Police to investigate NSW greyhound worker

A NSW greyhound industry worker who allegedly used a cattle prod to shock a dog in Newcastle is being investigated, police have confirmed.

The joint investigation with animal rights group RSPCA comes after Greyhound Racing NSW on Friday announced it had referred the matter following an independent investigation into video footage of the alleged incident in 2012.

The video, filmed at The Gardens in Wallsend, shows a man giving the dog multiple shocks with a prod emitting 600 volts as it waits in the stalls to race.

RSPCA NSW chief inspector David O'Shannessy told AAP his organisation would work with police to identify any offending and "take appropriate action".

"Stock prods are manufactured and designed to be used on livestock animal species and to use them on a dog is unreasonable, unnecessary and unjustifiable," he said.

The fact that the alleged incident took place four years ago is a challenge for the investigation, Mr O'Shannessy said.

"We encourage people to report it in a timely manner so that those issues can be investigated and action taken," he said.