New South Wales bans dog racing after abuse, scandals

Australia's greyhound industry was reeling on Thursday after the country's most populous state banned the sport following a string of scandals including "live baiting" and the slaughter of tens of thousands of dogs.

New South Wales state Premier Mike Baird said the industry appeared incapable of reform and his government would work toward a shutdown from July 1 next year.

"Greyhound racing has been banned in many countries and many states of the US and is legal in only eight countries around the world. New South Wales will be the first state in Australia to ban it," he said on Facebook.