Top vet’s report mauls Greyhound Racing NSW, claims of dodgy rehoming stats
An explosive report penned by a former chief vet of Greyhound Racing NSW has made allegations about the misrepresentation of greyhound rehoming numbers and the failure to report a dog’s death.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An explosive report penned by a former chief vet of Greyhound Racing NSW has made allegations about the misrepresentation of greyhound rehoming numbers and the failure to report a dog’s death.
The 54-page submission was sent by vet Alex Brittan to the GRNSW board, senior executives at the body, government staffers and the board of government agency Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission at 2am on Friday, June 15.
In it, Dr Brittan, a former Wahroonga vet who held the most senior veterinary role at GRNSW following his appointment by GRNSW CEO Rob Macaulay in March 2023, levels serious detailed allegations at the racing body.
The most serious of Brittan’s allegations include the misrepresentation of greyhound rehoming numbers, failure to report a greyhound death and the questionable procurement of restricted drugs for greyhound immunisations, The Daily Telegraph has learned.
The letter tables procedures and practices the vet alleges to have witnessed during his nine-month tenure ending December 2023.
Racing Minister David Harris confirmed he had handed to the Department of Enterprise Investment and Trade, as well as to enforcement bodies, a “handover report” from a vet.
According to industry sources, the report is Dr Brittan’s incendiary letter.
“On June 18 I became aware of a ‘handover report to GRNSW’ authored by a former chief veterinary officer of GRNSW. I requested a copy of the report,” Mr Harris said.
“The report alleges significant issues about greyhound racing in NSW which will require careful scrutiny.
“It’s important that the industry meets the highest standards of animal welfare and that concerns raised about important matters are appropriately addressed.”
Mr Harris added that on June 19 he supported a call for papers from Animal Justice Party and Legislative Council member Emma Hurst.
The minister’s office has 21 days to provide the documents.
Ms Hurst on Tuesday said she would now call for an upper house inquiry into the greyhound racing industry.
According to GRNSW sources, Dr Brittan, who was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement when he left GRNSW, has catalogued a raft of issues relating to veterinary practices and animal welfare as routinely practiced by the body itself, and not by participants and dog owners responsible for the animal “wastage” controversy that led to the temporary closure of the industry in 2016 by then-premier of NSW Mike Baird.
Dr Brittan could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
In response to questions about the report on Tuesday, Mr Macaulay said: “On 14 June 2024, Dr Brittan provided various materials to us, and others. We are in the process of considering the materials in detail. We are aware of the Standing Order 52 call for papers. Greyhound Racing NSW takes all such matters seriously, and will of course comply with all obligations arising.”
Mr Harris is said to have met the recently installed chairman of the GRNSW board Adam Casselden last week and demanded to know why Dr Brittan’s “handover report” had not been provided directly to the minister’s office upon receipt.
The Daily Telegraph understands the minister instead learned about the report from GWIC, the industry’s regulatory body.
While GRNSW is an independent commercial entity, its board answers to the racing minister.
Under class 23 of GRNSW’s operating licence, any adverse findings about the body reported to the GRNSW board must be reported immediately to the minister.
GRNSW chair Mr Casselden, a barrister and silk, could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Mr Macaulay’s tenure as CEO of the body has been marred with repeated claims the GRNSW has failed to report serious governance issues to the minister’s office.
The body has paid out lucrative fees to external workplace lawyers to investigate complaints about the way the CEO runs the operation.
These include those brought by former company secretary Ian Londish in 2023 who had written to the board questioning whether it knew Mr Macaulay had allegedly jointly held three roles at the industry body.
Mr Londish also made mention of alleged serious governance issues and a high turnover of staff under Mr Macaulay.
Mr Macaulay later denied Mr Londish’s claims his roles as GRNSW company secretary, external legal counsel and acting CEO clashed.
He maintained his role as managing partner of legal firm PTW Law, which he co-founded, and which retains GRNSW’s business to this day, was not a conflict and said another lawyer from the firm had replaced him when he was appointed CEO in 2022.
In relation to Mr Londish’s other complaints, Mr Macaulay said the change he had been tasked with leading “requires high-performance people at the leadership table”.
“We have animal welfare, racing safety and greyhound participants as the foremost consideration in everything we do. In the best interests of every proud NSW greyhound breeder, owner, trainer and fan, I will continue to make the decisions that need to be made,” he said.
“Transformational change such as I have been tasked to lead requires a team of high-performance people at the leadership table.
“I have furthered the vital work of my predecessor Tony Mestrov over the last five years of transforming this great sport to ensure that it has a bright future. We have animal welfare, racing safety and greyhound participants as the foremost consideration in everything we do.
“In the best interests of every proud NSW greyhound breeder, owner, trainer and fan, I will continue to make the decisions that need to be made.”
Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email tips@dailytelegraph.com.au
More Coverage
Originally published as Top vet’s report mauls Greyhound Racing NSW, claims of dodgy rehoming stats
Join the conversation
Fraudster boasted about moving debts at failed start-up
John Issa was heard talking about moving debts away from Inotap, the company which previously had Anthony Minichiello and Rod McGeoch as directors.
Read more
Investigator appointed to oversee greyhound racing claims
Premier Chris Minns has pledged to keep the NSW greyhound industry running as an investigation into a damning report by the sport’s former vet gets underway.
Read more