How many more greyhound deaths at the track each year does it have to take?

With up to 17,000 healthy greyhounds dying annually at the hands of the industry, 200 dogs reported injured during official races each week and the “lucky” survivors living in appalling conditions, the biggest tragedy is that this industry hasn’t been shut down sooner. 

To see how desperately sad things have become, one only has to look at Bossey, one of five greyhounds found by RSPCA inspectors in a raid on a farm in western Sydney.

They had been living and sleeping on a stinking, muddy floor in a dark shed. Bossey was severely underweight, lame and limping on three legs - the pain in the greyhound’s eyes was palpable. And the punishment?

A $10,000 slap on the wrist, whilst also being able to keep the dog.

Clearly the worst punishment being meted out here is to poor Bossey. How society has failed these beautiful animals.

I see that National Greyhound Racing United are bleating and blustering that for every bad person in the sport, there’s 2000 good ones. That is, when they’re having a break from smearing the name of New South Wales Premier Mike Baird. And it appears that the Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association has hastily formed an industry alliance to campaign against the ban. Perhaps the many (but undisclosed) dollars they are spending on their grandstanding could be better invested in rehoming some of the many greyhounds needing a forever couch. Or simply paying some vet bills.

The GBOTA’s campaign theme is ‘Racing to a Respected Future’. In my experience, the couch is the only place a greyhound wants to race to. Sure, their campaign may go on for a long time, but it will be nowhere near as long as I will be fighting to get every last loving, lazy greyhound a soft bed and a forever home. 

And I would say to anyone considering adoption, you’ll never go back once you realise the power of sharing your lounge with a hound.

Veterans and the Australian community honour the service and sacrifice of nearly 60,000 Australians who served in the Vietnam War, including the 521 who lost their lives and more than 3000 who were wounded.

Vietnam Veterans Day is commemorated annually on August 18, and this year it marked the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, one of the fiercest battles fought by Australian soldiers in Vietnam.

The battle involved 105 Australians and three New Zealanders from D Company 6RAR. A total of 17 Australians were killed in action and 25 were wounded, one of whom later died of his wounds.

D Company were greatly assisted by an ammunition resupply by RAAF helicopters, close fire support from New Zealand's 161 Field Battery, together with additional artillery support from the Australian task force base at Nui Dat, and the arrival of reinforcements in APCs as night fell.

On the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, we should all reflect on the sacrifice and experiences of the Australians who served their country in Vietnam. We honour and commemorate every single Australian who served in Vietnam. As is inscribed on the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial, today is a day, "for all those that served, suffered and died".