Sean that's 'how' they contacted you, my question was 'why' they contacted you ?

As in 'why' did they see you as someone representing greyhound racing ?
Also do you have a greyhound trainers licence ?

Yes Ryan I have my owner trainers licience and I am a registered breeder and before you ask yes I was pretraining my own dogs with the intention to have my first started in the coming weeks however I have 50% custody of my children now so they take priority!

For everyone's benefit, the figures quoted by GA are inaccurate because they take whelping stats and have come to their conclusions through that data. I blame them & state authorities for not keeping better stats on all greyhounds so they could legitimately refute the claims. Maybe someone should tell McHugh how many people work at GA ( a handful) & ask how they have the capacity to monitor & report on greyhounds whereabouts throughout the country on an annual basis.

Why authorities don't revisit whelping numbers at 12 months of age to check for deaths through accidents, illness etc is something that is in need of being addressed.

The authorities have let us down as participants but I'm hoping the new rules to track greys will finally put the stupid figures to bed in the future. I'd also like to see authorities collate the stats of how many NSW dogs are racing interstate to put to rest the claim we are overbreeding also

I didn't think you were a trainer and that's what the edit under your name(which they mispelt btw - Sean O'Connell),said. I thought they were misrepresenting you.

It did take guts but I have to agree with Billy here and esp so as it was really obvious they had an agenda by what was publicised earlier, dangerous exercise imo.

I thought it was pretty gutless at the end even when Helliar looked like he wanted to stick the boots in.

'The project' have lost me.

" He made mentioned of your "attire" you wore on camera "

So NOTHING of substance then...???...Fecking Grub Hadley...

Sean...ask him where's all the dogs HE was involved with are...???

I believe you need to retract this statement.

Sean doesn't need to ask Ray your bullsh1t question.

He's on our side you fool.....but he still needs to call a "Spade is a Spade" as it's NEWS & that's he's job. No favoritism there.

Sorry NO didn't hear...was mainly posting about him talking of someones attire...which has what to do with him...

Apologize for the question to be asked...only...

The edit also cut off where I extended into the response to waleed with Peter Hellers question. I thought all in all they had a job to do and all except for waleed were quite decent!

It was a good insight into the media and how they operate that's for sure, would I front again, In a heart beat!

Ray's producer has my number and he either calls or he doesn't

That means this industry is responsible for the unnecessary deaths of anywhere
between 13,000 and 17,000 healthy greyhounds a year (we don't know how
many are being rehomed by charity groups or live out their lives on owner
properties)

Reporters etc NEVER INCLUDE THE PART IN BOLD.

i did send this email:

Hello Ray,

I am the guy who appeared on the project to stand against the media's quoting of a leaked Greyhounds Australasia Document that stated "That means this industry is responsible for the unnecessary deaths of anywhere, between 13,000 and 17,000 healthy greyhounds a year (we don't know how many are being rehomed by charity groups or live out their lives on owner properties).
I called your producer after you mentioned the appearance and figured you may wish to be enlightened by my appearance and how it came to eventuate.
I received contact from an assistant producer of the project stating that they were looking for a participant from the greyhound industry to appear on the show and offer their response to the claims made in the media. I asked why they had not called a official for comment or a high profile figure to represent the industry and the assistant producer, responded "we have been calling people all day and people are either unable to attend due to being involved in the current hearing or unwilling to appear.
I was assured that they would be proceeding with the segment regardless of participation. I initially asked if I could have an hour to decide and I was informed that she would need a decision in few minutes and she would call back. I decided to appear and when she called back in confirmed this and I was emailed studio details etc. Had 1 hour and 50 minutes to arrive at the studio (85 minutes drive time) and as I was grocery shopping at the time I had 20 minutes to drop groceries off to my children (I am separated) and drive to the studio with 5 minutes to spare if I hit heavy traffic (this allowed no time to shave or change clothes - hence my appearance)
you have vast media experience so you will have an awareness of the operations within and 12 minutes of material was cut down to approximately 2 minutes of material (my responses) and the middle of the interview when Waleed was questioning me about the numbers was cut in a manner where I appeared to have no answer to the question.
I will reiterate what was held stated and withheld
"That the media is being irresponsible and deceitful and specifically channel nine who have stated that 17500 greyhounds are killed each year and that 96 out of every greyhound puppies born are killed each year because they are to slow, in a manner that is actual fact and currently occurring. This is not stated as fact in the leaked document yet is a hypothetical figure that does not account for where those greyhounds are, how many are unaccounted for and how many have been rehomed both privately or through charities, perished through injury, illness, virus (parvo etc) or due to the allegation of unsuitable racing ability(confirmed in the exert above which is cut from the actual document from GA).

while I will never support poor practices or ethics in any industry and stand with the many voices that require better welfare standards, ethical operations and lawful adherence on every level. I cannot support the deceit and smear campaigns run by the media that are factually wrong and misleading.
If people break the law, they then suffer the consequences of choosing to do so. The live baiting scandal in the industry is such that those involved are facing prosecution and will be wiped out of the industry for life and so they should be, yet in the same breath there are a large proportion of greyhound participants that are honest, ethical and caring people, whom do the right thing, are from all sorts of back grounds and social standing (working class, wealthy, uneducated or academics).
I am surprised that you didnt take my call or take the time to enrich yourself with a firsthand account by the person who actually appeared on the show and chose to personally ignore my attempt to contact you. You have commented on something you have little knowledge on and robbed your listeners of a greater truth in favour of you stating your presupposition on the matter.

Should you wish to discuss the matter I have provided my mobile number?

Kind regards Sean O'Donnell

lets see if he calls next week!

I sent a copy x2 of the Open Letter to him on 4BC here in Brisbane, and again No Response.

He only likes to talk when everything is in his favour, fair weather ray!

Agreed Stevo.

In the 3 minutes or so that I was on Justin Smith's "Drive-time" show on 2UE yesterday, that was the very first point I raised.

I intend taking up Justin's offer to give further information (balance); hopefully I can get time this afternoon for such a purpose.

This means that GA are placing ALL the onus of this problem onto Breeders & Trainers and absorbing no cost to themselves or any other parties that benefit from the sport.

Can't see the sport lasting much longer, esp when everyone bails out. What a shame a $Billion industry brought to it's knees.

Some media outlet report INSERTED the word 'YOUNG' between 17000 and healthy also just for the drama. Not to mention those that left out the 13,000