NSW greyhounds ban: Breeder ‘Ernie’s’ evidence in report ‘not up to scratch’

A CANADIAN academic at the centre of a report into the greyhound industry has further undermined crucial­ evidence that led Premier Mike Baird to ban racing from July next year.

The NSW government has banned greyhound racing in NSW following a damning report. Picture: Nathan Edwards

A CANADIAN academic at the centre of a report into the greyhound industry has further undermined crucial­ evidence that led Premier Mike Baird to ban racing from July next year.

The report by former High Court judge ­Michael McHugh quotes a US dog breeder’s graphic account of drowning puppies that were not up to scratch.

Apart from not living in NSW, the mysterious breeder — called “Ernie” — made his confession more than 10 years ago in a report compiled by the University of Toronto.

One of the report’s researchers, Michael Atkinson, yesterday told The Saturday Telegraph he had not been contacted by anyone in NSW to verify details about “Ernie”. It remains unclear who “Ernie” is.

“We gathered stories from people involved in racing but nowhere close to all people and certainly not in global contexts,” Professor Atkinson said, adding that it was “curious­” Mr McHugh used the US breeder’s remarks.

Premier Mike Baird (pictured Deputy Premier Troy Grant, left, and RSPCA chief executive Steven Coleman) has defended the ban. Picture: Stephen Cooper

The fact the breeder was American and made his remarks 10 years ago was not included in Mr McHugh’s report, which used the claims in a passage about the number of NSW dogs that failed to make it to the racetrack.

Canadian Professor Michael Atkinson has weighed in on the greyhound debate.

The Canadian report’s findings relate to 2000 and 2001 — a factor that casts further­ doubt on the breeder’s relevance to the NSW report, published following a Special Commission of Inquiry into the live baiting scandal.

It comes amid more criticism­ of the McHugh report, including its claim that greyhounds can be expected to live up to 15 years if they don’t compete.

Greyhound Breeders chief executive Brenton Scott said the real figure was closer to nine years.

“You may get the odd dog getting to 15 but it would not be normal or an accurate life expectancy,” Mr Scott said.

Elements of Mr McHugh’s report were taken from websites and blogs.

Sections on the history of greyhounds cite website greenhounds.com.au and a Wordpress blog.

Both websites are referenced­ as sources.

When asked why websites and blogs were used to help write the report, Mr McHugh said his role in the greyhound shutdown had “ended”.

“The report is in the public domain and is open to praise or criticism by anyone who cares to read it,” he said.

A spokesman for Mr Baird yesterday defended the report, describing its findings as “horrific­, damning and conclusive, in that they demonstrate systemic mistreatment of animals in the greyhound racing industry.”