Top greyhound trainer probed over alleged lure find

A report found greyhound trainer Anthony Bullock's property complied with the animal welfare act. (PR HANDOUT IMAGE PHOTO)

A top trainer probed over accusations of greyhound mistreatment is being investigated further after the alleged discovery of an "animal part" capable of being used as a lure.

Video footage posted online in August by an animal rights group sparked an initial investigation into Anthony Bullock, one of Tasmania's leading trainers.

It showed greyhounds in kennels at his Exeter property in what the group claimed were substandard conditions.

An Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) report released on Friday found conditions at the property were broadly compliant with racing rules and the animal welfare act.

But a separate stewards' investigation was launched relating to the "alleged possession of an animal part reasonably likely to be capable of being used as a lure".

The report says it amounts to a potential breach of Australasian greyhound rules, which carries a lifetime ban if proven.

The report notes animal carcasses, including bones, a horse head and wallaby, were seen in the footage on the tray of a ute.

The stewards' investigation, which prompted the suspension of Mr Bullock's trainer licence, will be completed at a later date and made public.

The report found all greyhounds were in acceptable body condition and there was no evidence or sores due to sleeping on unprotected surfaces.

But shredded paper bedding in some hutches in outdoor pens was damp and some contained less than an ideal quantity of bedding material.

Two outdoor pens were in substandard condition because they had hazards such as sharp tin edges.

There was mud and pooling of water in some outdoor pens.

Five dogs appeared to be slightly dehydrated and two faecal samples collected confirmed the presence of hookworms and whipworms at the premises.

Thirteen dogs had gingivitis and several had build-up of dental calculus.

"It is the opinion of the ORI regulatory veterinarian that the standard of animal welfare of the dogs and horses were generally acceptable," the report said. 

The report noted steps could be taken to improve internal parasite control and to remove dental calculus from the teeth of one dog.

The report said the RSPCA, which was involved in the investigation, found Mr Bulldock didn't breach animal welfare standards.

"However, (the) RSPCA ... considers this to be as a result of deficiencies in the legislation rather than a reflection of appropriate and adequate care and conditions," the report said.

The state government earlier this week announced a review of dog welfare laws to remove "exemptions" relating to large breeding ventures.

The report made several recommendations, including that Tasracing develop an enforceable greyhound racing welfare code of practice.

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