Media / Life ban issued for unlawfully killing greyhounds
The NSW Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) has today issued a life ban to a former industry participant who had a third party unlawfully kill four greyhounds.
The lifetime ban was issued following a rigorous investigation by the Commission which found Mr Collin Wasson guilty of 16 offences, including arranging for a third party to kill four greyhounds on his behalf – actions which rank as the most serious of greyhound welfare breaches.
In imposing the lifetime disqualification the Commission has sent the clearest of messages that it has a zero- tolerance position when it comes to such abhorrent behaviour.
“For the record, there is absolutely no place for this sort of appalling behaviour within the greyhound racing industry,” GWIC’s Chief Commissioner Mr Alby Taylor said.
“In New South Wales, we lead the world in animal welfare standards for our greyhounds. Being a greyhound racing participant is a privilege, not a right, and this participant will no longer enjoy such a privilege.
This lifetime disqualification demonstrates the Commission’s ongoing strong stance that those who are found in serious breach of our animal welfare standards will never again play a part in the sport and may potentially face criminal charges. Zero tolerance means exactly that,” Chief Commissioner Taylor said.
If you engage in abhorrent behaviour, you will play no part in this industry ever again – that is the strong stance the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) has taken in imposing a lifetime disqualification on greyhound owner-trainer Mr Colin Wasson.
The lifetime disqualification prohibits Mr Wasson 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.
The Commission’s implementation of eTrac and its eTracking regime in 2022, the first of its kind in the world, means that people who unlawfully kill a greyhound can no longer hide.
“While those who oppose the greyhound racing industry will say this case is an example of an industry incapable of reform, this is not the case. This case highlights just how dedicated and serious the Commission is about reform,” he said.
Whilst the Commission has handed down its regulatory decision of a lifetime disqualification, given the seriousness of the matter, the Commission is currently exploring other avenues available to it in relation to these offences.
Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation the Commission will not be making further comment at this stage.
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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:
Ms Anya Whitelaw (GWIC)
Media & Communications
T: +61 448 193 270
E: media@gwic.nsw.gov.au