Media release – Office of Racing Integrity, 15 September 2023
Report on Animal Welfare Conditions – Greyhound Trainer, Anthony Bullock
In July 2023, the Office of Racing Integrity became aware of video footage that was published on social media depicting conditions at the property of greyhound trainer Anthony Bullock.
An extensive review has been conducted by the Office of Racing Integrity in conjunction with RSPCA Tasmania. The review in respect of the animal welfare conditions at the property is complete and the two organisations have released a report in relation to the review.
Importantly, the review found that the conditions at the property were broadly compliant with the provisions under the Rules of Racing and the Animal Welfare Act 1993.
The report makes several recommendations in relation to welfare in the greyhound racing industry. The recommendations are:
- That Tasracing develop an enforceable Canine Welfare Code of Practice for the greyhound code that is linked to the Rules of Racing as offence provisions for non-compliance.
- That a robust life-cycle traceability program for the Tasmanian greyhound industry be implemented and incorporated into enforceable rules.
- That a review be conducted of the Animal Welfare (Dogs) Regulations 2016 with reference to greyhound racing.
- That consideration be given in respect of options to align regulatory activity to ensure a consistent and seamless regulatory environment as it applies to greyhound racing
- That lines of responsibility for all regulators and authorities involved in greyhound racing are clarified.
There are other matters in relation to the video footage that remain under active investigation by stipendiary stewards. The outcome of that investigation will be publicly reported once complete.
The report is available here: Investigation Report Anthony BULLOCK.pdf.
Executive summary
The welfare of racing animals is a matter that is regularly reflected in public discourse. It is widely acknowledged that the ‘social licence’ for the continuation of racing, in particular greyhound racing, is linked to continuous, but fast-moving improvements in respect of welfare.
As has been noted in previous reports, allegations of deficient welfare outcomes involving racing participants are a critical risk to the industry and therefore must be investigated and dealt with appropriately and with transparency.
It is incumbent upon the regulators to ensure that, whilst matters are fully investigated, the respondent in respect of allegations receives procedural fairness and that outcomes and findings are accurately reported.
On 3 August 2023, video footage taken by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was posted on social media by Animal Liberation Tasmania. The video provided a depiction of conditions at the Bullock kennel complex at Exeter. The footage was allegedly taken in July 2023 and included underpinning subtitles related to the images shown.
The video focussed on:
• An aerial shot of the property with frost on the ground, likely in the early morning.
• Greyhounds in exercise yards without thermal coats in cold conditions.
• Footage of greyhounds in kennels apparently with no bedding or other insulation from the ground.
• Footage of an assembled cage on top of a kennel and a number of stored cages.
These matters are the subject of this report and will be addressed in terms of an extensive inspection conducted of the Bullock property by stipendiary stewards and the Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) Regulatory Veterinary Surgeon.
Based on the information gathered through the investigation, it was determined by RSPCA Tasmania and the Office of Racing Integrity that the conditions at the property were compliant with the provisions of the Rules of Racing, the Animal Welfare Act 1993 and the Animal Welfare (Dogs) Regulations 2016.
However, upon the recommendation of the ORI Regulatory Veterinarian, Mr Bullock has been directed to undertake action in relation to the presence of internal parasites in several animals.
In addition, the Director of Racing has utilised powers articulated in the Racing Regulation Act 2004 section 6(2)(c) in making a series of recommendations to Tasracing in respect of the Rules of Racing. Those recommendations are included within this report in more detail, but broadly identify the need for additional prescriptions in respect of greyhound welfare.
It was noted that there are guidelines published by Tasracing, but without linkage to the Rules of Racing, the provisions are not mandatory. The recommendation is made on the same basis as the one made to Tasracing in March 2023 to put into effect an Equine Code of Practice.
Incidents such as this cause damage to the reputation of and risk a decreased acceptance of greyhound racing within the community. It has therefore been important to fully understand Page 4 of 12
Investigation report – Inquiry into greyhound trainer Anthony Bullock
the actual circumstances and conditions in place, rather than relying on the edited version placed into distribution.
Other matters
The footage also showed:
• animal carcasses, including bones, a horse’s head and a wallaby on the tray of a utility vehicle
• animal carcasses on the ground at the rear of the property.
These matters will be addressed is a separate report by stipendiary stewards. This will be made publicly available.
An assessment of the facts relating to these matters will be considered by the Stewards to determine if any of the circumstances warrant the issue of a charge under the Rules of Racing.
Media release – Animal Liberation Tasmania, 16 September 2023
Anthony Bullock ‘cleared’ but racing industry far from exonerated
The Office of Racing Integrity has released the first part of its report into the investigation of greyhound trainer Anthony Bullock. It provides a damning insight into the abject failings of the industry to adequately oversee the welfare of the dogs they exploit.
The report lists multiple issues at the Bullock property, including damp and insufficient bedding, parasites including hook worms, whip worms, and fleas, dehydrated and anemic dogs, unsuitable housing due to dangerous sharp tin edges, and dental problems amongst several dogs.
“All of this has occurred under the watch of the Office of Racing Integrity, Tasracing, the state government, even the RSPCA. Lax regulations, animal welfare manuals that are guidelines rather than rules and quote the Bible as justification for the use of animals in the industry, poor dog welfare legislation, all combined to allow Bullock to subject those dogs to this treatment for years unchecked.” – Kristy Alger, spokesperson, Animal Liberation Tasmania.
“It is an abject embarrassment to the industry and government, that rather than regulatory bodies and the industry addressing these issues years ago, it took a private individual risking their liberty and safety to show the world exactly what this industry and Bullock have been hiding for years.” – Kristy Alger, Animal Liberation Tasmania.
“Bullock was Tasmania’s leading greyhound trainer. He’s also the industry’s own worst kept secret. Everyone knew what he was doing; not one person in the industry did a thing about it.” – Kristy Alger, Animal Liberation Tasmania.
Whilst Bullock has been ostensibly cleared of animal welfare charges relating to the keeping of the dogs he trains, he still faces allegations of using animal parts as a lure. This carries a life ban as a penalty. We await the findings of the second part of this inquiry; hopefully the Office of Racing Integrity and the powers that be choose to move with more haste than has been demonstrated thus far.
