IT CAN often take a near-death experience to truly feel alive.
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And so it was with the NSW greyhound industry.
Former Premier Mike Baird’s decision to consign the industry to the scrapheap was an act of political bastardry – or at least gross misjudgement.
But nothing unites like a common enemy and the proposed ban not only forced the greyhound industry to clean up its act, it also united a fractured group.
The industry ran a well-orchestrated campaign to jolt some sense into the government, and ultimately succeeded.
Its challenge now is to remain united and not allow the industry to slide back into the cesspit of corruption.
Greyhound racing is a competitive game, made even more so by the omnipresent lure of money.
Trainers and owners naturally want an edge, and historically, a small percentage have used doping and live-baiting to achieve that.
Tough new laws, which include five-year jail terms and lifetime bans for live baiting, will spook some potential cheats.
But others won’t be able to resist the temptation to make a quick buck.
If they are caught, and they will be, the industry must universally condemn them.
Make no mistake, this newspaper will name and shame any local greyhound participant caught live-baiting or doping.
When the DA exposed live-baiting in Wagga last year, many in the industry opted for a siege mentality, accusing us of fabricating the story rather than accepting the ugly reality.
If participants don’t heed the lessons of the past, the future will be bleak.
They would be foolish to think a ban could not be re-enacted by another government.
We live in the age of rampant political correctness and Mr Baird’s original ban will have emboldened the animal liberationists.
They will be watching closely and ready to galvanise support through social media.
The establishment of an independent Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission, recommended this week, is a promising start.
It is manifestly unfair that the actions of a rotten few almost spoiled what is a way of life for so many.
But if the corrupt minority are again able to infiltrate dog racing scene, it’s odds-on the sport will be tossed into the dustbin of history.