The New South Wales Opposition has vowed to fight against the State Government’s plan to ban greyhound racing.

It follows Premier Mike Baird’s announcement on Thursday to ban the industry from July next year after special commission of inquiry uncovered reports of systemic animal cruelty, including mass killings and live baiting.

The inquiry, led by former high court judge Michael McHugh, found that up to 68,000 greyhounds bred in the past 12 years had been destroyed because they were considered uncompetitive.

That amounted to about half the greyhound population, the report said.

It also said that evidence suggested up to 20 percent of trainers engaged in the practice of ‘live baiting’, where animals such as rabbits are chased by dogs during training sessions.

McHugh’s report added that “many trainers” did not seek proper or adequate veterinary treatment for injured dogs, instead preferring “cheap and sometimes painful methods of treating greyhound injuries”.

It added the industry had turned a blind eye to reports of animal cruelty.

However, NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley told reporters today that he would oppose the ban, adding that Labor will be pushing for the sport to be cleaned up rather than shut down altogether.

Mr Foley said the greyhound industry could be cleaned up by adopting the 79 recommendations from the inquiry.

– with other agencies