Greyhound Racing NSW’s investigation will run parallel to the government’s Special Commission of Inquiry into Greyhound Racing, which has royal commission powers. 

However, the former integrity auditor for GRNSW said the internal investigation would be little more than an empty gesture.

The two-day hearing was ­scheduled to begin in Cessnock tomorrow to hear allegations that owners had paid to have their unwanted dogs shot and disposed of in the region. 

GRNSW reopened investigations in the Hunter Valley ­following the establishment of the special commission of inquiry.

But GRNSW’s former integrity auditor David Landa said it was unlikely the industry could be trusted to police itself and said he would instead give evidence to the special commission. 

“I imagine it will be a waste of time with no [compulsion to exercise] authority,” Mr Landa said.

“However, under the current leadership there may be a chance of a genuine outcome.”

The findings of previous ­investigations into Keinbah Trial Track will also be used to assist the inquiry. 

There have been three investigations undertaken at the Keinbah Trial Track site since early 2014 – one by RSPCA NSW, one by GRNSW (both in 2014) and one in early 2015 by former NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Madden, who is expected to attend the hearing.

GRNSW interim CEO Paul Newson acknowledged the importance of the Special Commission in a press release in March.

“The inquiry will review the management and governance of Greyhound Racing NSW including the circumstances that contributed to serious failures in industry supervision,” he said.

A GRNSW spokesman said ­yesterday the body faced limitations on what action it could take under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 under which it operates. 

“[GRNSW] believes it is in the public interest to fully investigate and achieve some certainty around what has taken place,” he said.