Today the ACT Government announced it would discontinue its financial support for the industry.
"The government cannot continue to support an industry that is turning a blind eye to the sort of behaviour and cruelty uncovered by the Special Commission of Inquiry," Mr Barr said in a Facebook post.
"It is untenable for the ACT government to continue allowing, and financially supporting the practice of greyhound racing."
The decision follows an announcement by NSW Premier Mike Baird earlier today that Greyhound racing would end in the state from July 2017.
Greyhound Racing NSW has suspended all racing for the next seven days following the NSW government's shock decision to ban the sport from July next year.
The organisation says the industry is devastated by the state government's decision and it's an extremely sad for the sport and those involved in it.
Greyhound Racing NSW says the decision announced by Premier Mike Baird will rock everyone involved in the sport.
Mr Baird made the announcement on his public Facebook page, saying the decision followed "widespread illegal and unconscionable activity, including the slaughtering of tens of thousands of dogs."
"More than a year ago, we established a Special Commission of Inquiry into the greyhound industry after very disturbing reports emerged of cruelty to animals and other illegal activities," the post said.
"We have now received the report of the Commission, conducted by former High Court Judge Michael McHugh, and the findings are damning."
In a statement released on Thursday, Greyhound Racing NSW said the decision to ban racing from July 1 next year would rock everyone involved with the sport.
"Today is an extremely sad day for the NSW greyhound racing industry and the people involved in it," a GRNSW spokesman said in the statement.
The identified mass killing of greyhounds, the widespread practice of "live baiting" and "systemic deception of the public concerning the numbers of deaths and injuries of dogs" among some of the key issues.
The greyhound racing industry in NSW will close in July, 2017. Source: AAP
Furthermore it stated the industry "is not capable, in the short or medium term, of reforming".
NSW is the first Australian state to shut down greyhound racing.
GRNSW said they had taken decisive action to recover community trust in the wake of revelations of live-baiting and other cruel practices.
"Around our state there are many thousands of responsible participants who treat their greyhounds like family who are involved in the greyhound racing industry either through training, racing or supporting the sport," the spokesman said.
"These people were as dismayed as others by the exposure of completely unacceptable and inhumane practices within greyhound racing.
"That is why they supported the significant reforms made by Greyhound Racing NSW over the last 12 months."
GRNSW said they fully co-operated with the Special Commission of Inquiry who delivered the damning report.
They said they would continue to advocate and support GRNSW members as greyhound racing winds down across the state.
The Special Commission of Inquiry, which handed its findings to the state government last week, found that between 48,000 and 68,000 greyhounds were killed in the last 12 years because they were deemed uncompetitive.
Up to 20 per cent of trainers had engage in live baiting and 180 greyhounds a year suffered catastrophic injuries during races, such as skull fractures and broken backs, the 800-page report said.
The inquiry was launched last year following disturbing reports of live baiting and mass killings in the NSW industry.
Commissioner Michael McHugh wanted state parliament to consider whether the industry had lost its social licence to operate and should be shut down, noting there was a very real risk practices such as live baiting would continue.
"Such is the culture of the industry and some of its leaders that it is no longer, if it ever was, entitled to the trust of the community", the report found.
Mr Baird said the government would announced details of an industry shutdown later this year.
"I feel much empathy for innocent trainers and those who will lose their job or hobby as a result of this," he said on Facebook.
"And I understand the disappointment of people who enjoy having a punt on the dogs.
"But we simply cannot and will not stand by and allow the widespread and systemic mistreatment of animals."
NSW will become the first Australian state to ban greyhound racing.
Queensland boss hits out at NSW greyhound closure
The boss of Queensland's biggest greyhound group has condemned the decision to shut the NSW industry as a stitch-up based on half-truths.
Queensland Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association president Brenton Wilson said he was appalled at the decision, which appeared to have no genuine basis.
"To say I am stunned is not the correct word. I feel like I have just gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson and then been asked to go another 10 with Ali," Mr Wilson said.
"This has all the earmarks of a stitch-up. If this is the standard for an industry to be shut down then a lot of other industries across Australia should be looked at."
Greens spokesman Andrew Bartlett was quick to call for Queensland to follow NSW's lead and ban greyhound racing but the minority Labor government has dismissed such a reaction.
Queensland Racing Minister Grace Grace said the industry would continue in the state and recommendations from last year's MacSporran Commission of Inquiry would continue to be implemented.
No ban on Victoria greyhound racing
Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber called on Premier Daniel Andrews to "shut down greyhound racing" on Thursday after NSW declared it would ban the sport.
In a two-sentence statement, acting racing minister Jill Hennessy said the industry had taken "great strides" in reforming.
"The government has no plans to ban greyhound racing in Victoria," she said.
On Twitter, Racing Minister Martin Pakula said he was backing Greyhound Racing Victoria to continue the reforms.
"None of the Perna, Milne or Bittar reports recommended the shut down of Victorian greyhound racing. It is an industry that employs thousands," Mr Pakula said.
"But since live baiting the industry's been on notice. Every participant should know its future depends on ongoing commitment to reform."
South Australia's Sports Minister Leon Bignell has said the state would not be following NSW's action and Western Australian acting Racing and Gaming Minister Mia Davies said the state would consider the Special Commission's report.
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