Independent inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW confirmed after animal welfare conditions raised

An independent inquiry with "wide-ranging powers" will look into the NSW greyhound racing industry, just days after fresh concerns were raised about animal welfare.

The inquiry will be led by the Greyhound Welfare Integrity Commission (GWIC) and headed by acting commissioner Lea Drake. 

Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris said the inquiry would examine a number of complaints around Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW), including track safety, animal welfare and its operation.

Ms Drake will have until December 13 to report the findings to Mr Harris.

Details of the inquiry come after Rob Macaulay on Tuesday resigned from his role as GRNSW CEO in the wake of a "handover report" by the state's former Greyhound Racing chief veterinary officer Alex Brittan.

'Cases of extreme distress'

The report by Dr Brittan included claims that some dogs were being raced at a "barbaric" intensity, that re-homed animal figures were inflated and that some dogs were locked in metal cages.

"There are cases of extreme distress, deep claw marks gouged all over the inside of metal cages and recent pools of blood from toe nails that had been ripped off from clawing at the cage door in distress," Dr Brittan wrote in his report.

Mr Harris said that he had given the GRNSW board until close of business on Friday reasons why they should not be stood down by him. 

"This level of animal distress is appalling and can neither be condoned or excused," he said.

"Since becoming minister I have received or become aware of a range of complaints related to the governance or operation of Greyhound Racing New South Wales.

"This inquiry using the full investigative powers of GWIC will conduct a thorough and wide-ranging review of all relevant issues."

Greyhound Racing NSW said in a statement that it welcomed "the opportunity for external examination of our processes and record".

Focus on 'animal welfare'

Mr Harris rejected the idea that Ms Drake would be "boxed in" during her inquiry, given that the industry would continue to exist.  

The minister said the inquiry was about "ensuring that, moving forward, greyhound racing is conducted under the terms of its license, that it employs best practice and that we have an industry that is viable but has, as its main feature, animal welfare".

Mr Harris also said, since the Special Commission of Inquiry Into Greyhound Racing's report in 2016, the industry had followed a number of initiatives to improve the industry.