Media release – Office of Racing Integrity, 25 October 2023
Office of Racing Integrity Inquiry outcome – Mr Anthony Bullock
On 3 August 2023, stewards of the Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) located an animal part (a pademelon tail) attached to a mechanical training apparatus at the property of greyhound trainer, Mr Anthony Bullock.
On 5 August 2023, the Director of Racing, acting as the controlling body, suspended Mr Bullock pending the outcome of an investigation.
On 24 October 2023, a panel of stewards, operating under the Greyhounds Australasia Rules (GAR), conducted an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the location and seizure of the item. Following the inquiry, Mr Bullock was charged under GAR 159(3)(b) ‘possessing an animal part capable of being used as bait, quarry or a lure’.
Mr Bullock pleaded not guilty and after consideration of the evidence before the stewards, he was subsequently found guilty. In accordance with Tasmanian greyhound local rule 159.1, the panel imposed the mandatory penalty – that being disqualification for the term of his natural life.
Mr Bullock was advised of his rights of appeal.
Media release – Animal Liberation Tasmania, 25 October 2023
Anthony Bullock receives lifetime disqualification
Animal Liberation Tasmania (ALT) understands that the Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) today intends to hand Tasmania’s leading greyhound trainer Anthony Bullock a lifetime disqualification from greyhound racing.
This comes after a protracted investigation, following the release of footage by ALT from Bullock’s property in Exeter showing appalling conditions, as well as numerous deceased pademelons, pieces of slaughtered horses rotting in a ute tray, what appeared to be small animal cages/traps, and general disarray. The community outrage following this release of footage was widespread.
Though Bullock was controversially cleared of wrong-doing regarding the conditions the greyhounds were kept in, it was those images that sparked an investigation of Bullock’s property leading to allegations of illegal lure usage, namely animal parts.
This announcement by ORI occur less than a fortnight after Bullock yet again received the Tasracing industry award for the 2022-23 leading greyhound trainer.
“Whilst Animal Liberation Tasmania welcomes this pending news, we are yet again reminded that without the actions of a single private individual with a drone, this outcome would not have eventuated. Bullock apparently was the subject of multiple inspections by industry representatives and RSPCA Tasmania, with the latter apparently visiting over a dozen times in the year prior to the ALT release of footage. They missed all of this for years.” – Kristy Alger, ALT spokesperson.
“Tasracing have only just released their Annual Report for 2022-23; at least the name of Anthony Bullock will forever be written into that report, and all the years he won prior, as a representative of this exploitative industry.” – Kristy Alger, ALT spokesperson.
The question now remains as to the fate of those dogs whom Anthony Bullock owns. Under a permanent disqualification, he will not be permitted to continue ownership of those dogs, or keep others in his “care.”
“ALT demands that those dogs whom Bullock owns be seized, and placed with reputable rescue organisations across Tasmania, at Tasracing’s expense. They received nearly $34 million dollars of direct government funding for the 2022-23 period. Of that a paltry $235 000 was dedicated to greyhound welfare contributions. Tasracing spent more on greyhound breeding bonuses. Bullock was a symptom of an avaricious and exploitative system; the industry should foot the bill for the rehabilitation of these dogs.” – Kristy Alger, ALT spokesperson.
Ms. Alger also warns that this does not end with Bullock.
“The entire industry should consider this a warning; you are on notice. Following Bullock, ALT has shown conditions at the Johnson property in Leith, and the Nichols & Nash property at Birralee, as well as exposed the industry’s failure to safeguard the welfare of retired greyhounds, through the story of the ill-fated Zipping Princess. People know, they see, and they are appalled at what this industry has gotten away with in plain view of the authorities for so long.” – Kristy Alger, ALT spokesperson.
Statement – Kristie Johnston MP, Independent Member for Clark, 25 October 2023
Lifetime Ban for Greyhound Trainer Bullock
It is welcome news that greyhound trainer Anthony Bullock has been banned for life from the greyhound industry.
