00:00 Until late last year, Kirsty Bear worked for Greyhound Racing SA's Greyhound Adoption Program.
00:08 She says she took the job because she loves the dogs.
00:11 When I saw the role come up in Adelaide, I thought yes, I want to progress more, do more
00:16 for them and so that's why I came down to Adelaide to do that.
00:20 Ms Bear says the adoption program does good work, but she's speaking out now because of
00:25 the state of dogs that sometimes came into it.
00:29 Photos, many of which she took herself, have been tabled in Parliament, showing images
00:34 of emaciated dogs with rotten teeth, eye disease and sores.
00:38 A lot of terrible teeth, really, really underweight dogs, dogs that had injuries that weren't being treated.
00:46 Ms Bear says the adoption program helps deliver the racing industry its social licence.
00:52 There's a lot that the industry is covering over by saying look at how wonderful it is
00:56 that we rehome all these dogs and there's a lot that's not being said in that.
01:01 In a statement to the ABC, Greyhound Racing SA says its welfare officers made more than
01:06 600 kennel inspections last year.
01:09 It says it encourages anyone with allegations of mistreatment to come forward so it can
01:14 be investigated.
01:16 The state government launched an inquiry into the greyhound racing industry in July following
01:21 reports of abuse on a trainer's property and a recent live baiting case.
01:27 Greens MP Tammy Franks says she used Parliament to table the pictures showing evidence of
01:32 greyhound mistreatment because whistleblowers are concerned they won't be afforded protections
01:37 by the inquiry.
01:38 It's not only the animal advocates that have come to me asking for whistleblower protection,
01:43 it is also trainers.
01:45 The state government says greyhound racing still has a role to play, but it needs to
01:49 be done in a way that meets community standards.
01:52 The independent inquiry is expected to report by the end of November.
01:56 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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