Keinbah inquiry finds at least 99 greyhound remains on property
AN indépendant report into the Keinbah trial track has found that at least 99 greyhounds had been killed and buried in a mass grave on the property over a four year period.
The deplorable revelations come after a year long investigation into the property, with the report, led by Clive Steirn SC, finding that most were killed by a blow to the head – either by a gunshot or a blunt instrument.
The killings are believed to have occurred between 2009 and 2013, prior to the property being purchased by its current owners Robert and Natina Howard.
Rumours of a mass grave at Keinbah began circulating last year, however a Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) inquiry found that there was no evidence of a mass grave on the property following a two day disciplinary hearing.
A week later bones were discovered when equipment, being used for fencing, sunk into the ground and revealed skeletal remains of a number of greyhounds.
Mr Steirn SC made the recommendation in his report that GRNSW require a number of implicated individuals to ‘show cause' as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for breaches of the Greyhound Racing Rules.
GRNSW is currently liaising with law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies to determine whether the report discloses any criminal offences.
The full report into the inquiry is set to be released, however GRNSW is currently withholding it so it does not impact on any potential criminal prosecutions.
The news comes less than two weeks after the Baird government announced plans to close down the greyhound racing industry within NSW following the report from the Special Commission of Inquiry.
The Special Commission was led by Justice Michael McHugh, who claimed in his report that systemic cruelty was present within the industry as well as the widespread practice of live baiting and high numbers of wastage.
Paul Newson, who was appointed as the interim CEO of GRNSW following last February's live baiting scandal, was replaced by an administrator last week, and said in a statement that the timing of the Keinbah report was unfortunate.
“The report findings have confirmed everyone's worst fears that mass graves have been a feature of the greyhound racing industry and a number of industry participants were involved in horrific and unconscionable acts of animal cruelty which cannot be, if proven, allowed to go unanswered,” Newson said.
“I recognise the timing of the report is unfortunate, falling immediately after the McHugh inquiry and government decision to close down the sport, however, GRNSW must continue to safeguard animal welfare and integrity and take immediate action where misconduct and serious wrongdoing is revealed.”
The decision to appoint Mr Steirn SC as the head of the independent review came after the NSW RSPCA and NSW Police failed to take further investigative action following GRNSW's initial inquiry.
The investigation was the first full archaeological excavation and forensic examination of a mass grave and its contents in Australia.
“Given the serious nature of the allegations I referred GRNSW's earlier investigation findings to the NSW RSPCA and NSW Police to consider whether, notwithstanding the potential difficulties, any further action could be taken to investigate the allegations,” Newson said.
“While GRNSW believed it was not best equipped or the most appropriate organisation to conduct major excavation, exhumation and forensic analysis work, in the circumstances, and following confirmation that other agencies did not intend to conduct further investigation, I was persuaded that the current investigation report prepared by Mr Steirn SC was the correct and only path to investigate this matter.
“Although sadly too late to protect the many greyhounds killed, the report shows GRNSW was committed to overcoming past failures, exposing individuals involved in animal cruelty and ridding the industry of participants unable or unwilling to meets its animal welfare and integrity standards.
“GRNSW's resolve to see this complex and comprehensive investigation to conclusion demonstrates it's willingness to address our worst problems in the open and be held to account for industry reform and effective supervision of greyhound racing.”
Details of the report which have so far come to light include findings that 95% of dogs excavated and analysed from three seperate sites on the Hunter Valley property had no evidence of any other injury around the time of death.
“Logically, the only probable motive for culling greyhounds in these circumstances leads to a conclusion the animals were being killed for no other reason than that they were found to be underperforming after being trialed, and therefore of no further use,” Mr Steirn SC said.
Also noted in the report was the burial pattern which indicated that 60% of the dogs were buried in groups of two, three, or four, all of which had sustained skull trauma. This happened on a minimum of 11 occasions at the site.
Mr Steirn SC has recommended that the responsible parties be held accountable who allegedly provided false or misleading evidence at prior Stewards' inquiries.
“It is probable that most of these dogs were killed for reasons other than emergency euthanasia, which was the reason advanced by material witnesses.”
The similar Queensland case has led to criminal charges for gun law breeches ( criminal charges) against two people. The case is due to be heard during this year.
