Industry can emerge stronger and better from latest scandal

BY NATURE, greyhounds are predators. It's their instinct to chase, catch and kill.

This natural tendency was widely put to use in Australia starting in the 1860s and continuing until live was made illegal in 1985.

Since then, it appears the authorities have turned a blind eye to the fact some trainers within the sport still use as a method of training their greyhounds to chase the .

The live-baiting issue has burst back into the spotlight during the past week. Five properties were raided last week by the in conjunction with the police in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales after Four Corners, which was working with Animals Australia and the Animal Liberation Queensland, presented the results of an investigation into greyhound racing to the state-based RSPCAs.

The raids have resulted in 23 people being stood down immediately, with desperate calls from the RSPCA and groups to put an end to the sport. To make matters even worse, the industry's darkest secret is set to be exposed on a gritty episode of the ABC's Four Corners program titled “Making A Killing”.

The question that needs to be asked is how can the respective greyhound racing authorities have stood back for so long and let it continue? Surely they would have known the live-baiting problem still existed. Now it has been neglected for so long the RSPCA has dragged the industry's skeletons out of the closet and into the spotlight for mainstream and a horrified public audience to gawk at.

It is not good enough.

There is no denying it is a serious issue and GRNSW alone invested $1.3 million into welfare during the 2014 financial year – so shouldn't this have been something that was investigated heavily?

How can authority bodies that are meant to be devoted to and welfare be upstaged by outsider groups that have invested far less time and money before finding a much bigger problem?

Australian Racing Greyhound attempted to contact CEOs (GRNSW) and (GRV), to ask why proactive action had not been taken prior to the RSPCA and ABC jumping on board, but they were not willing to make additional comments relating to our questions.

Participants have the right to be angry. Not everyone does the wrong thing, but now everyone will be tarred with the same brush as headlines emerge left, right and centre that are essentially accusing the whole industry of being guilty of the actions of a few.

If the problem had been properly handled by the authorities earlier, surely it would not have spiralled out of control and into the public eye like it has.

One trainer expressed to me that live-baiting was comparable to drink-driving – even though some , they know it is wrong. If you get caught, bad luck, you deserve to be kicked out of the game.

People know they shouldn't do it and so they deserve to get caught, but it shouldn't have had to reach the stage where they are sprung by anti-racing groups. We have authority bodies for a reason, isn't it time they started taking control of the sport they are supposed to manage? And shouldn't they have been doing it without the pressure from the RSPCA and animal rights groups?

No matter what your view is on live baiting, I think we can all agree it would have been far better for the investigations to be handled ‘in-house' by our authorities rather than having their hands forced and the industry's image severely tarnished by groups whose main objective is to end greyhound racing.

Additionally, in a somewhat confusing turn of events, some tracks in New South Wales have also suspended finish-on trials. So now the perfectly humane and legal way to encourage dogs to chase has been taken away from trainers. Talk about mixed messages.

I love this industry and I want it to thrive, but it is naive to carry on thinking no one is doing the wrong thing. The authority bodies need to realise this and so do participants.

Although there may be tough times ahead, and it is certainly not something that I would ever like to see my cherished sport go through, perhaps this is the ammunition needed to incite the changes the industry so clearly needs to move forward to a bigger and brighter future.

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Gaura
Gaura
9 years ago

There are more hidden cameras exposing even more mungrals who abuse and kill animals, these people should go to jail

angry
angry
9 years ago

If this sport is going to encourage animal abuse, it should be outlawed. Greyhound racing comes second to animal safety. I do not care if the sport is torn to shreds, as long as animals are not. Stop caring about the sport, start caring about animals. The sport is not as important. It’s just betting, humans can do this in other ways.

Steven Jurgeit
Steven Jurgeit
9 years ago

Four Corner’s report was damning to say the least. I hope these people named are not only given life bans from racing circles, or from owning dogs, but also receive the maximum goal sentence, and have their assets seized as proceeds from crime. I have no compassion for cruel, inhumane idiots. Scott Parker’s response could also have been a little less self-preserving, and a lot more in-line with broader community expectation. I hate the footage I saw tonight on ABC, and I hate those responsible.

