The Big Grey Film

The Big Grey Film will address reports of systemic animal welfare and social issues surrounding the greyhound racing industry and their impact on dogs and the public.

Australians loves dogs, boasting an average of 1.3 dogs per household. We also have the world’s largest greyhound racing industry, worth over 40 billions dollars. What many Aussies don’t know, however, is the costs this industry poses to both people and dogs.

The Australian greyhound racing industry reports multiple on-track deaths each week, as well as hundreds of injuries. Allegations and scandals involving other animal welfare issues have also resulted in recent government enquiries, putting the sport at critical risk of being banned.

Australians also have the highest online gambling spend per capita in the world, causing significant harm to punters and the broader public. This film also explores issues of taxpayer funding, self-regulation and corruption allegations.

The Big Grey Film will conduct an unprecedented journalistic investigation into the complex issues permeating the Australian and global greyhound racing industries, and solutions for positive reform.

A dog is a man’s best friend, but what if our love for dogs was being exploited for profit or, worse, putting them at risk of death? The Australian greyhound racing industry is reportedly responsible for the death of thousands of dogs every year, and the neglect and wastage of many more.

Greyhound racing has been outlawed in most countries for the dangers posed to animals and the public, but it is still a thriving, multi billion dollar industry, benefitting and beloved by many.

This film will explore the complexities involved in these animal welfare and social issues, and promote positive impacts to the industry including cultural and legislative reforms for increased greyhound welfare and adoption, and decreased animal welfare and neglect and harm caused by problem gambling and taxpayer funding.

I, like most Australians, share a cultural and emotional kinship with dogs. They are more than just pets, they are best mates and family members. Eighty-seven percent of Australians believe the government should protect animal welfare through legislation. Despite this, most Australians are unaware that one of our own industries results in the death or injury of hundreds of dogs every week.

My aim is to spread awareness of the animal welfare issues that afflict dogs within the racing industry, in order to improve their legislative protection and reduce their risk of injury and death, as well as revolutionise the public’s perceptions of greyhounds from disposable commodities, back into best friends.

I also hope that, through the gentle, soulful eyes of these greyhounds, the audience is able to reflect on broader social issues including equality, liberty and morality itself.

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.