NSW's illl-considered ban on greyhound racing: the thin end of the wedge

A broader issue to be borne in mind in the ban on greyhound racing is that some of the key animal welfare organisations involved are not altogether candid about their motives. 

While many of the more conservative elements within the RSPCA, for example, may simply wish to improve standards of animal welfare, Animals Australia, and (especially)  the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have a more radical agenda.  It is clear from PETA's website (and other material) that PETA wishes to close all livestock industries, ban the use of all animal products, promote vegetarianism, close all zoos and circuses, and ban all activities involving humans using animals (from horse riding through to using dogs as working animals on farms or as guide dogs).  If such policies had been followed in the past, millennia of human progress clearly could not have happened

It is clear that in addition to being hostile to greyhound racing, PETA would specifically also like to shut down horse racing, and would like to also ban the keeping of companion animals.  Animals Australiaare less forthcoming but clearly are openly opposed to livestock industries, promote vegetarianism, and seem to be fellow-travellers with PETA.  If actions to shut down greyhound racing are successful, horse racing will be the next target.  Steeplechasing/jumps racing will come first.  There are already calls to end this form of racing.  Eventually, even the Melbourne Cup, the Golden Slipper, and all mainstream flat racing will be in jeopardy.

In all this, my conclusion is that Mike Baird must have completely lost his marbles!