Earlier this year I drew Racing Minister Felix Ellis’s attention to the apparent terrible treatment of dogs at Anthony Bullock’s property at Westbury, which resulted in the Office of Racing Integrity to finally commit to an investigation of this facility.
I, along with many other animal welfare advocates, have for a long time been calling out Mr Bullock’s appalling animal welfare standards and disregard for the rules of racing.
The sad fact is that it took brave members of the community to release drone footage of the conditions at his property before the authorities took action.
For years a succession of Government ministers and racing management have been saying “nothing to see here” whenever animal welfare concerns within greyhound racing have been aired.
The reputation of Tasracing and the Office of Racing Integrity is now in tatters. Minister Ellis must drop his cheerleading of a failed administration and completely overhaul the practices and the culture of racing administration in Tasmania.
I remind the community that these tragic circumstances these animals find themselves in is because we allow greyhound racing to continue through taxpayer funding.
There are hundreds of dogs that need rescuing and Tasracing must fix the mess they have created and fund the rehabilitation and rehoming of all these dogs. Of course, if previous experience is to go by, Tasracing has not the heart to do this, so I call on those in the community who are able to open their homes and couches to these beautiful dogs to give them the better life they deserve.
Media release – Dean Winter MP, Shadow Minister for Racing, 25 October 2023
Labor stands with Tasmanian Racing on a tough day
Today is yet another tough day for racing. Over the years I have met dozens of greyhound trainers, visited their training facilities and spent time with their families and dogs.
I have seen the love and care they have for their dogs and their industry. The vast majority of the industry love and adore their animals.
The actions of one person do not reflect the entire industry.
The findings against Mr Bullock are very serious and the punishment rightfully shows zero tolerance for animal baiting.
Mr Bullock has also admitted he placed a $700 each way bet on the winner of a horse he owned in a harness race which is alleged to have been fixed.
It is staggering that once again, the evidence of this inquiry was provided by a third party. The Director of Racing claims that it regularly inspects the property, yet it has never been able to find a thing.
The Office continues to limp on with a massive cloud over its handling of the allegations again Ben Yole.
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Leader, 25 October 2023
Greyhound Trainer Lifetime Ban Welcome
The Greens welcome the Office of Racing Integrity’s decision to issue a lifetime ban for greyhound trainer Anthony Bullock, and we call on TasRacing to act immediately and ensure the beautiful dogs on his property are properly cared for.
Numerous concerns have been raised by animal advocates and the Greens over years about this trainer, but despite clear examples of his breaches of racing conditions and animal welfare rules nothing has been done. Instead, he was only recently celebrated as the industry poster boy, and has had plenty of support from the Liberal government along the way.
The decision to impose a lifetime ban is vindication for the many people who have spent years trying to hold this trainer – and others in the industry – to account. The decision to ban Bullock only occurred as a result of footage of appalling conditions and baiting evidence on his property, filmed by brave and dedicated activists. The Greens thank them for their tireless advocacy on behalf of animals.
The racing bodies supposed to protect animals from industry cruelty have consistently failed to do their job. It has only been concerned members of the community that have guaranteed at least some scrutiny for greyhound trainers.
Now this trainer can never be involved in racing or training in the greyhound industry, it’s up to TasRacing to ensure the dogs on his property are properly cared for. Some 70 greyhounds remaining should not just be shifted sideways in the industry to face further neglect or harm. TasRacing should fund and support their transition to reputable rescue organisations, and to new safe homes.
While this ban is good news, it won’t solve the many serious issues in greyhound racing. At the end of the day this an industry based on inherent cruelty, which uses beautiful, innocent dogs to make money. The frequent conditions racing greyhounds endure are mistreatment, serious harm, and early callous deaths. All of this cruelty is subsidised by the taxpayer to the tune of millions of dollars a year.
The only way to end the animal cruelty in greyhound racing is to stop the industry altogether. The Greens will continue to fight for the rights of animals and the end of greyhound racing, and we know a growing number of Tasmanians are with us.
