Media release – Animal Liberation Tasmania, 10 August 2023

Drone footage from prominent greyhound trainer Gary Johnson published by Animal Liberation Tasmania

Today Animal Liberation Tasmania has released further footage from Tasmania’s greyhound racing industry.

The footage was reportedly captured on the 23rd July 2023, the same week as the footage from Bullock’s property.

That release of footage resulted in an investigation into Bullock’s activities and the suspension of his racing licence.

“What we see at Johnson’s is more of the same disregard for the dogs themselves. No bedding, little to no actual protection from the cold, they’re just racked up like tools waiting to be used.” – Kristy Alger, Animal Liberation Tasmania

“It is becoming evident that this is the industry standard for storing dogs until they are needed for racing.”- Kristy Alger

“Of concern is the proximity of a number of dogs to the holding pens of Johnson’s slaughterhouse, where it is widely known horses from the racing industry often end up. Those dogs are being exposed to the sounds and smells of stressed animals at slaughter; anyone who knows greyhounds as individuals knows just how sensitive they can be to such stimulus.” – Kristy Alger

Animal Liberation Tasmania has committed themselves to showing the truth of the greyhound racing industry, and showing what the standard of this industry is.


Media release – Kristie Johnston MP, independent Member for Clark, 10 August 2023

Shameful Greyhound Industry in Tatters

Today more footage has surfaced of greyhounds living in horrendous conditions at a trainer’s premises.

Earlier this week I drew Racing Minister Felix Ellis’ attention to apparent terrible treatment of dogs at Anthony Bullock’s property at Westbury, which has caused the Office of Racing Integrity to finally commit to an investigation of this facility.

Now we have perhaps what appears to be even worse conditions at Ulverstone Greyhound Trainer, Gary Johnson’s property.

In Parliament the Minister has relied on the oft-repeated assertion that racing is a Tasmanian “way of life” and therefore needs some sort of protection.

Really? Systemic animal cruelty is a Tasmanian way of life?

This Minister fails to acknowledge that Tasmanians do not accept this is the life they embrace. They want the horror show that is greyhound racing to stop.

Tasmanians do not accept industrialised animal cruelty as their ‘way of life’.

We need a full and independent inquiry into greyhound racing in Tasmania, so that Tasmanian taxpayers know exactly what is going on and where their money is going.

The full text of my question follows:

Thank you Mister Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Racing.

Minister, this morning we have seen new deeply disturbing footage released by Animal Liberation Tasmania, showing Ulverstone Greyhound Trainer, Gary Johnson’s property, where countless dogs are forced to live in squalor and filth with animal carcasses strewn across the property.

The vision includes dogs living in tiny cages where they can barely turn around with little or no bedding, others housed in tin sheds with no protection from the elements, and in a desperate attempt try and keep warm many are forced to dig holes in the dirt to make their own beds.

This is all occurring right next to Mr Johnson’s slaughterhouse where he kills wastage from the racing industry.

These dogs can hear, see and smell death in the air.

Anthony Bullock might be the industry’s biggest bad apple, but he’s not the only bad apple.

Minister on Tuesday, you said that the racing industry is a way of life in Tasmania but what is happening to these dogs is nothing but cruel. Is this the Tasmanian way of life you speak of?

How much more evidence do you need before you admit that nothing short of a full independent inquiry will save these dogs from the life of hell they’re currently living?


Media release – Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, 10 August 2023

BEYOND TIME TO SHUT GREYHOUND INDUSTRY DOWN

Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, has called for a complete ban on greyhound racing. Please see attached link for full speech to the Federal Parliament – https://andrewwilkie.org/2023/08/beyond-time-to-shut-greyhound-industry-down/

“It’s no secret that the greyhound racing industry results in animals suffering unbearable cruelty, which is why I’ve long campaigned to ban greyhound racing within Australia,” Mr Wilkie said. “My office is constantly contacted by members of the community who share my disgust with this industry and its abhorrent treatment of dogs throughout the country. The recent footage of a Tasmanian trainer’s property, showing inadequate shelter for dogs and dead animal carcasses, is especially distressing. But sadly it’s nothing we haven’t seen before, or after.

“According to the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds, this year in Australia there have been 73 recorded track deaths and 6,592 track injuries. In Tasmania alone, there have been five reported greyhound deaths and 187 injuries.

“The fact that Australia is only one of seven countries where greyhound racing is still legal is a telling figure, as is the fact that even among the six other countries allowing racing the popularity of greyhound racing is diminishing.

“Indeed Australia has the largest commercial greyhound racing industry in the world, with approximately 64 tracks as of 2022, compared to 22 tracks in the United Kingdom, 17 in Ireland, and less than 10 tracks between New Zealand, the United States, Mexico and Vietnam. In fact, in the US greyhound racing is now illegal in at least 42 states, with only two active greyhound racetracks remaining.

“I stand by my long held belief that the only way to actually ensure the safety of greyhounds is to ban greyhound racing entirely. Frankly, there is simply no conceivable way to breed, train and race in a way that reliably meets animal welfare standards.”