Port News spoke with the president who has been involved in the sport for many decades. Nairn hasn’t trained greyhounds since 2003 but said he, more than anyone, wants to see the sport cleaned up.

His comment comes after the most recent claim to come out of the ongoing inquiry that trainers were taking advantage of a Kempsey Shire Council free euthanasia service.

Karuah based trainer Alexander Verhagen gave evidence at the resumption of the special commission of inquiry into greyhound racing earlier this week.

He said he would drive unneeded dogs to a ranger at Kempsey Shire Council, who would destroy the dogs for free as part of a council service.

Nairn said he was not aware of the service but said he was surprised the trainer in question was unable to re-home the animals.

“It’s obviously not good and it doesn’t paint a very nice picture for the industry,” he said.

“But these dogs are seriously the most placid animals you would ever come across, they make the best pets, so I’m very surprised they were unable to be re-homed.

“I’m pretty disgusted by it, if it has to be done (euthanasia) it is suppose to be done in a correct and legal way.”

While Nairn admitted the industry needed cleaning up he believes some of the figures of supposed euthanised dogs were incorrect. 

“There are so many dogs around that are racing that have had 30 starts and no wins, you see it all the time,” he said.

“So trainers aren’t out there getting rid of dogs that are no good, they are still out there racing.

“Most trainers I know love their dogs and don’t care if it takes 40 starts for them to win.

“But, like everything there are some bad apples out there and hopefully this inquiry will get those people out of the industry.”

Kempsey Shire Council general manager David Rawlings said the council had not foreseen that people would take advantage of the free euthanasia service.

“A long time ago the council started providing a free service as there were many dogs being turned loose rather than being surrendered or put down,” Mr Rawlings said.

“This was leading to issues with these animals running free resulting in an unacceptable risk to the community.

“The council sought to stop this problem by providing an option for those who could not afford to deal properly with their companion animals.

“But I don’t think anyone foresaw that people, particularly from outside our council area, would seek to utilise this service. It is definitely not why the service is in place.”

Mr Rawlings said the council ranger is legally able to euthanase animals.