The ACT greyhound industry has expressed shock at Chief Minister Andrew Barr's announcement that they will be stripped of $1 million in annual taxpayer funding.
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Mr Barr responded on Monday morning to reports that NSW Premier Mike Baird may reverse his greyhound ban, saying such a backflip would be "disappointing" and concerning.
"There's been many second chances for the greyhound industry, so it is disappointing, if these reports are to be believed, that there's going to be a change in NSW," Mr Barr said.
"Lets wait and see exactly what they announce."
But he said, regardless of what happened in NSW, the ACT would not be renewing an agreement with the greyhound industry that gives it $1 million annually.
"Where we do have control ... is in relation to funding and we're not going to provide the funding for prize money, or for the operation of that club beyond the current agreement, which expires on 30 June, 2017," he said.
The agreement was struck to support the industry following the privatisation of government betting agency ACTTAB.
The government came under pressure to scrap the funding arrangement earlier this year, following reports by ABC's Four Corners of widespread cruelty and live baiting interstate.
The Canberra Greyhound Racing Club reacted angrily to Mr Barr's comments on Monday, saying it had not been told the agreement was to cease.
Spokesman Kel Watt said the club understood only that the deal was under review.
He said the current legal framework meant funding to greyhounds could not end without it also ending for thoroughbred and harness racing.
That was rejected by Labor, who said they had absolutely no plans to take funding away from other areas of the local racing industry.
All eyes will be on what Mr Baird announces later this week. Mr Barr said NSW's decision would have significant ramifications for the ACT's position.
"Almost all of the trainers are NSW-based, almost all the dogs that race in Canberra are NSW-based, so what happens in NSW does obviously impact here in the territory," Mr Barr said.
RSPCA chief executive Tammy Ven Dange has urged the government to listen to Canberra residents, who were overwhelmingly in support of the ban.
She said the only thing that had changed in NSW was the level of political pressure on the Baird government.
Ms Ven Dange said concerns about animal welfare and cruelty remained.
"I think the most important thing for our politicians is to listen to the residents and supporters who actually live here," Ms Ven Dange said.
"They have said they're overwhelmingly in support of the ban," she said.
Mr Watt said the industry would be able to survive without the government funding.
News Corp reported on Monday that a backdown by Mr Baird was imminent.
The ban has already been legislated in NSW, and would come into effect from July next year.
Mr Baird had implemented the ban after a special commission of inquiry found up to 68,000 greyhounds were killed in the past 12 years as they were too slow or unable to race.
