After declaring its "best year ever", Greyhound Racing NSW is under fire over a series of alleged management failures.
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Racing Minister David Harris has issued a show cause notice to its board, alleging the organisation has breached the terms of its operating licence.
The notice requires the board to declare anything that may bring the sport and its administration into disrepute.
According to media reports, the action relates to claims the governing body failed to properly manage a series of complaints over how it operates and other matters, at a time of rising dog injuries and concern over adoption programs.
The minister declined to comment on the specifics of the breaches but assured the public via a statement that he considered animal welfare paramount.
"The minister for gaming and racing is committed to supporting a competitive, responsible and sustainable greyhound racing industry, with the highest standards of animal welfare and integrity," he said.
As recently as this week, Greyhound racing NSW CEO Rob Macaulay was at pains to point out the industry was setting records in both animal welfare and sustainability.
"We're immensely proud of how far our sport has come since almost being shut down," he declared on the body's website on Tuesday.
"This has only been possible thanks to our participants, partners and dedicated supporters."
In 2016, then NSW premier Mike Baird announced a ban on greyhound races following extensive misconduct but backflipped on the plans before they took effect.
More recently in Victoria, continued concerns about the welfare of greyhounds led to the announcement of a tracking program to monitor dogs for their entire lives.
The digital platform is due to be implemented this month and will monitor all dogs, following concerns of over-breeding, rehoming and track deaths.
It will record the health and location of registered greyhounds from birth, throughout their career and into retirement and death.
Twenty greyhounds have died racing on Victorian tracks in 2024, eight more than any other state, according to the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds.
The system is expected to be fully implemented in the next two years.
Australian Associated Press
