GREYHOUND RACING INDUSTRY — LIVE BAITING
1218. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister for Racing and Gaming:
(1) Will the
minister please table the full report on the investigation undertaken by Racing
and Wagering WA into the use of live baiting by the greyhound industry in WA?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Is the
minister satisfied that the WA greyhound industry is operating legally and
ethically within community expectations for the highest animal welfare
standards?
Hon COL HOLT replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1) Racing and
Wagering Western Australia, prior to the Four Corners program into live
baiting, undertook regular surveillance and investigations to ensure animal
welfare and rules of racing were being adhered to. Following the program, RWWA
increased its surveillance and investigations, which evidenced, together with
the RSPCA's offer of a reward, that live baiting is not undertaken in
Western Australia. There is not a formal report that documents these processes.
(2) There is no report.
(3) I receive
regular briefings from the governing body for racing in WA, RWWA, in which it
confirms its commitment to animal welfare.