The organisation even claims the Muswellbrook track was set for closure prior to the ban.

“The Premier took the hard decision to outlaw an industry so steeped in cruelty that in a civilised society there was no other option,” Humane Society International director Verna Simpson said.

“And, his opponents have attempted to turn the ban into a political fiasco.

“It’s not about popularity, it’s not about making money from selling the land, it’s not a war against the ‘battlers’ of society.

“The independent inquiry uncovered extensive evidence of horrific animal cruelty and that is something that is undeniable and evidence based, unlike the rhetoric we are hearing from the industry.”

Ms Simpson said the cruelty aspect was rampant. 

“Up to 40 per cent of pups are killed as they ‘don’t have the instinct’, up to 70 per cent of greyhounds whelped are deliberately killed for being too slow, 20 per cent of trainers engage in ‘live’ baiting, illegal drug use to make the dogs run faster, the discovery of numerous mass graves, and industry cover-ups,” she said.

“This dirty business doesn’t just involve unacceptable levels of animal cruelty, it also involves organised crime, drug cartels and physical threats that were violently levelled at anyone who dared to speak out.

“When the enquiry was held many people had stories to tell but they were so intimidated they would not give evidence.”

Ms Simpson claimed, even before the ban was announced, greyhound racing was hailed a dying industry, which was losing popularity across the state.

“Industry regulator Greyhound Racing NSW planned to close up to 19 of the 34 racing tracks, including Muswellbrook,” she said.

“The industry experienced a 22 per cent decline in licenced participants from 2008 to 2015, and attendance from 2010 to 2015 fell by 27.5 per cent at TAB tracks, and by 22.7 per cent at non-TAB tracks.

“So, in terms of job losses, many were already on the cards and with no compensation package in sight.

“Instead trainers are reportedly looking at receiving a hefty $1500 per dog – and a notice period of 12 months.

“This seems like a great result, especially given most are hobbyists according to their submissions.

“Compare this to other industries and it is more than generous.

“Recently, 2000 meatworkers were stood down after abattoirs were closed in Australia’s north as a result of the jobs being taken by foreign workers recruited from expanding live animal export markets.

“These workers would have received no compensation and no 12-month warning.

“Just prior to the ban announcement, the NSW Government said a tax break worth more than $220.8m would be awarded across all three racing codes by the year 2020 – and 10 per cent of it would be allocated to the greyhound racing industry.

“This would mean that the state government would have handed $22m of taxpayers’ money to an industry fraught with animal cruelty by 2020.”

Ms Simpson said initial polling showed more than 85 per cent of NSW residents opposed greyhound racing – and supported the ban.

“Despite strong voices getting their opinions heard in the media in recent weeks, most Australians would be appalled if the ban was overturned,” she said.

“It would be nothing short of an animal welfare disaster.”