Opponents of the greyhound racing industry will gather around the country in an attempt to bring an end to the sport.

Key points: National rally aims to influence NSW inquiry outcome

National rally aims to influence NSW inquiry outcome Wastage, live-baiting, injuries concerns of group

Wastage, live-baiting, injuries concerns of group Greyhound nature makes them ideal pets

Shut it Down: A National Day of Action is being run by the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds on February 7 in all Australian states except the Northern Territory.

Animal Justice Party National Greyhound Racing campaign coordinator Eleonora Gullone founded the coalition when Four Corners aired an expose on live-baiting.

The Shut It Down rally has been timed to precede the outcome of a New South Wales special commission greyhound racing inquiry expected in March.

The NSW inquiry revealed several shocking practises in the industry including unqualified "muscle men" treating dogs' injuries, live baiting, hidden animal wastage and other unlawful activity.

Ms Gullone says the coalition and its supporters wanted to see an end to the "horrifying" industry.

"The community is way more educated about greyhound racing than ever before and the strong sentiment is that it is a shocking industry that needs to be shut down," she told the ABC.

"We're hoping we can influence the outcome [of the NSW inquiry]."

She said thousands of healthy dogs were being killed each year and it was "something the community won't swallow".

Additionally she said there were injuries to animals on the track every week that went untreated.

"The dogs are just euthanased," she said.

The RSPCA estimated wastage was between 16,000 to 25,000 dogs every year.

Since the live-baiting scandal, Queensland and Victoria have also held inquiries with mixed results, according Ms Gullone.

"The Queensland inquiry recommendations were pretty strong ... the commission recommended they need to be responsible for the dogs from birth to death," she said.

"The Government said they will adopt most of [the recommendations] ... if they do, they are by far leading the way [for change]."

Ms Gullone was more critical of Victoria's inquiry.

"Victoria is the second largest industry in Australia and their inquiry was weak," she said.

"It was internal, they wouldn't protect people who would come forward with information, so they didn't."

Welfare a 'leading priority' says racing boss

Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) chair Bernie Carolan said he was mindful of some people's concerns around the sport.

"As an organisation GRV is currently overhauling its business and is working extremely hard to reform a sport that employs more than 3,000 people and works with hundreds of volunteers," he told the ABC.

"Animal welfare is now a leading priority throughout all GRV's functions and operations, with GRV continuing to strengthen its investigate and compliance capabilities."

In response to Ms Gullone's claims the inquiry was "weak", he said: "Both the Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna, and Victorian chief veterinary officer Dr Charles Milne, have conducted comprehensive investigations into live baiting.

"The recommendations in their reports are now being implemented by GRV and are resulting in deep and fundamental changes in both the regulator and the sport."



Racing Queensland said it supported the rights of groups to voice their opinions, but rejected claims the industry should be shut down.

"From the moment the vile act of live baiting was uncovered, Racing Queensland commenced a program to eradicate the practice and address issues around animal welfare in greyhound racing," a spokesman said.

"Racing Queensland has been working closely with the industry to enforce change on the topic of animal welfare and has witnessed a genuine desire among participants to rid the sport of animal cruelty."

It listed several of its initiatives including increased kennel inspections, changes to surveillance of properties using drones and breed ruling changes that improve the welfare of animals.

'Gentle and affectionate animals'

Greyhound Rescue's Peter Flann, who founded the not-for-profit with his wife Jane, said the animals' nature was often misunderstood.

"The public, especially here in New South Wales, has the misconception that they are dangerous dogs because they see them with a muzzle on, but nothing could be further from the truth, they are very gentle and affectionate," Mr Flann said.

He said as "couch potatoes" they required minimal exercise, did not shed much hair and did not have a "doggy smell".

"A lot of them make good pets with families with children ... as pets they have a lot of pluses."

Mr Flann said the dogs Greyhound Rescue and other not-for-profits re-homed were just the tip of the iceberg. He said wastage was the main reason he would like to see the industry shut down.

"Thousands of greyhounds are euthanased every year because they are not wanted and not earning money," he said.

"The lucky ones are euthanased humanely, and there are unlucky ones.

"There is a huge loss of life and these greyhounds are beautiful animals."

Editor's note February 5, 2016: This story has been amended to include comments from the greyhound racing industry. Details of upcoming protests have been edited from the story.