A BALLARAT vet has vowed to support the local greyhound industry following revelations of live baiting in the Victorian greyhound industry.
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Eureka Veterinary Clinic vet Rob Page, who works up to 20 race meets at Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club's Morshead Park complex a year, said he was not aware of live baiting occurring in Ballarat.
"I don't think we have greyhound trainers in Ballarat who live bait," Dr Page said.
"I'd never heard of rumours of anyone conducting live baiting. I think it would have come as quite a surprise to many people."
"From my point of view I've never seen live baiting and I don't think I've been missing signs of live baiting," he said.
"But our involvement is at the track only."
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Dr Page said animal welfare was at the forefront for Ballarat trainers and stewards.
"The trainers I deal with here are very good trainers and are all above board. But I can't speak for trainers away from our practice," he said.
"At the track the stewards that I work with have animal welfare at the forefront. They're top notch."
Dr Page said he did not personally know any of the trainers featured in the Monday's ABC Four Corners program on live baiting in the greyhound racing industry.
"That was animal cruelty at its worst. You can only hope it's only a small number of people," Dr Page said.
As part of his role at the Ballarat track, Dr Page checks up to 120 dogs before races and tend to injuries or if a dog has run poorly.
"We do the vet work at the Ballarat track and we are there to make sure the animals are in good condition and there for animal welfare," he said.
"I'm there for the safety of the animals."
He said the onus was now on GRV to take the necessary steps to ensure the law is enforced.
"I hope this is just going to be a few bad eggs. The Ballarat side of things is ok and I'd like to think that no one I deal with does live baiting," Dr Page said.
david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au
