Ms Nicole Matthews:

The global greyhound industry has gone too far to be saved. Let us consider what happens overseas. As many as 40 states of America have banned dog racing and the remaining states have no tracks. Argentina has completely banned dog racing. The industry in Australia is on its knees and it is only a matter of time before the rug is whipped out from underneath the industry. I want to express my thanks to former New South Wales Premier Baird for raising concerns about animal welfare. Cruelty will be a feature of any industry that views animals as entertainment and a way to make a profit.

The greyhound racing tracks in the UK are falling like dominos. Greyhound racing tracks, like the one at Harold's Cross, formed a stable part of the industry in the past but they have now admitted defeat and shut their doors. People who operated within the industry bubble never foresaw a decline. The industry has declined too far to be saved. I shall touch on what has been said about social media. The public worldwide has brought the industry to its knees and it cannot be saved.

In terms of exports, an enormous amount of dogs are still being thrown in on top of an industry that is on its knees, cannot cope, cannot recover and does not have public support. The industry no longer has the support of companies that were once very willing to provide sponsorship. Those companies now know that their business and personal credibility would take a nosedive overnight if they were involved in the industry. They do not want to be associated with the industry in any shape or form.

We are still on top of many issues, including overbreeding. A vulgar amount of taxpayers' money is piled in on top of this issue that is like an abyss. The money acts like a quick catch-up until the next year comes around but the same debts arise again. The industry is never going to recover. We have reached the point where we must admit defeat. The greyhound industry is old fashioned and very cruel. The dogs never win and are never prioritised. The industry's only priority is making a profit, which is how it has always been. The dogs are an afterthought .

I have given a home to two greyhounds so I can talk about how incredibly docile, friendly and sociable these dogs are. The breed has a great nature and personality. I am appalled by what they must endure and have been forced to do all in the name of entertainment. The racing itself takes a toll on their bodies. All of that pales into insignificance when compared with what these animals can give back in a home environment. I have three young kids and I also have a cat and two other dogs. One of my rescued greyhounds is a survivor of the dogmeat trade in China. He came from the underbelly of the slaughterhouses that are located on the outskirts of Shanghai. Due to the horrific demands placed on his body and the conditions he had to endure he was dispensed with. When his previous owner or breeder did not see a return for their training he was sold to the slaughterhouses in China. He was next on the list to be dispatched when he was rescued. My dog's name is Legend and he is the most amazing, friendly and sociable dog but he is just one dog of many that have suffered. I have been around so many greyhounds in high energy circumstances. Greyhounds are an incredible breed. I have witnessed how they positively react to social settings such as public campaigns to raise awareness of their plight. We must no longer view them as money making machines and just view them the same as any other domestic breed.

They are entitled to that. This industry has done them no good. It continues to leave them last on its list of priorities. The industry needs to step back and, once and for all, help this country's rescued dogs in particular. The situation in terms of pounds and rescued dogs is at crisis level. They are depending on public support. I do not know how they manage expenses such as vet bills and neutering dogs on a daily basis.

It should be top of the list of priorities that our dogs are neutered before being sent abroad. This is another horrific side of the industry. Why are all dogs not neutered before being sent abroad? They are being sent to heinous conditions and surroundings and to temperatures that their respiratory systems cannot deal with. Greyhounds are a unique breed in that it has been scientifically proven that high temperatures make their systems overheat at a much faster rate than any other dog. However, our country and our Government ship our unwanted dogs abroad instead of investing in them and helping our country's rescued dogs. The Government should do right by our dogs and our so-called unwanted dogs and help the public perception shift a little bit more. Is that not the very least that we owe these dogs?