Seven charged with live baiting by Greyhound Racing Victoria

SEVEN people have been charged by Greyhound over their involvement in at the Tooradin Trial Track.

Tooradin, south east of Melbourne, was the scene of the Four Corners program that aired in January. The footage showed racing dogs chasing rabbits, pigs and possums, before tearing them apart.

The charges are the latest of a series of blows for the industry, which has copped a battering since investigations around the country revealed just how widespread live baiting was.

announced on the 33 charges against seven of the 15 implicated at Tooradin were the “first set of charges”, meaning there is still the threat of further action by GRV.

The people charged with offences contrary to the GRV Local Racing and Rules are Christopher Connolly, Dennis Dean, Brett Mackie, , Anthony Mills, and Eric Sykes.

Greyhound Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board () will hear and determine the charges for these “serious offences”.

“There has been a need to do a thorough and comprehensive investigation into all matters associated with the alleged activities at the Tooradin Trial Track which is why the investigation has taken the time it has,” GRV Chairman Ray Gunston said.

“Where persons are found to have been involved in this heinous activity, we are determined to ensure the strongest possible penalty is handed down.

“There is absolutely and categorically no place for people within this sport that are proven to have been involved in such barbaric and disgraceful activities that are not befitting of industry and community values.”

The RADB is yet to set a timetable for the hearing and determination of the matters. Investigations by Stewards are continuing into the actions of a further eight suspended persons.

Other people to go in the carnage that followed the live baiting revelations, include the board of Greyhound Racing Victoria and 20 industry figures in Queensland, who have been suspended.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
2 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Dezzey
Dezzey
8 years ago

Taskforce team leader Detective Sergeant Tracey Pelling yesterday said it was apparent live baiting was entrenched in the industry. “I’ve had a trainer say to me, ‘put 10 greyhound trainers in a room and say put your hand up if you haven’t live baited’,” she said. “He said one will put their hand up and he’s a liar. That’s from the industry itself.” Some of the state’s 800 trainers “believe they cannot train without using a live bait”, Sgt Pelling said. Live baiting was so standard for some trainers that they discussed the State of Origin and Broncos while a… Read more »

Dezzey
Dezzey
8 years ago

Taskforce team leaderDetective Sergeant Tracey Pelling yesterday said it was apparent live baitingwas entrenched in the industry. “I’ve had a trainersay to me, ‘put 10 greyhound trainers in a room and say put your hand up if youhaven’t live baited’,” she said. “He said one will puttheir hand up and he’s a liar. That’s from the industry itself.” Some of the state’s800 trainers “believe they cannot train without using a live bait”, Sgt Pellingsaid. Live baiting was sostandard for some trainers that they discussed the State of Origin and Broncoswhile a bleeding piglet hung on a lure next to them.… Read more »