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Two of three greyhounds euthanised on Tassie tracks in 2023 trained by Anthony Bullock

Two of the three greyhounds that have died on Tasmanian tracks this year were trained by the same controversial trainer – with the latest death sparking outrage from welfare advocates. Details >

Tah Tracey (wearing the blue number 4 rug), trained by Tasmanian trainer Anthony Bullock, was euthanised after a racing track incident at Launceston on Monday June 19, 2023.
Tah Tracey (wearing the blue number 4 rug), trained by Tasmanian trainer Anthony Bullock, was euthanised after a racing track incident at Launceston on Monday June 19, 2023.

Two of the three greyhounds that have died on Tasmanian tracks this year were trained by the same controversial trainer – with the latest death sparking outrage from welfare advocates.

The death of Tah Tracey – a three-year-old greyhound trained by Launceston trainer Anthony Bullock – after a race on Monday marked the third greyhound death on Tasmanian tracks this year.

The dog was euthanised by an on-track vet after it collided with another hound when entering the catching pen – fracturing the humerus and scapula in its right foreleg.

Tah Tracey is not the first Bullock trained dog to be euthanised on track this year, with Black Roses euthanised at Launceston on February 28 after fracturing a hind leg.

A dog named Family Tradition, owned by ‘Waynes Winners’ was euthanised on March 28.

Tah Tracey (wearing the Number 4 rug) running their final race in Launceston on Monday June 19, 2023.
Tah Tracey (wearing the Number 4 rug) running their final race in Launceston on Monday June 19, 2023.

Another Bullock dog, Lil Miss Tegan, was euthanised at a vet clinic after being injured at a Launceston track on May 22, according to parliamentary Questions on Notice.

The total number of dogs injured sits at 146, according to the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG).

A CPG spokesman said the death of Tah Tracey also followed the removal of three of Bullock’s dogs from a race meeting on June 5, after they were found to have fleas.

CPG Tasmanian director Joanne Lee said Tah Tracey had been “another victim” of the “cruel and brutal industry”.

“The state government gives millions of taxpayer dollars every year to prop up this abusive industry,” Ms Lee said.

Greyhound trainer Anthony Bullock with greyhound Arnhem Villain.
Greyhound trainer Anthony Bullock with greyhound Arnhem Villain.

“It’s a slap in the face for every Tasmanian currently struggling with the cost of living crisis.”

Director of Racing at the Office of Racing Integrity Justin Helmich said the recent incidents “came down to statistics”.

“Mr Bullock is the largest and most prolific trainer, and by virtue of that he has more entrants [in races], and he approaches the likelihood that [his dogs] would have more injuries, statistically, than other trainers,” Mr Helmich said.

He said the industry was “doing more now than we ever have before” in trying to ensure dogs are rehabilitated after injury.

He added that after the detection of fleas in Mr Bullock’s dogs, the RSPCA had inspected his kennels but did not find “any matters” requiring further investigation.

katie.hall@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/two-of-three-greyhounds-euthanised-on-tassie-tracks-in-2023-trained-by-anthony-bullock/news-story/2f8293f47dfda9b7ee4180551ba8bb83