AriGonzales
AriGonzales
9 years ago

Corrupt to the core. Royal Commission time. Shut the industry down, all over. There is no coming back from this and never will be. Sophisticated undercover cameras with incredibly long battery times will be the final nail in the coffin of this barbaric unforgivable fiasco.

annbeat
annbeat
9 years ago

I’m sorry but this industry has been corrupt for too long. The fact that highly respected key figures in this industry were seen using live baiting can only increase my suspicion about the concern the industry supposedly has for live baiting, animal welfare and the treatment even of its dogs. We all know that the dogs have limited lifespans if found to be no good at racing. The people who have done this if found guilty should jailed for years. These crimes are sickening and barbaric and frankly i feel that anyone who supports this sport is guilty by association.… Read more »

Melanie
Melanie
9 years ago

“but now everyone will be tarred with the same brush as headlines emerge left, right and centre that are essentially accusing the whole industry of being guilty of the actions of a few” Oh no you don’t. Your brutual industry just lost any credibility you ever had to make a statement that live baiting of native possums and other small, non feral animals is not systemic. If https://www.facebook.com/AnimalsAustralia did one thing tonight it was destroy your ability to be seen as credible – ever again. It is systemic – your industry systematically allows small baby animals to be mercilessly, agonisingly… Read more »

Pets not bets
Pets not bets
9 years ago

Make greyhound racing illegal period. It is barbaric and immoral. How you can call forcing an animal to race for your financial gain an “industry” is beyond me. Get a real job, one that does not involve cruelty to other living creatures. Its a shame that Four Corners didn’t vocalise what happens to the dogs that aren’t fast enough, the ones that are drugged, or the ones that are injured on track. Wake up.

Cameron Davidson
Cameron Davidson
9 years ago

Tony Abbott close down these scumbags !!!!!!!!!

Kerrie Stewart
Kerrie Stewart
9 years ago

Are you kidding, the camera doesn’t lie you fucktards. I hope you all rot in hell.

Robyn Price
Robyn Price
9 years ago

Absolutely disgusting. And those guys are laughing as they tie down the animals. You are all sick horrible people and need a kick in the head.

Simona Jovi
Simona Jovi
9 years ago

Are you kidding me??????? It’s not cruel??? I’m watching right now and I want to vomit.
Live rabbits, live piglets, live possums… Disgusting industry! Cowardly way to win.
The biggest names in racing are involved in live baiting. Caught on camera. Caught on film. And this would only be the tip of the iceberg. The entire industry needs shutting down.
How can you deny there isn’t cruelty?!

Eliana Watson
Eliana Watson
9 years ago

What a disgusting industry, you should all be ashamed of yourselves. It’s bad enough what you do to your dogs but actually seeing on camera what you are doing to other defenceless animals with your live baiting is beyond comprehension. You all try and deny what you are doing but finally you have been exposed. I hope you all rot in hell too.

Joe Curry
Joe Curry
9 years ago

Great job to ABC’s ‘4 Corners’ for exposing these barbaric people. Slaughtering innocent (native) animals for a dog to win a race… Shame on you

Milly Moo
Milly Moo
9 years ago

So it’s not a “hotbed of cruelty”, it’s just incredibly, unbelievably cruel in secret pockets where the industry bigwigs are?????????

Vickie Broughton
Vickie Broughton
9 years ago

These people make me sick, everyone should boycott going to and betting on greyhounds! Disgusting filthy people!!!

Joan Hepp
Joan Hepp
9 years ago

This is a sad pathetic archaic form of entertainment that has no place in our society anymore regardless of how many “good” trainers we have. Convert the tracks to something that will improve human endeavour and physical participation, rather than a place where animals are again performing for betting greed. Let greyhounds become someone’s loved pet of choice rather than someone’s rescue of choice.

Tim Powell
Tim Powell
9 years ago

This shit needs to be banned. Bloody disgusting ‘sport’. Stop live baiting!!

Sammy Turner
Sammy Turner
9 years ago

Bring back Sonador

Banjo Bamtrapper
Banjo Bamtrapper
9 years ago

You are so lost, mate. Get back to the Stone Age.

Christopher John Grazules
Christopher John Grazules
9 years ago

Michael what g Bates daughter caught giving a dog adfenermeans only 2 people ever caught song this g Bates got life now his daughter is next

Rupert McGrath
Rupert McGrath
9 years ago

Lol at least i have a cock to play with

Alison Warham
Alison Warham
9 years ago

Its not like that?? Certainly looked like that to anyone watching four corners tonight

Jewie Jam
Jewie Jam
9 years ago

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrupert

Allana Robinson
Allana Robinson
9 years ago

This is the most barbaric cruelty I’ve ever witnessed. Exposing Children to this is extremely negligent to say the least. So many so called ” industry leaders” involved, how can this industry ever be seen as fair & honest. Absolutely disgusting.

Anthony Burton
Anthony Burton
9 years ago

Take winnings off all those filmed , it’s cheating and barbaric , confiscate assets this is the only way to keep the “sport”

Jenni Viles
Jenni Viles
9 years ago

Ok heres a fact for you all to chew the dog dorak dessa has been out for well over 5 weeks due to injury and it certainly wasnt on the lure

Mel Norman
Mel Norman
9 years ago

Your brutual industry just lost any credibility you ever had to make a statement that live baiting of native possums and other small, non feral animals is nto systemic. If Animals Australia did one thing tonight it was destroy your ability to be seen as credible – ever again. It is systemic – your industry systematically allows small baby animals to be mercilessly, agonisingly mauled to death while men and little children watch – and laugh – and laugh and laugh. You’re industry is a blight on animal welfare – not one or two trainers – not bad eggs –… Read more »

Tammy McLeod Ⓥ
Tammy McLeod Ⓥ
9 years ago

BULLSHIT it’s not like that. Greyhound racing should be banned. The dogs killed, the bait animals used, it’s all wrong. Disgusting, barbaric, archaic industry.

