An accident during a Swindon greyhound race that saw a dog lose a leg and left its owner needing counselling could have been avoided, claims a former employee.

At an employment tribunal, former Swindon Greyhound deputy racing manager Kiaran O'Brien was awarded £16,867.07 after experiencing 'detriment' at work for whistle-blowing on some of the organisation's practices. 

As well as making race-fixing allegations, Mr O'Brien shared concerns over the welfare of greyhounds. He said his attempts to stop a dangerous dog from racing failed, leading to what he called "an accident waiting to happen."

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain investigated the claims but found there was insufficient evidence to take any action against those in charge of the Swindon track.

Read: Swindon Greyhound whistleblower awarded thousands at tribunal

The dog in question, Newinn Buddy, collided with two other dogs during a race at the Blunsdon stadium on June 24, 2020. One of them, Ballymac Amarilo, was severely injured, needing reconstructive surgery costing roughly £6,000. 

A few days after the incident the dog's trainer is said to have "burst into tears" while talking to Mr O'Brien about it. Later, a phone call from the trainer's wife confirmed the dog had lost its leg leaving the trainer "beside himself", "constantly breaking down" and attending counselling. 

The tribunal took place in March, with the findings issued this month. Mr O'Brien argued he developed and reported concerns about Newinn Buddy and said the dog wiped out other dogs during a trial.

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He says he arranged a re-trial to determine if the dogs should race, but it was alleged racing manager Clive Oseman cancelled it and put Newinn Buddy forward anyway. When Mr O'Brien objected to this, he claimed Mr Oseman's response was: "If I want your opinion I’ll ask for it."

Mr O'Brien stepped down as welfare officer and says he called greyhound's racing governing body GBGB about his concerns.

He says he told them: “I fear a major welfare issue is likely to unfold in the coming weeks at the track which I cannot control or rectify.”

Following the accident, Mr O'Brien says he got into a furious row with Mr Oseman.

Mr O'Brien was dismissed a few days later, on July 9. In the tribunal, Mr O'Brien also shared concerns he had over alleged race-fixing at the track.

A spokesperson from Swindon Stadium said: "I cannot comment further on this matter as it is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings other than to advise that all matters relating to greyhound racing at Swindon Stadium raised by Mr O’Brien in the Employment Tribunal have been at the time they first came to our attention, the subject of thorough enquiry by the sports governing body, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB)."

A spokesman from the GBGB added: “The health and safety of greyhounds is paramount within licensed greyhound racing and through our Rules of Racing, we seek to uphold the very highest standards of welfare and integrity at all times.

"Where we receive any complaints about potential rule breaches, these are taken very seriously and considered by our disciplinary authority who will take the appropriate action in light of the evidence.” 

The board investigated Mr O'Brien's claims regarding the grading of dogs for race suitability and the incident that led to Newinn Buddy's accident and found there to be insufficient evidence to support the need for further action. 

It says it will investigate if further evidence is presented.