The Greyhound Racing Victoria board has resigned despite not being found to have known about live animals being used to train greyhounds.
Greyhound Racing Victoria chairman Michael Harms tendered the board's resignations after racing integrity commissioner Sal Perna found it would be naive to think live baiting was not occurring elsewhere in Victoria apart from one facility.
Mr Perna said there was no evidence the GRV board or senior management knew that live baiting was occurring but there was a culture in the industry that it was an accepted practice going back generations.
Mr Harms indicated that a new start was needed for the industry, Racing Minister Martin Pakula said on Wednesday.
Mr Pakula said the new GRV board would help restore confidence in the greyhound racing industry.
"We don't for a moment believe that the appointment of a new board will by itself restore confidence," he told reporters.
He said cultural change was needed.
Former GRV chairman Peter Caillard quit last month saying he could no longer be certain live baiting was restricted to a small band of trainers at a private Tootadin facility, where 15 people have been suspended.
The board of Greyhound Racing NSW has also stepped down after revelations live animals have been used to train greyhounds in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
GRV's new chairman will be former interim CEO of Essendon Football Club Ray Gunston.
Former Victoria Police chief commissioner Ken Lay and Melbourne barrister Judith Bornstein will join him on the board.
Mr Harms said the resignations were in the interests of clearing the way for GRV and the government to continue to restore confidence in greyhound racing.
"It is our firm view that the vast majority of those involved in greyhound racing in Victoria are good, honest people who treat animals with respect," Mr Harms said in a statement.
He said it was disgraceful and unacceptable that a small number of people had behaved so heinously.
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