Gaspar Rodriguez
Gaspar Rodriguez
9 years ago

you fu@kin monsters! may you all rot in hell for what you do to these poor animals!

Govinda Lupusoru-Lange
Govinda Lupusoru-Lange
9 years ago

Live baiting scumbags! This industry is built on cruelty and must to be stopped completely. It has no place in a civilised country.

Mary Vee
Mary Vee
9 years ago

is that the very best you can come up with ?.. LOL.. oh this one is going to be a piece of p*ss

Sarge Man
Sarge Man
9 years ago

Im disgusted at the methods used in the program aired tonight. Im an owner and , now , NOT a breeder. These high flying trainers need to be kicked out of the sport for life. No more , no less. Disgusted. Absolutely disgusted. Im glad my trainer abided by the rules and Laws of the game , otherwise I would never own another Greyhound again.

Sarge Man
Sarge Man
9 years ago

Thats unfair and a gross slur. These rogues have been caught red handed and should get life bans. PLEASE dont think all Greyhounds are treated this way. They simply arent and it will condemn more Dogs to death rather than re homing.

Sarge Man
Sarge Man
9 years ago

All? The Mums and Dads who do the right thing?? The kids who take ownership of ‘ their’ pets too? Or should we make an example of the minority and the guilty instead?

Sarge Man
Sarge Man
9 years ago

I wont belittle your alias , if you dont mention mine.

Rex Kyte
Rex Kyte
9 years ago

well go play with it

Kerrie Stewart
Kerrie Stewart
9 years ago

It’s not about people doing the right thing Sarge, are you for real or what….. GFY :)

Sarge Man
Sarge Man
9 years ago

Violence to all eh? Settle it all by pool cues at 10 paces? Or should we allow the courts to punish and the Authorities , to do their darndest? I am disgusted by the footage and hope and pray they get life.

Sarge Man
Sarge Man
9 years ago

Love that idea. It would come under the proceeds of crime Act. Brilliant. Turn the properties into Greyhound rehoming centres. Nice Karma.

Carine Allder
Carine Allder
9 years ago

It is like that, there is evidence. This while industry is nothing more than a barbaric money making machine. Hope they all rot in a jail cell.

Peter Bryce
Peter Bryce
9 years ago

A good time for Greyhounds Australasia to replace the Lure with a foam tub of Winning Formula product at all Australian tracks
Outlaw Race Broadcasters from using the term The Bunny is on its way
No more Rabbits (dead.) on trial track arms
BYO Liver or Ox tongue and reward your Greyhound with a peice to consume in the trailer on its way home
There is an alternative to old practices
This is 2015 after all

Sarge Man
Sarge Man
9 years ago

Honesty is found in truth Allana. Truth that this happened. The truth that a minority have been acting illegaly. Ban the abusers for life , I say. Seize their assets and donate the proceeds to charity.

Peter Bryce
Peter Bryce
9 years ago

The Greyhound Industry doesnt need King Hits like this from Media
A good time for a Forum of Industry Participants in a Ideas Summit to present ideas for the future of the Industry

Kerrie Stewart
Kerrie Stewart
9 years ago

Are you serious Sarge, go away, this is a completely different issue. I hope you don’t support this practice…..

Peter Bryce
Peter Bryce
9 years ago

Replace the Orange Buuny with Wiining Formula foam tub
Pedigree Pal foam Can
a Foam Bone
Cmon GRV use your imaginatuon

Kim Baker
Kim Baker
9 years ago

Gee Sarge,
You make it sound like all of those dogs that aren’t fast enough spend their early retirement on the couches of loving homes. How stupid do you really think the public are

Peter Bryce
Peter Bryce
9 years ago

A final message for those who believe this practice is widespread
It is not

Sarge Man
Sarge Man
9 years ago

I take your point , but what these days is pure? Religion? The answer is nothing. BUT , those that are cruel and cheat to prosper must be thrown out and all prizemonies repaid and given to charity. I guess Im saying that whilst we like the World to be black and white , it isnt.

Sarge Man
Sarge Man
9 years ago

I’ll sign that. I own and disagree strongly with live baiting. Even though its already illegal I agree with the principle.

Govinda Lupusoru-Lange
Govinda Lupusoru-Lange
9 years ago

We would be living in a far worse world if the do gooders didn’t exist Justin, and you would have nothing to do.

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