THE owner of a champion dog once valued at $1 million says reports of the NSW Government’s plan to pay $1500 compensation per banned greyhound is “insulting”.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Clergate owner David Pringle reacted to strongly to reports NSW Premier Mike Baird is contemplating making a standardised payment of $1500 for each racing dog when his controversial industry-wide ban takes effect.
In 2014 Mr Pringle took Shakey Jakey to Wentworth Park for the only race of the dog’s career. He won his race by an incredible 22 lengths, smashing the track record in the process.
The decision was made to retire the dog to stud immediately, a move which attracted offers of up to $1m from buyers who recognised the breeding value of a champion male greyhound.
Value Mr Pringle says the premier’s offer won’t come close to honouring.
“$1500 is pretty insulting,” he said.
The government is expected to announce details of a $30m relief package for trainers, owners and breeders in the coming weeks, including provisions for up to $1500 per racing dog, with retired dogs to receive less.
Regardless of the Government’s offer Mr Pringle isn’t interested in compensation.
“I won’t be taking the compensation, I’m going to stay here and beat this,” he said.
“It’s more than money which goes into dogs.”
Mr Pringle said the impending ban had bitten into his livelihood.
“Shakey Jakey hasn’t served a bitch in three to four months,” he said.
The greyhound ban has become a key issue in the Orange byelection scheduled for Saturday, November 12.
Mr Pringle said the swing against the Nationals in pre-vote polls supported the greyhound industry’s campaign.
“I’m doing everything I can to get people to vote against the Nats,” Mr Pringle said.
“Everywhere I go, people I’ve worked with have asked who they need to vote for. They’re not punters, not trainers, but people wanting to overturn the ban.
"The odds for the Nats are lengthening. They don’t realise they’ve picked on the wrong industry”
Mr Pringle said he would not stop campaigning until the ban was overturned, even with conjecture its implementation might be delayed until 2020.
“It’s my living.”