Sponsors Flee Greyhound Racing Amid Shocking Revelations Of Cruelty
In a week rocked with revelations of shocking animal abuse, things are getting even worse for Australia's greyhound racing industry.
Beverage maker Schweppes Australia announced on Thursday that it was cutting all ties, including any sponsorship, with greyhound racing. The move comes just days after disturbing undercover footage was released showing prominent dog trainers using live animals as bait to supposedly improve greyhounds' performance on the track.
The company told 9news.com.au they were "shocked and appalled" by the blatant cruelty.
Schweppes Australia joins a growing number of corporate sponsors, including Mazda, Hyundai, and Century 21, to pull support from dog racing amid the live-baiting scandal, but businesses aren't the only ones up in arms.
On Wednesday, government leaders in New South Wales ordered the resignation of the state's entire Greyhound Racing board, promising to "reform and reshape" the industry.
For Animals Australia and other welfare groups, however, reforms are not enough - that's why they're calling for an end to dog racing, writing on their website:
"There is no way that this industry can legitimately continue to operate."