After prominent NSW greyhound trainer Melinda Finn was busted four times for doping her dogs with a potentially lethal performance-enhancing drug, she felt the full might of racing authorities last December, copping a 12-year disqualification from the sport.

But Fairfax Media can now reveal that, at a time when the industry is trying to demonstrate it has turned a corner in terms of animal cruelty and cheating, a Racing Appeals Tribunal not only upheld her appeal last month, it downgraded her penalty by almost a decade to two years and six months.

Facing questions: Trainer Melinda Finn. Credit:Robert Peet

While Greyhound Racing NSW said on Friday it does not comment on appeal decisions, Fairfax Media is aware of "deep disappointment" within its ranks over the controversial ruling.

Mrs Finn is married to trainer John Finn, who was also banished from the sport in 2015 over a $73,000 debt to Greyhound Racing NSW, the majority of which was won by his dog Winsome Charlee which returned a positive urine sample after winning a semi-final of the 2013 "Golden Easter Egg".