That same bad apple again.
DaveSampson75 I been waiting for you Dave and you didn’t disappoint me. 99 as sad as it is, not 45,000.
John Tracey was this because it is not illegal to shoot dogs John?
Deborah555 DaveSampson75 Yep because as we know, this is the only mass grave ever found (which it isnt) and therefore we know there arent any other mass graves as surely they would all be found (scoff) so therefore this is a one off. Another ‘bad apple’ giving the industry a bad name. Those bad apples are starting to mount up! I do wonder what the trainers in the Hunter Valley thought when they kept noticing that dogs they were racing against the previous week suddenly stopped showing up. Got bored of racing did they so decided to retire to a life… Read more »
As sad as this situation is, it must be remembered that farmers all over Australia destroy their dogs in the same manner. This was acknowledged in an ABC Landline program in an article about failed working dogs. The Program host commented that 60,000 failed working dogs were either shot or drowned because the poor old farmer does not need another hungry mouth to feed. Go figure! Did the Greenies within the ABC pick up on it and run with the story condemning farmers. Nooooo! Troy Grant is now dripfeeding the press with cases of animal cruelty. Cruelty or not,… Read more »
DaveSampson75 Deborah555 No the other contained 13 dogs. The industry has admitted to dogs being put down and so have the horse people. They are disputing the number of 45000 and doing their best to reform the industry. What is it that you actually do for animal welfare Dave other than come on a racing lovers site with your high moral attitude condemning trainers and owners? I don’t think you are motivated by a love of animals I think you just love the sound of your own posts.
A reporter from the Financial Review (whose twitter page has a photo of himself from 15 years ago, I do wonder about anyone who does that) claims that Baird was gobsmacked that a prestigious law firm was willing to represent, heavens the dog people, after suggesting (without naming the other firms) that other legal firms didn’t want to represent these types of people and then Baird claims this is not class warfare. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck then it probably is. Another academic ( I use the term loosely) claims it is okay for the horse people to have… Read more »
Sort of puts paid to the spin that they all love their greyhounds and their greyhounds are pets and family – who would hit their pet or family member on the head with a blunt instrument or take them to a mass grave and shoot them? Sounds an awful lot like what nazis did. Just saying…
LindaDicmanis 60,000 working dogs get shot Linda have you been on any farming websites lately to condemn them, have you rung up the RSPCA and asked them about the 100,000 cats and dogs they killed last year? Even better have you rung up and volunteered to help out – no that would require a bit of effort so much easier to get on a website and rave on. What is it with you so called animal lovers that you seem incapable of having a say without using inflammatory and I may add totally irrelevant comparisons like Nazis and not one… Read more »
I think the important points that need to be made regardingthe report from this enquiry about activities prior to 2013 are:
(1) it was instigated after advocacy from greyhound racingparticipants including trainer Bob Whitelaw
(2) it was commissioned by the sports regulator GRNSW afterthe RSPCA and NSW Police were not prepared to further investigate
(3) it was undertaken with the cooperation of the currentowners of the Keinbah Trial Track who discovered the mass grave afterpurchasing the property in 2013.
This is an example of how greyhound racing is prepared toaddress what has happened in the past regardless of the negative consequences
Deborah555 John Tracey Short answer is yes as criminal codes require unnecessary cruelty as a rule and euthanasia of animal needs to be done in a cruel way to qualify. The greyhound control boards have rules requiring euthanasia be carried out when possible by Vets. The breech of the domestic rules would be civil. I am not aware of the specific case totally but I assume that there were allegations of aggravated cruelty but there were legal problems with the execution of the warrant and the matter has been before the bench several times leading to a lesser charge dealing with… Read more »
LindaDicmanis A lot of farmers Linda.
