The Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) has reinforced its zero-tolerance approach to serious breaches of animal welfare standards by imposing a lifetime disqualification on greyhound trainer Mr Trevor Rice.

On 7 February 2023 following a lengthy and thorough investigation the matter was finalised, with the Commission finding Mr Rice guilty of 18 offences, including breaches of Greyhound Racing Rules 86(o) and (x) which relate to misconducting himself and providing false information to the Commission.

The lifetime disqualification prohibits Mr Rice from holding a registration within the greyhound racing industry, attending race meetings or engaging with other greyhound racing industry participants for the purpose of greyhound racing.

GWIC’s Chief Commissioner Mr Alby Taylor said:

“This outcome sends the strongest possible message about how seriously the Commission takes animal welfare and the integrity of the sport.

“The Commission is strongly committed to, and has a proven record of, ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare and integrity are maintained. Indeed, this focus underpins everything the Commission does.

“While matters like this are uncommon in the greyhound racing industry, the Commission takes an unyielding position when it comes to dealing with any participant who fails to meet their animal welfare obligations and whose actions undermine the integrity of the sport and harm the reputation of the industry.

“This penalty determination reflects both the severity of the rule breaches and how seriously we take our role as guardians of the sport.”

Since GWIC was established, New South Wales has implemented the highest standards of greyhound welfare and integrity in Australia.

Mr Taylor said the penalty imposed on Mr Rice not only highlights GWIC’s professional oversight and robust regularity framework, but acts a stark reminder for all within the greyhound racing industry of their responsibility to maintaining the highest standards.

“There is an industry-wide zero tolerance to any incidents of this abhorrent nature,” he said.

“NSW has some of the strongest welfare standards in the industry, and we will utilise all our available powers to ensure appropriate action is taken against anyone who thinks they can get away with this type of conduct.”

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Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission

The Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission is the independent regulator for the greyhound industry in NSW. The Commission was established to promote and protect the welfare of greyhounds, safeguard the integrity of greyhound racing and maintain public confidence in the greyhound racing industry.

For further information, contact:

For further information, contact:
Ms Anya Whitelaw (GWIC)
Media & Communications
T: +61 448 193 270
E: media@gwic.nsw.gov.au