Leading Trainer Andy Lord Answers Industry Critics

One of NSW's leading trainers has spoken out regarding the shape of the greyhound racing industry after one of the most turbulent and testing times within the sport. As participants prepare to face the Parliamentary Inquiry sought by the NSW Greyhound Action Group, the reputation of the industry was dragged through the mud last week with a controversial story aired on the ABC's 7.30 Report.

The program alleged widespread doping, cruelty and collusion within the sport and whipped social media sites into a storm in its wake. The general public, outraged by unsubstantiated claims of high euthanasia rates and mass over breeding; and fuelled by activists; launched an unprecedented attack on the industry via social media on Facebook and Twitter. Those attacks have seen greyhound industry participants join the debate to defend their sport where Greyhound Racing New South Wales () and Greyhounds Australiasia (GA) failed to do so.

Greyhound industry trainers, owners, breeders and enthusiasts are justifiably irate over unverified claims made on the 7:30 report by the which alleged 17,000 greyhounds are killed each year in the industry; and from another that “greyhounds are hit on the head with hammers” to euthanaise them. The claims, which border on the irresponsible if not fictional; have demonised in the public eye. Despite requests, GRNSW and Greyhounds Australiasia (GA) failed take the opportunity to defend the industry on the tv program and rebuke the wild accusations, leaving most greyhound trainers to take the task on themselves.

Andy Lord is one such trainer. Lord, who is based at Gunning, is one of the most successful trainers in the state. He was the NSW trainer of the year two years in a row in 2011 and 2012 and has produced countless city dogs and proven group performers throughout his 35 year involvement with the industry. Lord was left disgusted after viewing the ABC's story and has stepped forward to defend the reputation of the greyhound racing industry and address the allegations.

“I thought it (7.30 report) was a disgrace”, Lord stated.

“I'm an owner, I'm a trainer, I'm a breeder. I love greyhounds. I'm not doing this for money. This business about hitting dogs on the head with a hammer and shooting dogs……..shooting dogs went out years ago. If I caught anyone hitting a dog on the head with a hammer; I'd hit them on the head with a hammer and I think most greyhound people would.”

“The two people that they did interview- which were and Chris Arletos- they may have said some good things too, but they didn't put them on there. That's the trouble.These people want to sensationalise these things and make it look really bad. I think there should be a law that they should be able to prove what they say before they go doing sh*t like that.”

Amongst the baseless claims presented as fact on the 7:30 report were claims from RSPCA spokesperson Jade Norris that 40% of greyhounds bred never go on to race. Janet Flann, who runs a greyhound “rescue” website; claims greyhounds are subject to widespread cruelty,  “They bludgeon them to death. That's quite common. But shooting is quite common. If they get to the vets to be euthanaised properly they're lucky.” An an unattributed claim by the 7:30 report itself was that “17,000 greyhounds are killed in Australia each year”.

These unsubstantiated figures, paired with the accusations of widespread animal cruelty, has further enraged participants after the reporter and those who made the claims failed to provide evidence to support their allegations. Australian Racing Greyhound approached the RSPCA to substantiate their claims in the days after the program aired but the RSPCA failed to respond to repeated requests by email and phone.

While he cannot speak for the industry as a whole, Lord has revealed to Australian Racing Greyhound the statistics of his kennel over the past few years.

“It doesn't matter what industry you're in. It doesn't matter whether you're taking your kids to little athletics and they break their leg out on the field. It's not something you want to see happen to your kid, is it? Look at track and field, look at , do they realise how many horses go through the knackery each year? They have got a hide to talk about how many greyhounds get put down.”

“As far as their numbers, I don't know what the numbers are and how many dogs get put down. But I can tell you, and I have a record of this, in the last four years Cawbourne Racing has bred approximately 300 dogs.”

“Now Ted Humphries puts our dogs down and out of them 300 dogs we have probably euthanaised 20 dogs, for various reasons. We had pups that got snake bite. We have got no control over that. We have had pups that smashed legs in the paddock in freak accidents and we have had dogs that have just got too old and beyond us helping them and them helping themselves. Our records can be checked and that's where we're at.”

“None of us trainers and none of us breeders want to put greyhounds down, but the sad fact is that somewhere through their life we have to euthanaise them for various reasons. One, they may break their leg on a track and it can't be fixed. The dog's in a lot of pain and we have to make a decision on the spot. Now we've had that dog for two years, three years….it has earned us money, it's our pride and joy and we don't want to hurt the dog. You see people crying their eyes out they get that upset. It's like them losing a kid.”

