GWIC official decision on NSW greyhound trainer Trevor Rice
Mr. Trevor Leonard Rice was found guilty of multiple breaches of the Greyhound Racing Rules by the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC) resulting in a comprehensive list of charges spanning from unauthorised retirements of greyhounds to more severe welfare offences.
Here are the specific breaches and the penalties assigned to each:
Notification Offenses (Charges 1 to 9 and 18)
Rule 86(o): This rule was violated by Mr. Rice on several occasions when he retired greyhounds to third parties or rehoming organisations without seeking prior approval from GWIC. These instances occurred on various dates between February 2019 and January 2022, involving greyhounds named Legend Man, Penumbra, Avoid Regrets, an unnamed greyhound (Ear Brand NHBYN), Simply Chaotic, another unnamed greyhound (Ear Brand NIESW), Odi Sanette, Fast Judgement, and Cappuccino.
Penalty: A fine of $250 per charge for each of these nine charges, totaling $2,250.
Rule 106(3)(b): Mr. Rice failed to notify the Commission within two working days about the death of three greyhounds in his care.
Penalty: A fine of $1,000.
False Statement Offenses (Charges 10 to 13)
Rule 86(x): This rule was violated by Mr. Rice when he made false statements to the Commission regarding the location of greyhounds Proud Moment, Odi Sannette, Fast Judgement, and Cappuccino on several occasions from November 2020 to May 2021.
Penalty: A disqualification of four (4) months per charge, with the periods of disqualification imposed for these charges to be served concurrently.
Welfare Offenses (Charges 14 to 17)
Rule 86(o): The most severe breaches involved the welfare of greyhounds, where Mr. Rice was found to have caused the death of greyhounds Big Prince, Double Take, Itchy McCaw, and Diva's Dream by using an object to inflict severe damage to their craniums and subsequently burying them on his property. The exact dates of these incidents are unknown, but they occurred between specific dates from June 2019 to January 2022 for each greyhound.
Penalty: A lifetime disqualification per charge, with the periods of disqualification for these charges to be served concurrently.
The total penalty for Mr. Rice included the cumulative fines totalling $3,250 and a lifetime disqualification from any involvement in the greyhound racing industry. These penalties reflect the severity of the offences, particularly the welfare offences that demonstrated a gross violation of the duty of care owed to the greyhounds under Mr. Rice's supervision. The disciplinary actions taken by GWIC in this case underscore the regulatory body's commitment to the welfare of greyhounds and the integrity of the racing industry.
The career of Mr. Trevor Leonard Rice in greyhound racing was marked by significant achievements over the years 2012 to 2022. During his active years, Rice accumulated 2,291 starts with 310 wins, reflecting a win percentage of approximately 13.53%. His overall placing percentage was about 42.08%, indicating that his greyhounds frequently finished in the top positions.
Rice's successful run in the industry was overshadowed by the infractions that led to GWIC imposing a fine of $3,250 in total and issuing a lifetime ban from racing, reflecting the serious nature of the offences and underscoring the industry's stringent welfare standards.