A Hunter region greyhound trainer would drive 250km up the coast to have dogs killed and bypass vets for treatment in favour of “muscle men” because he wanted to cut costs, an inquiry has heard.

The special commission of inquiry into the NSW greyhound industry, held over four days, is expected to focus on questions of welfare, including the treatment of injuries and the practice of dogs being put down by non-veterinarians.

Alex Verhagen, a breeder and trainer from Swan Bay, north of Newcastle, told the inquiry on Tuesday he had had eight “savaged” or “injured” dogs put down this year by a council ranger working for Kempsey shire council, all free.

Verhagen said he preferred the long drive over a trip to his local vet because the cost of having a dog euthanised at the surgery was $180.

He detailed how the dogs he arranged to have killed were not seen by a vet first, and how he had regular visits from “muscle men” who charged $10 a head to manipulate dogs’ muscles.

The inquiry heard Greyhound Racing NSW’s code of conduct required that euthanasia be carried out by qualified veterinarians, but Verhagen said this policy was not enforced.

“By not enforcing it meant to me that it was acceptable,” he said. “They have penalties for this and penalties for that but never, ever enforced them.”

The inquiry continues before the former high court judge Michael McHugh.