Greyhound Racing NSW has confirmed a two-day hearing into Hunter greyhound grave sites will be held in May.
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The hearing is expected to take place in Cessnock and will deal with allegations that dog owners paid to have dogs shot and disposed of in the region.
It will also look at the burial sites found on the Keinbah Trial Track property.
Former NSW police deputy commissioner David Madden, who completed one of the three investigations at the Keinbah Track, is expected to attend the hearing.
The reopening of the investigations in the Hunter Valley was prompted by the Special Commission of Inquiry.
It follows a report into the region’s greyhound racing industry being handed to police.
Greens NSW MP John Kaye has publicly called for more action from GRNSW and welcomed further investigations.
But he believed all racing should be shutdown until police had finished their investigations.
“It is extraordinary that races are allowed to continue while the police are investigating mass graves of dogs and horrific live baiting offences,” Dr Kaye said.
“There is little doubt that more animal welfare atrocities in the greyhound racing industry are yet to emerge.
“If Greyhound Racing NSW had a genuine commitment to integrity and animal welfare, it would shut up shop and let the Special Commission of Inquiry conduct a thorough probe of its activities.”
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However GRNSW said the call to suspend greyhound racing before the inquiry had taken its course was premature.
“The NSW government established the Special Commission of Inquiry into Greyhound Racing, in recognition of the seriousness of the issues confronting the industry and the need for comprehensive and considered advice on options for the future of the sport in NSW,” a GRNSW spokesman said.
“Calls to suspend greyhound racing while the inquiry is undertaken are premature and ignore the expansive terms of reference of the inquiry and the fundamental reform already under way.
“GRNSW is committed to reforming the industry and securing a sustainable future for the sport in NSW. This includes acknowledging its industry supervision activities failed to properly monitor and respond to serious wrongdoing such as the live baiting issue.
“The inquiry is required to deliver its findings to the government on the future of the sport in NSW, including recommendations around potential future integrity, welfare and governance arrangements by September 30 2015.”
GRNSW has encouraged anyone who has evidence of animal cruelty in greyhound racing to phone the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Hotline on 1800 680 174.
