Media Release
Date 21 April 2022
Tasracing notes and supports the recommendations of the Office of Racing Integrity’s investigation into the injury to racing greyhound Tah Bernard.
Tasracing CEO Paul Eriksson said the recommendations relevant to Tasracing would be acted on immediately.
“While the report speaks for itself, it is critical to highlight at the outset that, based on the information gathered, the RSPCA and Biosecurity Tasmania found there was not sufficient evidence to refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions,” he said.
“It is just as critical to recognise that while a stewards’ inquiry found greyhound trainer Anthony Bullock had breached the Rules of Racing by administering medication not prescribed for the greyhound, this could be considered a ‘perverse outcome’ as if he had not done so, he could have been charged under the Animal Welfare Act 1993.”
Mr Eriksson said the incident and the allegations were the subject of significant, inaccurate and damaging commentary, particularly via social media.
“The report says that a significant amount of untested information was placed into the public domain,” he said.
“It also says the investigation found that numerous claims and assertions made were inaccurate because they were based on misinformation.
“For example, it was suggested that Mr Bullock left the Veterinary Clinic unwilling to pay an after-hours fee.
“While he would be aware of the fees as a regular user of the clinic, he would be equally aware of Tasracing’s Greyhound Recovery Rebate Scheme that covers the treatment cost of injuries to a greyhound sustained during a race, qualifying trial or official club trial at which a club official is present.
“Ignoring these facts – or not being aware of them – calls into question the motivation of the people making the complaints in the first place.
“It was obviously very disappointing for Mr Bullock, greyhound industry participants and the broader Tasmanian racing industry that there was so much inaccurate commentary and strong criticism taken as truth.
“We are therefore very pleased that the release of the report by ORI in its entirety ensures that the facts have been clearly communicated to the broader community.”
Released by:
Nicolas Turner
Tel: 0418 538 865