The 7:30 report claimed that greyhound adoption programs only accounted for a small percentage of greyhounds who are not currently racing, but the obvious truth behind the sensational claims went unsaid. Many trainers, such as Lord, keep their retired greyhounds as pets or rehome them privately.

“We rehome dogs. The only condition that we rehome dogs on is that we want to know where they are going and we want to know what is going to happen with them”, Lord said.

“I know is very passionate about the sport and is passionate about his dogs, he must love greyhounds to be doing what he is doing because he has made plenty of money he could leave the industry now and be quite wealthy.”

While acknowledging that there is a minute percentage of ‘bad' trainers within the industry, Lord also disputes the cruelty claims presented by the 7.30 report, indicating that he, like most participants, treats his dogs with love and care.

“It doesn't matter whether it's greyhounds, poodles, racing cars or even a pie shop; there is always going to be one bad egg in the basket. That bad egg eventually will get caught out and he will be dealt with.”

“99.9% of greyhound people do not take kindly to people being cruel to animals.”

“It is a little bit like Ted Humphries, and I know Ted quite well. He has made accusations, trainers have made accusations and the 7.30 report has made accusations. Unless they have got proof, well really they should go and stick it where it fits. You can't go around accusing people saying greyhound trainers are doing this, greyhound trainers are doing that without any proof. The RSPCA and the board raided four properties yesterday and you know what they found? I'll tell you what they found, they did find something….they found a bunch of really well fed dogs.”

Australian Racing Greyhound made repeated requests to the RSPCA to verify the raids, on what basis they had been conducted and the outcomes. Specifically Australian Racing Greyhound was extremely interested in the timing of the raids, which were allegedly held the morning prior to the day the 7:30 report aired. Those requests for information from the RSPCA have all gone unanswered.

Aside from animal welfare concerns, the 7:30 report sought to give credence to allegations that the sport was saturated with drug use and race fixing. The allegations were supported by greyhound trainer Chris Artelos who made the startling that “80 per cent of greyhound trainers are looking for something to dope their dogs'. Arletos himself has had a positive swab to Heptaminol in 2006 which resulted in a three month disqualification.

GRNSW have confirmed that in the past 12 months 5,562 swabs were performed, an increase of 47% on the previous year. With over 10,000 races conducted annually in New South Wales, only 35 positive swabs were confirmed.

“GRNSW, in fairness to them, 3-4 years ago they were so far behind the 8 ball as far as Victoria goes. Since then they have implemented that many great things in greyhound racing for us, for them (and) for everybody and that's what they are doing now.”

“I don't mind speaking out and I'll tell it how it is. There is a few more improvements that need to be put in place in this game and once they're done, what more can we honestly do?”

“I think their concerns are ridiculous.”

“They need to categorise these swabs. 70% of these swabs are what's called therapeutic drugs. A therapeutic drug is a drug that helps. It's not a drug that hinders or harms.”

However, one problem that Lord does see with the industry relates to the swabbing issues and the sensitivity of modern drug testing techniques.

“My biggest beef with the industry at the moment- I think the stewards, the CEO and the trainers; I think everybody is doing the right thing…but the biggest problem is (that) I think the swabbing is out of hand.”

“The only reason I say this- if they want to swab every race, then swab every race- but they still need to have their machines set at a reasonable level so that environmental contamination doesn't come into play.”

“A lot of these positive swabs we are getting at the moment, away from testosterone, are environmental contamination. Is it going to get to the stage in years to come where our empty yards (at the track) are going to be concrete?”

“Footballers go to Wentworth Park and for arguments sake they train on the field….not to say that footballers snort coke or snort speed or whatever; but what if someone is snorting coke or snorting speed and urinated on that grass and the dogs licked it? Is it possible for that dog to then get a positive swab?”

“The answer is yes because the machines are set that low that environmental contamination comes into play. This is why in now they have levels on everything. It's not to say that everyone can go out and coke their dog, they have already tried and tested to say that the amount of nanograms they have found is not enough to make a dog run fast.  But it is a safe level to say that if you're over that level then you're in big big trouble, but if you're under that level they don't even report it, it's environmental contamination.”

“That's where my biggest beef is. They are trying to do the right thing with swabbing and keeping everybody honest and that's fine; that's fair enough. But when people are getting punished for things that they didn't do, that's wrong. As far as the game goes prizemoney is great, racing is great, I don't have any problems.”

“I don't think NSW needs an independent . I think NSW needs a board of greyhound trainers and vets…and we can take our concerns to the stewards or to Brent Hogan and we can sit down with them and actually try and nut a few things out to make things reasonable.”

“I don't know where it is going to end up but I honestly believe that the greyhound industry is going good.”

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John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

Hi Katherine and other journalists,
I trust you are sending your articles into the [email protected] as  submissions or attachment to submissions. Great article I remember you at Cyprus Lakes doing the interview with Dennis and Tony (GAG) after the Cessnock meeting. Classy performer at a classy place.
Regards
John Tracey Information project (GAG).

Carolyn Smith
Carolyn Smith
10 years ago

What rubbish. The statistics don’t lie. If owners and trainers are doing such as fabulous job why are we seeing all the rescue groups coping with the fall out of this awful industry and where are all the puppies that are being breed and never race??? It is all about money at the end of the day and the greyhounds ‘ WASTAGE ‘ as the industry refer to them only matter when they are winning- God help the rest of them. Of course official greyhound organisations have not come out to rebut the 7.30 report because they know the accusations… Read more »

Luke Anderson
Luke Anderson
10 years ago

Carolyn have you ever been associated with the greyhounds or owned any you should go spend time with some trainers this will change your point of view

Julie Ann Oakes
Julie Ann Oakes
10 years ago

I honestly don’t know enough about it to comment, but like most sporting activities there are always those that give it a bad name, so lets give credit to those that do the right thing.

Luke Anderson
Luke Anderson
10 years ago

Great answer Julie

Lee Bartholomew
Lee Bartholomew
10 years ago

No statistics could never be wrong how gullible and I agree with u Luke

Carolyn Smith
Carolyn Smith
10 years ago

Yes I have both owned greyhounds and rescued them, so I see the ugly side of the industry. I don’t deny some trainers may care about their dogs but they still are willing to risk them dying from injury each time they race and the fact that racing continues means greyhounds suffer at the hands of those that don’t give a damn. I would ask the same question as before where are all the greys that are bred and never race going? They are a statistic that can’t be accounted for. Perhaps those breeding them would like to provide the… Read more »

Josephine Knight
Josephine Knight
10 years ago

Sorry Carolyn, there is not many trainers who do what you say I have been associated with the greyhound industry in the country area of Australia for 40 years and there was a terrific cleanup in the industry quite a few years ago, which was very good, and they are very strict these days and lots of checks on dogs at the races, you cannot control everybody, but the majority of trainers these are are pretty good.

Mark Drady
Mark Drady
10 years ago

We better stop dog shows Carolyn Smith there’s a risk when they run them through hoops and over jumps and god forbid through tubes they might get hurt you better put a stop to that as well

Megan Seymour
Megan Seymour
10 years ago

Get this shit post off my feed, HATE greyhound racing

Kerrie Murphy
Kerrie Murphy
10 years ago

How about the mass wastage… thousands disappear every year. No good can come of that… very sad for all those precious hounds who arent fast enough to win for human entertainment. .. rip babies

David Lindsay
David Lindsay
10 years ago

Greyhound racing will soon be banned. The industry is collapsing under public pressure to end this cruel sport.

David Lindsay
David Lindsay
10 years ago

Greyhound racing has been banned in many states in the US and greyhound tracks are closing across the UK. Australia will catch up soon :-)

Blake Moroney
Blake Moroney
10 years ago

Wake up to yourself you clowns .

Justin Attard
Justin Attard
10 years ago

And how many animals do the rspca put down every year ? why dont you,s post that number ? They are the biggest killers of them all

Yvonne Day
Yvonne Day
10 years ago

Not relevant Justin. Greyhound racing and breeding is supposed to be controlled. Backyard breeders contribute to RSPCA kill rates.

Yvonne Day
Yvonne Day
10 years ago

No money in dog shows Mark. It is not perform or DIE.

Peter Cohen
Peter Cohen
10 years ago

David u have n0o idea you tosser

Jocelyn Gandy
Jocelyn Gandy
10 years ago

Ben Hardcastle

Luke Anderson
Luke Anderson
10 years ago

Haha David greyhounds will never go to much turnover for the government champ and the horses are in the same catagory as the greyhounds and the horses will never get banned just do us a favour and uppercut yourself

Denise McArdle
Denise McArdle
10 years ago

What about all the slow race horses and trotters who end up in the greyhounds dinner dish?

Joe McFadyen
Joe McFadyen
10 years ago

Some of you anti greyhound racing people are so ill informed you’d believe anything and no amount of facts that are presented will change your mind. I don’t know why anyone even bothers with you. Keep trying you simples because you won’t see the end of greyhound racing in our lifetime.

