Greyhound racing highest-ranking authorities were warned about live baiting in the industry more than five years ago but did not take steps to stamp it out, a court has heard.
Racing stewards warned in a 2009 presentation to a meeting of Greyhound Racing NSW executives and the RSPCA that there was a need to "eradicate the historic practice of using live animals in training", the inquiry into NSW greyhound racing has heard.
Former chief executive of GRNSW, Brent Hogan, told the inquiry on Thursday that while stewards may have had a concern, he was not aware of any evidence at the time that live baiting was a widespread issue.
"I can't speak to the knowledge of the person who wrote that document," he said.
The court heard the lack of regulation of "breaking-in" establishments, where live baiting could occur, had been identified as an issue but such regulation has been enforced.
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Commissioner Michael McHugh asked "why wasn't anything done" given GRNSW had identified regulation as an issue five-and-a-half years ago.
Mr Hogan said GRNSW was focused at the time on dealing with serious problems in its computer records systems after taking over regulation of greyhound racing.
