Leading greyhound trainer suspended over ‘mistreatment’ accusations
Leading trainer Anthony Bullock has been suspended following the emergence of unsettling footage. Photo: Getty
Tasmania’s racing watchdog has suspended a prominent greyhound trainer after allegations of animal mistreatment.
The Office of Racing Integrity is investigating Anthony Bullock after advocacy organisation Animal Liberation Tasmania this week published anonymously sourced footage purporting to show his facility at Exeter, north of Launceston, in July.
In the footage, some greyhounds appeared to be kept in freezing conditions in sparse tin sheds without coats or blankets, the organisation said.
Some appeared to have no bedding, while others had shredded paper to sleep on.
What appeared to be animal cages or traps were seen on the property.
A horse looked to be in poor condition, while a ute on the property was loaded with horse bones, skins and a head, alongside a dead pademelon, the organisation said.
The footage showed another two dead pademelons at the rear of what appeared to be training runs.
It was announced on Saturday that Mr Bullock’s licence had been suspended.
The suspension would continue either until their probe concluded, or until otherwise advised.
Report being prepared
“Once finalised, a report in relation to the inquiry will be publicly released,” the Office of Racing Integrity said in a statement.
The authority is investigating whether Mr Bullock breached any of the rules set out by Greyhounds Australasia.
PETA campaigns advisor Mimi Bekhechi said the footage showed greyhounds living in “appalling conditions”.
“Greyhound racing is banned in most other countries,” she said in a statement on Friday.
“Until Australia goes the same way, dogs will continue to suffer, as will our nation’s reputation.”
Tasracing chief executive Andrew Jenkins on Thursday said his organisation would wait to see how the probe panned out before it considered further action.
“If there are instances of mistreatment that are confirmed within our industry, there is simply no room for that,” Mr Jenkins said.
He said Tasracing was open to a greyhound code of practice and the body was consulting with its chief veterinary and animal welfare officer about the footage.
-AAP