Live baiting not the norm in Qld: Byrne

Queensland's greyhound industry shouldn't be completely tarnished by revelations some trainers use live baiting during practice, the state's new racing minister says.

Labor's Bill Byrne had been in the job for less than 24 hours when ABC's Four Corners aired the shocking footage on Monday.

The footage, shot by animal activists, showed animals including possums and piglets being used as bait to train greyhounds, who chased and mauled them to death.

Mr Byrne says he is appalled by what he saw and hopes "the mongrels involved in this would be facing the full consequence of their actions".

He says he has sought urgent advice about what powers are available to him as racing minister to help eradicate the practice.

However, he says it is unfair to assume all trainers used live baiting.

"I would hate to tarnish an entire industry by the actions of some," he said.

"Most of the people I know in the greyhound industry, particularly in regional Queensland, are decent honest hardworking Queenslanders.

"It would be a quantum leap to suggest the entire industry ... should be curtailed because of these dreadful revelations."

Mr Byrne said the current laws in Queensland were "more than adequate to deal with these acts of barbarism".

"What's needed is a clear understanding of how such things could happen given the regulatory framework that we have."

Several trainers from Queensland, including Tom Noble, whose Churchable property was raided last week, have been suspended while investigations are continuing.

The RSPCA says criminal charges are imminent and trainers found guilty of live baiting could be jailed for up to one year.