GREYHOUND racing is to be shut down in NSW following the livebaiting scandal.

Premier Mike Baird announced the decision on Thursday, saying that the industry will be closed completely from July next year.

It follows a Special Commission of Inquiry, the findings of which were handed to the state government last week.

The ABC uncovered the livebaiting scandal last year, showing disturbing footage of live animals being used to train greyhounds.

Mr Baird said the Special Commissions of Inquiry’s report found that between 48,000 and 68,000 greyhounds bred to race were killed in the past 12 years because they were deemed “uncompetitive”.

The report also found that “up to 20 per cent of trainers engage in live baiting and 180 greyhounds a year sustain catastrophic injuries during races, such as skull fractures and broken backs that resulted in their immediate deaths”.

The ban will come into effect on July 1, 2017.

Commissioner Michael McHugh recommended Parliament consider whether the industry should be shut down.

“As a humane and responsible Government, we are left with no acceptable course of action except to close this industry down,” Mr Baird said.

“This is the inevitable conclusion to be drawn from the appalling revelations in Mr McHugh’s report and his considered view that any other measures are unlikely to protect animals from further cruelty.”

Mr Baird said the government will announce a “detailed industry shutdown plan” during the second half of 2016 “following consultation with stakeholders in industry and animal welfare organisations”.

The plan is likely to include a strategy for rehoming existing racing dogs, an “adjustment package” for those working in the industry and the shut down of Greyhound Racing NSW.

Deputy Premier Troy Grant praised Mr McHugh and said no stone had been left “unturned” in his report “that shone a light on sickening animal mistreatment”.

“NSW is the first Australian state to ban greyhound racing but, as Mr McHugh notes, we are following in the footsteps of so many jurisdictions across the United States and the world which have banned greyhound racing to protect animal welfare,’’ Mr Grant said.

From July 1 next year the government will roll out a transition plan for the NSW greyhound industry, including:

— A welfare plan for existing greyhounds, including opportunities for rehoming;

— An adjustment package for industry participants; and

— A transition arrangement for existing Greyhound Racing NSW assets that will ensure they are used for open public space, alternative sporting facilities or other community use.

The government will prepare and consult on legislation to be presented to Parliament to cease the industry’s operation and to appoint an administrator for Greyhound Racing NSW.

Originally published as NSW to ban greyhound racing