The Honourable Mike Baird MP
Premier of New South Wales
Australia

Dear Premier,
Responding to the findings of the special commission, you and your government decided to close down the greyhound racing industry in New South Wales. Some in the industry are seeking to test your resolve and are threatening a legal challenge. We urge you and your colleagues to stand firm as nothing has changed since your assertion that you are simply “doing the right thing.”

The arguments:
1 An argument that cites the loss of businesses and employment as a reason to maintain an industry that involves the manipulation and cruel treatment of animals is not and can never be a valid argument.

2 An argument that says that greyhound racing is a long-standing activity, a tradition, can never be a reason to maintain an industry that involves the manipulation and cruel treatment of animals.
Some traditions cannot be justified and should be discontinued.

3 An argument that says other states will continue to use greyhounds making the move meaningless is spurious as there will be no greater incentive for other states to follow suit than seeing one state taking a stand by closing this industry in NSW.
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The closure of this industry signals the willingness of your government to lead the way in committing to meaningful change on behalf of vulnerable animals and it shows great leadership in enhancing our humanity towards others, including animals.

Inherently cruel
Finally, the activity can never be reformed as its goal is to win races which necessitates "wastage" to get the fastest dogs and the tens of thousands of excess and spent dogs cannot be rehomed and simply have nowhere to go.
The few bad apples defence is not valid. More like rotten to the core with mostly bad apples.

Please stand firm and utilise the resources needed to defend the integrity of your decision.
We thank you.