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A greyhound trainer who allegedly killed and buried many of the dogs found in a mass grave in the NSW Hunter region has been banned from the sport for 15 years.
Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) has disqualified Thomas Pullman over a mass grave containing at least 99 greyhound carcasses near the trial track at Keinbah.
An investigation by the racing body found Mr Pullman, who ran the track from 2009 to 2013, was responsible for killing and burying "a substantial number" of the dogs for reasons other than emergency euthanasia such as poor performance.
The GRNSW investigation followed an independent inquiry into the discovery by Clive Steirn SC and convened by the racing body.
"Such actions have a profound and damaging impact on the interest, welfare, image and promotion of greyhound racing in NSW and those involved, of which the overwhelming majority abide by the rules and care for the welfare of their greyhounds," GRNSW said in its findings.
Most of the dogs had major skull trauma inflicted about the time of death and no evidence of any other injuries.
An expert report found some of the injuries could have been caused by either a firearm or a blunt object.
Mr Pullman was charged under GRNSW racing rules with failure to provide veterinary attention, providing false and misleading statements, falsifying a document, and engaging in conduct detrimental to the industry.
GRNSW said the 15-year ban was designed to send a clear message to Mr Pullman and other participants that such actions would not be tolerated.
The racing body also imposed penalties on four associates and family members of Mr Pullman: Helen Pullman, Kayla Spliet, Corey Spliet and Wayne Weiss.
GRNSW said each were aware Mr Pullman buried a substantial number of greyhounds at the track.
They received suspensions of between two and four years.
Penalties not harsh enough: trainer
Fellow Hunter Valley greyhound trainer Bob Whitelaw criticised the 15-year ban as too weak.
"They've been saying that people who've participated in the act of cruelty to greyhounds will get life. I don't think 15 years is life, or four years is life," Mr Whitelaw said.
GRNSW said it required all penalties to be quantifiable, and that the action against Mr Pullman included the cancellation of all licences meaning he would be subject to a fitness test if he ever reapplied.
"In determining the appropriate penalty, the GRNSW Inquiry Panel is required to balance the gravity of the offence, prior penalties for like offences, and each participant's individual circumstances," a spokesman said.
Mr Whitelaw said the decision marked the end of a chapter.
"It's done so much damage to the good people in the industry and it's a great opportunity for us to move on," he said.
But Mr Whitelaw said despite the damage, some good had come from the exposure of misbehaviour.
"There's no doubt about that, but … 99 per cent of the industry have done the right thing," he said.
"It's like in any racing code or any sport, people get up to the wrong thing and the greyhound industry has been the highlight of that."
Topics: racing, sport, animal-welfare, law-crime-and-justice, cessnock-2325