Deborah555 LindaDicmanis We’ve been over this before. The RSPCA does what it can with limited resources to save and look after animals and puts them down as a last resort when it does not have the resources to feed and house them and has been unsuccessful at trying to adopt animals out to the public. At that point death is preferable to starvation. The RSPCA does not create the problem of excess unwanted animals, it is cleaning up the irresponsible actions of others that creates a glut of excess unwanted animals. It’s intellectually dishonest to keep comparing the actions of the… Read more »
Hugh_ Deborah555 LindaDicmanis My criticism was not of the RSPCA nor farmers they both have to make hard choices. Did it ever occur to you Hugh that is why some people in the racing game also put animals down – they simply cannot afford to feed them any longer. I was merely questioning Linda’s sincerity or otherwise and suggesting that using a term like Nazis is inflammatory and unnecessary in a debate. I think Linda might be just jumping on the bandwagon and please Hugh can you tell your mates at Animals Australia that we could not possibly be made any more aware of red… Read more »
Thousands of unwanted dogs are humanely euthanized by the RSPCA each year and nobody can deny that is a blessing.
In light of this discussion however I do have a problem with the thousands of stray dogs at the mercy of dog catchers (employed by the shires and councils all across Australia) especially in regional areas that are simply taken out and shot with the full knowledge of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY that is answerable to the STATE GOVERNMENT.
lone widow Any unwanted animal being put down is sad. The RSPCA once ran programmes where they would desex animals for a very small amount and the programme was well supported. Surely this is a better solution. Whether the needle or gun it is sad but both are almost instantaneous and as sad as it is better than starvation. I do however see your point about the hypocrisy of the state government and agree with you and so would 6000 brumbies Baird authorised the killing of the appease the environmental lobby and get them on side now that Rev Fred… Read more »
davidf82 I believe the RSPCA and Police refused to act because it is not illegal to shoot a dog in NSW just illegal to do it with an unlicensed gun. This may have changed although given they are alleging the offences are providing false information it would not appear to be the case. I fail to see what digging up deceased dogs will achieve- the racing codes have admitted wastage and have demonstrated they are willing to do something serious about it.
Deborah555 lone widow No doubt they keep accurate records of how many they destroy.
lone widow Deborah555 oh absolutely, breeding, how many brothers and sisters in their litter, how many other litters their mum’s had, dam and sire, microchip, registration, treatment records, earbrands- for every single one of them. Yes I have seen that nodding red headed git that runs the show and when he is not trying to put himself up grant and baird’s bottoms I am sure he dedicates himself to keeping records on 100,000 dogs and cats. I have absolute faith in him. Lone widow have you seen the latest addition to the crew at Animals Australia – they actually have a man on… Read more »
Deborah555 Hugh_ LindaDicmanis You questioned her sincerity by implying that if she really cares about animal welfare she should also be protesting against the RSPCA. I’m pointing out why that makes no sense. If you’re a breeder, and you breed more animals than you can afford to look after, then you’re creating the problem of unwanted animals. If you’re the RSPCA, you’re trying trying to fix the problem of unwanted animals. There’s absolutely no comparison to be had between the two. One creates a problem, one does everything they can to fix a problem created by others. When you breed a litter… Read more »
Hugh_ Deborah555 LindaDicmanis Hugh if your job is to oversee killing 100,000 dogs and cats regardless of whose fault it is – you have shown that you are prepared to take a salary a big salary with super- based on killing animals and if you were really so upset about killing animals you would not be in this position. Would you take up that job Hugh? I don’t condemn him based on what he does just that he is hypocritical about anyone else who kills animals. He doesn’t care about greyhounds he is just toadying to boy baird. Watching a boring add about… Read more »
Deborah555 Hugh_ LindaDicmanis It’s not hypocritical. I’ve explained why it’s not hypocritical ad nauseam. If you can’t see the difference between doing everything possible to save animals that other people have abandoned, and only putting them down as a last resort, versus intentionally breeding surplus animals that you know will then need to be put down, then I’m at a loss. There’s no other way I can explain it to you or make it clearer. You just don’t want to accept it, and when you suggest that the work the RSPCA does is “based on killing animals” you demonstrate that you are… Read more »
Hugh_ Deborah555 LindaDicmanis No Hugh they do not have the right to tell others how to live their lives and that in essence is the main objection I have about certain animal activists. Free speech is a very, very different matter. To change how people live you need a mandate, in a free country anyway. When I first read your posts I estimated your age as in your twenties- ( I now think you are a fair bit older than that) your idealism, belief that you can make the world a better place and you just cannot understand why it has not been done already… Read more »
Hugh_ Deborah555 LindaDicmanis What’s with this constant defence of Linda Hugh it cannot be for the qualitiy of her arguments- is it just the lovely face. I have never heard you this defensive of a fellow poster.
