Live baiting scandals and a history of animal mistreatment has forced the Racing Industry Reference Committee (RIRC) to change tack. 

It has created the “Greyhound Project”, aimed at ensuring greyhound racing figures abide to strict animal welfare rules and act ethically. 

The project has sparked outrage from industry veterans, who have labelled it “patronising, ridiculous and insulting”. 

Seasoned trainer Ron Harman said he does not need to be taught how to train a dog after half-a-century of racing experience. 

“Some people have done the wrong thing but that doesn’t mean we should all be treated like school kids,” he said. 

“There are people in this industry who have trained dogs since they were 13-years-old and the last thing they should have to do is take a patronising course.

“There’s a right way to do things and a wrong way to do things and this is the wrong way.”

The qualifications will be categorised into a Certificate II in Racing (Greyhounds) or a Certificate III in Racing (Greyhounds), with specific units for attendants, trainers, breeders, catchers, rearers and for whelping.

A spokesperson for the Greyhound Project told Australian Racing Greyhound the move was necessary, given no review has been undertaken since 2008.

“Through this project, consultation is now underway to ensure these units are up to date and that they encapsulate racing integrity and animal welfare skills and knowledge,” the spokesperson said.

“The industry is in the spotlight due to a number of issues over the past couple of years.

“The project will ensure that racing integrity and animal welfare skills and knowledge is reflected in all greyhound racing qualifications, units and skill sets.”

It comes after the sport was earmarked for death row, following then-Premier Mike Baird’s decision to ban greyhound racing statewide. 

The ban was reversed months later.

Some of the units include: