The Big Grey Film

The Big Grey Film will investigate allegations of systemic animal welfare and social issues surrounding the greyhound racing and gambling industries and the significant harm reportedly caused to dogs and the public.

Australians loves dogs, boasting an average of 1.3 dogs per household and the world’s largest greyhound racing industry, worth over 40 billions dollars annually. Most Aussies, however, are unaware of the racing industry’s potentially serious costs.

The industry reports multiple on-track deaths each week as well as hundreds of injuries. Also, ongoing reports of animal welfare and problem gambling issues have resulted in recent government inquiries and put the sport at risk of being shut down.

The film will conduct an unprecedented journalistic investigation into these issues, as well as allegations of taxpayer funding, self-regulation and corruption. It will also explore potential positive reforms for both dogs and the public.

Australia has an average of 1.3 dogs per household and 87 percent of Australians strongly believe that animals should be protected by animal welfare legislation. Despite this, we have an industry that injures and kills thousands of dogs every week.

Greyhound racing has been outlawed in all but 6 countries for the dangers posed to both animals and the public, including issues such as animal abuse, doping, live baiting and problem gambling.

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Like most Australians, I share a cultural and emotional kinship to dogs. They are more than just pets, they are our best mates and family members. My hope is that by meeting on common ground (mutual love for dogs) agreements can be reached and positive outcomes can be formed for the betterment of racing dogs.

I aim to take a journalistic approach to the issues surrounding this industry and allowing for voices to be heard from each side of the track, in order to unravel the complex personal, cultural, and governmental factors involved.

I also hope that looking through the gentle, soulful eyes of the greyhound allows the audience to reflect on related social issues such as equality, liberty and morality.

During the production and promotion of my short film about greyhounds, I gained significant access to the aforementioned audiences and collaborators, who have expressed interest in this documentary. Some of these are below.

Media personalities, Todd McKenney and Jessica Fox, who are greyhound owners and advocates for GAP, Australia’s largest greyhound rehoming organisation.

Politicians involved in greyhound policy-making, Georgie Purcell, Mehreen Faruqi and members of the Greens party, and Racing Integrity Commissioner, Shane Gillard.

Andrea Pollard, Director of national greyhound advocacy group, Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds, who compile comprehensive industry, media and government reports.

Australia’s major greyhound rescue organisations including Greyhound Rescue, Greyt Greys Rescue, Friends of the Hound, Free the Hound and Greyhound Welfare Initiative.

I also have access to greyhound trainers, veterinarians and industry insiders.

This film will promote calls and actionable solutions for positive cultural, legislative and operational reforms, to benefit animals and the public:
– It will ask the public to foster/adopt one of the thousands of greyhounds discarded by the industry every year, call on the industry and government for reform, and support greyhound advocacy organisations.
– It will call on the government to reduce the harm caused to animals by improving industry transparency and regulation, and reduce the harm to the public by exploring non-taxpayer funding options and reforms to online gambling.
– It will call on the industry figureheads, trainers and policy makers to improve animal welfare conditions.