''It is easy to forget the reality of the greyhound who did not compete this racing season … for me, walking into an anatomy lesson and seeing hundreds of donated cadavers (you'd be hard-pressed to find a non-greyhound) literally piling up is a very real and constant reminder. To the university's credit, all cadavers are legally obtained and nothing is done wrong. But the fact there is a surplus of 'donated' dogs is very sad.''

Another student said: ''At uni, the breed of dog we investigate are greyhounds - because there are hundreds of them being dumped at the RSPCA shelters.''

Greens MP John Kaye, the deputy chairman of the committee running the inquiry, has already heard evidence that many healthy dogs are being killed because they were not fast enough or did not chase. The numbers remain unknown because they just disappear without trace every year.

A veterinary nurse has also made a submission saying: ''At my hospital alone we euthanise over 100 greyhounds a year, usually between the age of 2-4 because they suffer from either slow runners or non-chasers disease. This is what they call it.''

Dr Kaye said vet students were finding themselves at the front line of the unwanted greyhound crisis.