Greyhound trainers say they will fight until the end to stop the New South Wales Government's ban on their sport.

Key points: Hunter Valley greyhound trainer believes ban will become issue at next state election

Hunter Valley greyhound trainer believes ban will become issue at next state election Another trainer says it is unfair to judge the whole industry on "a few bad apples"

Another trainer says it is unfair to judge the whole industry on "a few bad apples" NSW Government will work toward an orderly shutdown over the coming months

Greyhound racing will be banned in New South Wales from July 1 next year, with Premier Mike Baird saying the "widespread and systemic mistreatment of animals" cannot be tolerated.

It comes after the ABC's Four Corners exposed evidence of live-baiting practices in the industry and a special commission of inquiry found overwhelming evidence of animal cruelty, including mass greyhound killings and live baiting.

Hunter Valley greyhound racing trainer Bob Whitelaw said he was devastated by the news.

"I can assure you that the industry will fight this to the finish. I have got no doubt," he said.

"It'll be a political issue at the next election."

He said he believed the move was an over-reaction with ramifications that could impact other racing sports in the states.

"The ramifications could go right through to the other two codes of racing here in NSW ... if you look at the other two codes there is not much difference when it comes to the allegations of animal cruelty.

"It tells you that this particular Government has lost focus here in New South Wales and the saddest part about this is that they've waited for the federal election to announce it, so it is political more so than anything else."

The CEO of Greyhound Racing Australasia, Scott Parker, has told 774 ABC Melbourne there was "no doubt" the industry nationally had many things to overcome.

"The inquiry in NSW was very comprehensive. We feel very strongly for the predicament now of thousands of people in NSW that relied on this industry," he said.

"[Governments are saying] here's the new prescription... if you don't achieve these performance indicators there is no future."

Four Corners to blame for ban: former trainer

Alan Steele, who lives in Dapto in the Illawarra region of NSW, sold dog guides from the age of 12.

He went on to become a greyhound trainer himself, and had 12 dogs at the height of his career.

However, he and his wife stopped training because of the stigma associated with the sport, which he said arose after Four Corners program.

Mr Steele said he blamed the ABC for the NSW Government's decision to ban the sport, not Mr Baird.

"It's so stupid, it's all brought about by the Four Corners show," Mr Steele said.

"That grabbed half a dozen [trainers] that were doing the wrong thing, there are thousands of trainers that train greyhounds wouldn't even know anything about that sort of thing."

He said it would be a "sad thing" to see the industry shut down, and doubted whether it would actually go ahead.

"I don't think it will really happen, I don't see how the Government can knock something, I don't think our Government can afford it. They won't be able to close it down."

Sorry, this video has expired GRAPHIC FOOTAGE: Greyhounds 'live baited'

Jose Ramos, who went to Dapto to watch the races tonight, said he was worried about the impact the ban would have on the local economy.

"[It will] destroy it," he said.

Peter Carlile, who was also at the track tonight, said he was worried about the impact on everyone involved in the industry.

"The dogs can go interstate," he said.

"What about the people who work at the track, not only here in Dapto but everywhere."

Speaking at a greyhound race meet at Casino, in northern NSW, trainer Trevor Thompson said it was unfair to judge the whole industry on the actions of a few.

"It's like every industry, there's a few bad apples in there," Mr Thompson said.

"Most of the people .... they are our pets and that's what a lot of people don't get ... for 98 per cent of the people, especially in this area, they are pets, they're family."

'Everybody knew live baiting was happening'

Mr Baird said those currently making a living from the industry would be provided with assistance.

"I feel much empathy for innocent trainers and those who will lose their job or hobby as a result of this. And I understand the disappointment of people who enjoy having a punt on the dogs," Mr Baird said.

"But we simply cannot and will not stand-by and allow the widespread and systemic mistreatment of animals."

But Animals Australia's Shantha Hamade showed little sympathy for trainers who were not live baiting themselves.

"Everybody knew that live baiting was happening," Ms Hamade said.

"Let's not forget these people are participating, knowingly participating, and accepting they are part of an industry that thinks it OK to kill tens of thousands of healthy, sentient, gentle dogs each year because they don't race fast enough to make money."

Mr Baird said NSW would be following many jurisdictions across the United States and the world that have banned greyhound racing to protect animal welfare.