More Racing Dogs Dead, Anthony Bullock Involved Again

Media release – Animal Liberation Tasmania, 29 May 2024

Bullock Dog Breaks Back, More Dogs Dead

Animal Liberation Tasmania have been made aware that Dewana Speed, a Victorian bred dog trained by Anthony Bullock, was killed at a trial at Mowbray in late March, having horrifically broken their back whilst running.

Dewana Speed was bred by the father and son Dozus Two Syndicate of Brendan and Matthew Dewan, Carrum Downs. He was born 19/11/20, and was only three years old at the time of his death which is believed to have been on March 27.

Bullock controversially returned to the track in late January, following a successful appeal against his lifetime ban for illegal lure use. This appeal was based on spurious claims that were not required to be verified by actual evidence by the Tasmanian Racing Appeals Board or lawyers for the stewards.

Since his return, the following has occurred:

– Bullock has attempted to field three dogs who were scratched late at the track due to parasites. Last season, of the 14 dogs scratched late for parasites, 9 were from the Bullock kennels. In the investigation following ALT’s release of footage from the kennels, 5 dogs were reported to have flea infestations, hook and whip worms were found to be present, and 2 dogs were anemic as a probable result of parasites.

– A Bullock trained dog (Get Noticed) was found to have vomited in their kennel following racing on the 22/2/24, in over 30 degree heat.

– A Bullock owned and trained dog (Joyful Juggler) sustained a fractured tibia after falling and failing to finish the race at Mowbray on 27/1/24, with a stand down period of 90 days applied.

– Another Bullock owned and trained dog (Outright) is listed as deceased, having died somewhere between the 15/4/24 and the 30/4/24; we have since learned that Outright was killed by one of Bullock’s own “companion dogs,” believed to be a German Shepherd used as a guard dog. Please note: we do not blame the dog or their breed in this situation.

– Dewana Speed is killed after breaking his back in a trial on 27/3/24 at Mowbray.

As the death of Dewana Speed occurred in a trial there is no footage available to show the horror that is this dog breaking their back on a track. However, ALT have included with this release a Dropbox with footage from a similar incident that occurred 17/5/24 at Wentworth Park in NSW. Self Sink, a Tasmanian dog bred by Trent Fenton but racing in NSW, fell and sustained a broken back. Footage shows the dog writhing in pain on the track as he desperately tries to stand on paralysed hind legs.

Furthermore, the killing of Outright by one of Bullock’s own “companion” dogs as well as continuing issues with parasites speak to the lack of care and adequate management of such a large kennel.

“One dog anywhere in Australia suffering such a horrific injury in pursuit of human profits and gain would be one dog too many. However, to see two dogs with Tasmanian connections destroyed through the violence of racing, it is utterly abhorrent.” –  Kristy Alger, ALT

“And again, we see that Bullock is continuing in his same pattern of behaviour, with parasites in his kennels and dogs suffering horrific injuries and dying under his charge. It never ends. Yet time and again this industry welcomes him with open arms. Bullock is symptomatic of a far wider disease, that is the racing industry across Australia. And the Tasmanian public is funding it against their collective will, with 79% of Tasmanians opposed to the taxpayer funding of greyhound racing. The only cure for this disease is the defunding of Tasracing and an outright ban on dog racing.” – Kristy Alger, ALT

Media release, Cassy O’Connor MLC, Greens Animal Rights spokesperson, 29 May 2024

Notorious Greyhound Trainer Again in the Spotlight

The greyhound trainer who narrowly escaped a lifetime ban on appeal is again the focus of animal welfare advocates following the recent deaths of two greyhounds in his ‘care’.

Animal Liberal Tasmania alleges one of Anthony Bullock’s dogs died during a training session at Mowbray in late March, while another was allegedly killed by Bullock’s pet dog on his property in April.

Tasmanians who have been revolted by the cruelty and waste at the heart of greyhound racing deserve to know whether the Office of Racing Integrity is investigating these deaths.

Given his history as a notorious industry player who is apparently too big to fail, there is also the question of whether ORI is conducting regular inspections and monitoring of Bulllock’s operation since he successfully appealed his lifetime ban in January.

What is ORI doing to keep an eye on Anthony Bullock and the many dogs in his custody?

Anthony Bullock is a symptom of a sick and failing industry which has cruelty at its heart.

Tens of millions of taxpayer dollars prop up this industry, which continues to be cheered on by the Liberal and Labor parties despite recent statewide polling that confirms nearly three quarters of Tasmanians want this subsidised cruelty to end.