Greyhound racing banned in NSW from July 2017

Sydney - Greyhound racing will be shut down in the Australian state of New South Wales from July 2017 after a state parliamentary inquiry found overwhelming evidence of animal cruelty.

The inquiry's report, released on Thursday, found between 48 000 and 68 000 greyhounds were killed in the state in the past 12 years because they were deemed uncompetitive.

It also found up to 20 percent of trainers had engaged in "live baiting" - feeding live animals to the dogs - and that on average 180 greyhounds a year suffered critical injuries during races.

The inquiry was launched last year following reports of live baiting and mass killings in the greyhound industry.

State Premier Mike Baird said "in response to widespread illegal and unconscionable activity ... I can today announce an end to greyhound racing."