Some media outlets reported last week that 19,000 dogs will need new homes when greyhound racing is banned, up from the initial estimate of 6000.

But Kay Mills said she believed greyhound racing supporters were “pulling numbers out of the air” when it came to estimates of dogs that will need to be re-homed.

“We’ve been told it’s about 9000,” she said.

“I think it’s all scare mongering.

“I’m not taking any notice of numbers at the moment, I’m just taking in hounds. I’m not getting into the politics of it, I’m just doing exactly what I’ve been doing all along.”

When asked whether she believed there were enough people working as dog re-homers to cater for the expected increase of homeless greyhounds after the racing ban, Ms Mills said: “I’m not sure, we’re just doing the best we can”.

Maree Callaghan, a long time racing industry participant and former mayor of Cessnock, said she wasn’t surprised to hear that the original estimate of homeless dogs had apparently been underestimated by two thirds.

She believed “all of the figures” in the McHugh Report, on which the Baird Government based its decision to shut down the racing industry, were inaccurate.

“The hearings took evidence mainly from anti greyhound racing people. It shows there was a hidden agenda all along,” she said.

“As a greyhound person, the minute I read The McHugh Report, I knew all the figures were wrong.”

Ms Callaghan, a Labor Party member, has been involved in moves to establish a political party to oppose the racing ban – the Australian Sport and Racing Party – which will contest the 2019 state election.

Premier Mike Baird announced earlier this year that greyhound racing would be banned after an inquiry found evidence of widespread animal cruelty in the industry.