The Gunnedah-based Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA) chairman said the decision to shut down the state’s greyhound industry as of July 1 next year was unfathomable.

“I can’t believe they would take this action because of a minority,” Rose told the Namoi Valley Independent.

“It’s a complete knee-jerk reaction.”

The shutdown follows the release of a Special Commission of Inquiry report which detailed “widespread cruelty” in the industry.

According to the report, up to 20 per cent of trainers engage in live baiting and 180 greyhounds a year sustain “catastrophic injuries” during races.

Rose was yet to read the report but also yet to receive any information from authorities.

One of the main sticking points was the lack of communication before Thursday’s decision.

“We’ve had no consultation about this, none whatsoever,” he said.

“I’m trying to find out some answers now.”

He thought all parties had done a “marvelous job” to clean up the the industry in the wake of the first live baiting scandal in early 2015.

He said the effect of the state-wide ban would be far-reaching but felt particularly hard in the local region.

“We supply 60 per cent of racing in NSW,” he said. 

“There’s at least 200 trainers in the New England area.

“Then there’s all the people off that.

“It’s not only the greyhound people that this affects, it’s the vet clinics, the wormers, the betting, the kibble… this is going to have a big ripple effect.

He said they supply racing to eight tracks in the state and he had employees at every one.

“My phone has been running off the hook from people now out of a job,” he said.

All NSW greyhound racing has been suspended for the next seven days.