants towards an ‘orderly industry shutdown’. The end date is understood to be July 1, 2017.

“I feel much empathy for innocent trainers and those who will lose their job or hobby as a result of this,” Baird said in a statement.

“And I understand the disappointment of people who enjoy having a punt on the dogs. But we simply cannot and will not stand-by and allow the widespread and systemic mistreatment of animals.”

The closure will now see Wagga Show Society lose a second tenant with Wagga Harness Racing Club set to be at their new home by September next year.

A greyhound trainer from Casino in northern NSW has reportedly claimed he will be seeking some $250,000 in compensation from the NSW government for its decision to ban the industry.

Darryl Armfield, a trainer for six years and owner of 13 dogs and 10 pups, has told a local newspaper he will suffer up to $250,000 in losses from the industry's closure. 

Greyhound Racing NSW has released a statement to say the industry is "devastated" by today's decision.

"Given today's announcement, GRNSW has made the decision to suspend greyhound racing for the next seven days beginning with immediate effect," the statement said.

"Today is an extremely sad day for the NSW greyhound racing industry and the people involved in it."

The rest of the statement from Greyhound Racing NSW outlines some of the changes the industry has made over the last year.

"Around our state there are many thousands of responsible participants who treat their greyhounds like family who are involved in the greyhound racing industry either through training, racing or supporting the sport," the statement says.

"These people were as dismayed as others by the exposure of completely unacceptable and inhumane practices within greyhound racing. That is why they supported the significant reforms made by Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) over the last 12 months.

"In the past 16 months, GRNSW has transformed the organisation and regulation of the industry to significantly improve animal welfare and supervision of the industry.

"The industry wanted to do more and was committed in doing so."