The SPCA is investigating alleged live-baiting practices by former top Central Districts greyhound trainer Brendon Cole.
Cole’s wife, Lisa, was the leading trainer of greyhounds last season with 713 wins and she leads this year’s premiership standings.
An investigation into Brendon Cole’s practices was sparked when the SPCA was given photos which appeared to show him attaching a live animal to a lure on a training track.
Live baiting is an illegal practice in which dogs are allowed to maul or kill live animals in an effort to excite them and make them run faster on the track.
SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen told NZME her organisation received the images that allege Cole was live baiting in July, and has since spoken to him.
It was rare for the SPCA to hear allegations of live baiting, Midgen said.
"Most trainers are wanting to abide by the law and do the right thing, so most trainers would not even contemplate live baiting."
The Racing Integrity Unit will not take action against Cole until the SPCA investigation is complete. That is because the it does not want to interfere with the investigation which is being conducted to see if Cole breached the Animal Welfare act.
"Currently the SPCA acting under the Animal Welfare Act is the agency leading this investigation,’’ general manager Mike Godber said.
"The SPCA-led investigation necessarily has to take precedence."
"The RIU has acted in support of the SPCA and is awaiting the SPCA to complete its investigation."
"Dependent on that result the RIU will then carry out an investigation into whether there have been any breaches of the Rules of Racing."
When the investigation will be complete is unclear.
A live-baiting scandal in Australia almost brought down the greyhound industry in New South Wales.
On the back of a nationally televised documentary showing live-baiting practices in 2015, the New South Wales government banned the sport.
The ban was eventually overturned in October, but the tarnish the scandal left on the greyhound industry did not lift.
