Janet Silver has been handed a nine month disqualification by Greyhound Racing NSW after stewards found “serious omissions” by her in her responsibilities as a trainer and breeder.

“While there is no evidence of intentional or wilful conduct by the participant, her conduct has fallen seriously short of the minimum standard expected in taking proper care of the greyhounds entrusted to her,” Steward Jane Seymour said in her decision, handed down last week.

“Her conduct is characterized by neglect of her duties and responsibilities as a registered trainer. There is evidence of a systemic pattern of behaviour, not a ‘one off’ incident of failure to meet appropriate standards of care.” 

Stewards laid six charges against the local trainer and breeder after inspections of her kennels on a Gunnedah property, in late-2015, and earlier this year.

During a January inspection, authorities said the temperature was 35 degrees but Silver failed to secure water bowls to prevent greyhounds spilling water out of the bowls – an issue which had been raised several times with her in 2015.

Stewards found she failed to ensure the greyhounds in her care were provided with enough water at all times between August and January, 2016.

They also found she breached the codes of practice as well as the guidelines for trainers by failing to provide adequate protection for the greyhounds from adverse heat, namely that she didn’t install more shade and ventilation in the kennels.

When compliance officers went to the property on November 11, last year, they found the greyhound “Our Guy”, was injured, and she was charged with failing to provide immediate veterinary care “to relieve its pain, suffering and distress” between November 7 and 12, last year.

The dog was “very lame” and they ordered the animal be taken for an immediate vet inspection, but the officers said Silver was aware the dog was injured and did not act.

“Not only was such veterinary care not provided immediately upon presentation of the symptom, it was not provided at the Participant’s initiative at all, only upon the intervention and direction of the Compliance Officers who happened to schedule an inspection at that time,” Ms Seymour said.

Ms Seymour found three of the charges to be proven and said the three areas of non-compliance relating to water, shade and heat were “serious omissions”, and continued between August, 2015, and January, 2016.

“Gunnedah is an area where temperatures can regularly exceed 40 degrees during summer,” she said in her decision.

“Further, I have found that the omissions persisted over an extended period of 5 months (including some summer months), despite multiple directions given verbally and in writing by the compliance officers.” 

She also found a fourth charge proven for failing to intervene when “our Guy” needed veterinary attention.

Ms Seymour imposed a 12 month disqualification but reduced it to nine months, to start immediately, for Silver’s early guilty plea.

Silver was also fined $800 for the four offences.