Greyhound Racing
Greyhound Racing
10 years ago

Just a reminder folks- everyone is entitled to their opinion but please don’t use offensive language or you will be blocked

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

Hi Katherine and other journalists,

I trust you are sending your articles into the [email protected] as  submissions or attachment to submissions. Great article I remember you at Cyprus Lakes doing the interview with Dennis and Tony (GAG) after the Cessnock meeting. Classy performer at a classy place.

Regards

John Tracey Information project (GAG).

Carolyn Smith
Carolyn Smith
10 years ago

What rubbish. The statistics don’t lie. If owners and trainers are doing such as fabulous job why are we seeing all the rescue groups coping with the fall out of this awful industry and where are all the puppies that are being breed and never race??? It is all about money at the end of the day and the greyhounds ‘ WASTAGE ‘ as the industry refer to them only matter when they are winning- God help the rest of them. Of course official greyhound organisations have not come out to rebut the 7.30 report because they know the accusations… Read more »

Luke Anderson
Luke Anderson
10 years ago

Carolyn have you ever been associated with the greyhounds or owned any you should go spend time with some trainers this will change your point of view

Julie Ann Oakes
Julie Ann Oakes
10 years ago

I honestly don’t know enough about it to comment, but like most sporting activities there are always those that give it a bad name, so lets give credit to those that do the right thing.

Luke Anderson
Luke Anderson
10 years ago

Great answer Julie

Lee Bartholomew
Lee Bartholomew
10 years ago

No statistics could never be wrong how gullible and I agree with u Luke

Carolyn Smith
Carolyn Smith
10 years ago

Yes I have both owned greyhounds and rescued them, so I see the ugly side of the industry. I don’t deny some trainers may care about their dogs but they still are willing to risk them dying from injury each time they race and the fact that racing continues means greyhounds suffer at the hands of those that don’t give a damn. I would ask the same question as before where are all the greys that are bred and never race going? They are a statistic that can’t be accounted for. Perhaps those breeding them would like to provide the… Read more »

Josephine Knight
Josephine Knight
10 years ago

Sorry Carolyn, there is not many trainers who do what you say I have been associated with the greyhound industry in the country area of Australia for 40 years and there was a terrific cleanup in the industry quite a few years ago, which was very good, and they are very strict these days and lots of checks on dogs at the races, you cannot control everybody, but the majority of trainers these are are pretty good.

Mark Drady
Mark Drady
10 years ago

We better stop dog shows Carolyn Smith there’s a risk when they run them through hoops and over jumps and god forbid through tubes they might get hurt you better put a stop to that as well

Megan Seymour
Megan Seymour
10 years ago

Get this shit post off my feed, HATE greyhound racing

Kerrie Murphy
Kerrie Murphy
10 years ago

How about the mass wastage… thousands disappear every year. No good can come of that… very sad for all those precious hounds who arent fast enough to win for human entertainment. .. rip babies

David Lindsay
David Lindsay
10 years ago

Greyhound racing will soon be banned. The industry is collapsing under public pressure to end this cruel sport.

David Lindsay
David Lindsay
10 years ago

Greyhound racing has been banned in many states in the US and greyhound tracks are closing across the UK. Australia will catch up soon :-)

Blake Moroney
Blake Moroney
10 years ago

Wake up to yourself you clowns .

Justin Attard
Justin Attard
10 years ago

And how many animals do the rspca put down every year ? why dont you,s post that number ? They are the biggest killers of them all

Yvonne Day
Yvonne Day
10 years ago

Not relevant Justin. Greyhound racing and breeding is supposed to be controlled. Backyard breeders contribute to RSPCA kill rates.

Yvonne Day
Yvonne Day
10 years ago

No money in dog shows Mark. It is not perform or DIE.

Peter Cohen
Peter Cohen
10 years ago

David u have n0o idea you tosser

Jocelyn Gandy
Jocelyn Gandy
10 years ago

Ben Hardcastle

Luke Anderson
Luke Anderson
10 years ago

Haha David greyhounds will never go to much turnover for the government champ and the horses are in the same catagory as the greyhounds and the horses will never get banned just do us a favour and uppercut yourself

Denise McArdle
Denise McArdle
10 years ago

What about all the slow race horses and trotters who end up in the greyhounds dinner dish?

Joe McFadyen
Joe McFadyen
10 years ago

Some of you anti greyhound racing people are so ill informed you’d believe anything and no amount of facts that are presented will change your mind. I don’t know why anyone even bothers with you. Keep trying you simples because you won’t see the end of greyhound racing in our lifetime.

Greyhound Racing
Greyhound Racing
10 years ago

Just a reminder folks- everyone is entitled to their opinion but please don’t use offensive language or you will be blocked