Hugh_ Deborah555 LindaDicmanis I have been in charge of Government rehab units and have benefited from therapist advice which was mandatory condition of employment. Productive people often have fragile personalities and people in our unit were made up of people who struggled through, true professionals who never got off the rails and people who had to leave the unit as they could not hack the horrors. One of my favourite social workers resigned and got accepted for NiDA. An orderly sold his house and put all his assets in cash and handed them out to handicapped people. Other staff preached on the… Read more »
Deborah555 Hugh_ LindaDicmanis Yes, they do have the right to tell others. That’s all their doing, “telling”, using words. They aren’t forcing anyone, they’re saying “we don’t think you should do this because it’s wrong” and you are free to ignore them, disagree with them, respond to them however you choose. That’s free speech. It’s no different to a libertarian saying there should be lower taxes, a marriage equality advocate saying we should legalise gay marriage, or the christian lobby saying we shouldn’t legalise gay marriage. These are all examples of people arguing for what they believe is right, and that is… Read more »
Deborah555 Hugh_ LindaDicmanis I have no idea who Linda is and I’m not trying to defend anyone. I read the article, I looked at the comments, and I saw someone making flawed, illogical arguments that I didn’t agree with, so I decided to respond. Again you focus on the person instead of the argument. Have you looked up the ad hominem fallacy yet? You’re the master of it. If one can call constantly using a logical fallacy mastery…
John Tracey Hugh_ Deborah555 LindaDicmanis John if you’re trying to suggest that protecting animal welfare through the legal system is fascist, then that’s ridiculous. It’s no different to protecting human welfare through the legal system. But honestly I mostly find it hard to understand what your point is in many of your posts.
Hugh_ LindaDicmanis I was teasing you Hugh about Linda lighten up.
Deborah555 Hugh_ LindaDicmanis hmph! *folds arms*
Hugh_ John Tracey Deborah555 LindaDicmanis Hugh lighten up. I too found John’s posts a bit hard at first because I realised he was obviously clever with a wealth of experience somewhere so I did a bit of research, well a lot really, and found someone with remarkable experience and because I was a teacher it suddenly dawned on me what it was that John had and now I understand all that he posts. I am not going to embarrass John by saying what it is and if you are as clever as you think you should be able to figure it out as well and… Read more »
Deborah555 Hugh_ John Tracey LindaDicmanis I never said I was clever. I also wasn’t having a go at him. It’s obvious that John is a smart guy with a lot of relevant experience who posts insightful stuff, but I am often left unsure if I am interpreting his meaning correctly. It’s not an insult, just a statement of fact, a caveat I felt the need to make because I was unsure if I was interpreting him accurately. Perhaps my wording was overly blunt. I do think it’s ridiculous to imply that protecting animals under law is fascist if that is in fact what… Read more »
Hugh_ John Tracey Deborah555 LindaDicmanis PS John I hope I have not gone to far here and if I have I apologise in advance. but I was very curious about you and wanted to understand what you were saying because it was obvious that you had a wealth of experience.
Hugh_ Deborah555 John Tracey LindaDicmanis I know you were not insulting him. He is not saying what you think. Here is a clue Hugh reverse, reverse, reverse.
Deborah555 Hugh_ John Tracey LindaDicmanis No problems , Deborah you obviously understand dyslexia patterns. I meant the opposite to what is being interpreted what I meant was that fascism is not an issue either way. In retrospect I should not have included the legal/fascist quote. This quote was in response to the war graves and the graphical description of writings in World War two presented on Foxtel repeating Dr Brendon Nelson’s readings from historians on the front line in both world wars. The imagery created by Dr Nelson were as confronting and probably more confronting than the ABC images on the greyhound graves.… Read more »
John Tracey Deborah555 Hugh_ LindaDicmanis Yes I was intrigued and if I had still been teaching I would have picked the pattern straight away but I have been retired for a while now. I was reading something else you wrote and I suddenly had a memory of two students very, very clever students who had similar writing patterns as you and then it twigged. I really enjoyed this article, it is interesting that when you write from your heart you express yourself perfectly. After I had posted the comment I was worried that I may have been too personal. Thank you for being so gracious… Read more »
John Tracey Deborah555 Thanks John