GRSA charges two greyhound participants on welfare breaches
In response to disturbing footage of apparent greyhound abuse released in the media earlier this week, Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA) stewards have laid multiple charges against two registered persons.
Stewards laid a total of 12 individual charges under the Greyhounds Australasia Rules and Local Rules of racing.
‘Person A' has been charged with five separate counts of ill-treatment of a greyhound, along with the following:
- Failure to exercise care and supervision of a greyhound to prevent pain or suffering
- Causing or permitting on premises a condition dangerous to health, welfare or safety of a greyhound
- Conducting detrimental to the interest, welfare, image, control or promotion of greyhound racing
‘Person B' has been hit with singular counts of the same four charges.
The matter will now go before the Integrity Hearings Panel, the independent body convened by GRSA which is responsible for hearing and investigating the charges as well as determining appropriate penalties if charges are proven.
In South Australia, anyone found to be ill-treating a greyhound is guilty of a serious offence and would face a minimum two years' disqualification as well as a loss of registration for 10 years from the date of conviction.
The date for this hearing is yet to be fixed.
The suspensions applied by GRSA against the two participants remain in effect indefinitely, as does a restriction over the associated property.
This prevents either participant from keeping greyhounds or attending, training or participating in any form of greyhound racing.
“That these charges have been laid less than 48 hours after we first saw the vision is a reflection of how seriously we take the welfare of our animals and how disgusted we were by this vision,” said Bodelle Francis, GRSA CEO.
“I commend our stewards for their swift and decisive action and for the thoroughness of their investigation to this point. The matter will now be referred to the independent Integrity Hearings Panel for determination.”