Owner and trainer banned for two years over euthanased greyhound

Stewards' wrap

OWNER Tanya Kemp and trainer Benjamin Talbot have each been issued two year disqualifications from the following the conclusion of an investigation into the the circumstances of the euthanasia of ‘Better Cruise' at the on 5 January 2018.

Kemp (formerly Tanya Skarratt) and Talbot allegedly asked the acting veterinarian Dr Mark Sayer to enthanise Better Cruise following the dog's disqualification from racing after breaching rule 69A as pertains to “pursing the with due commitment”.

Better Cruise was issued a 28 day ban from racing at Wagga, with a satisfactory trial also needed before he was cleared to race again competitively.

Due to circumstances surrounding both owner and trainer's inability or unwillingness to house Better Cruise while a suspension was served, the pair asked Dr Sayer if he could put down the greyhound.

After the completion of the last race, Mr Talbot removed the greyhound from the kennels and took the greyhound to the car park as prearranged with Dr Sayer.

Following a conversation with Dr Sayer, Mr Talbot placed the Greyhound in the rear of Mr Talbot's four wheel drive motor vehicle, located in the carpark.

Dr Sayer euthanised the greyhound in the rear of Mr Talbot's motor vehicle using 12 millilitres of given by intravenous injection.

This action directly contravenes Section 21 of the Greyhound Racing Prohibition Act 2016 which states that an owner of a registered greyhound cannot, unless with the written consent of Greyhound “destroy the greyhound or cause it to be destroyed.”

With the exception of one charge against Dr Sayer for breach of Rule 86(ag), the Inquiry Panel was satisfied that Ms Kemp, Mr Talbot and Dr Sayer had breached the as charged.

Dr Sayer escaped a disqualification but is warned off “doing a thing which, in the opinion of the , is improper” and anything that can damage the image of greyhound racing.

All three parties have been informed on their right to lodge an appeal.

The full list of charges can be found below.

in relation to Ms Kemp:

  • two years disqualification for failing to comply with the for Keeping of Greyhounds in Training and/or the Supplement to Codes of Practice – Greyhound Euthanasia (Rule 86(ag));
  • four years disqualification for doing a thing which, in the opinion of the Stewards, is improper (Rule 86(o));
  • four years disqualification for committing acts and/or engaging in conduct that was detrimental or prejudicial to the interest, welfare, image or promotion of greyhound racing (Rule 86(q));

(penalties to be served concurrently)

in relation to Mr Talbot:

  • two years disqualification for doing a thing which, in the opinion of the Stewards, is improper (Rule 86(o);
  • two years disqualification for committing acts and/or engaging in conduct that was detrimental or prejudicial to the interest, welfare, image or promotion of greyhound racing (Rule 86(q));
  • two years disqualification for knowingly aiding and/or abetting Ms Kemp to commit a breach of the Rules (Rule 86(n));
  • (penalties to be served concurrently)

    in relation to Dr Sayer:

  • two years warned off for doing a thing which, in the opinion of the Stewards, is improper (Rule 86(o)); and
  • two years warned off for committing acts and/or engaging in conduct that was detrimental or prejudicial to the interest, welfare, image or promotion of greyhound racing (Rule 86(q))
  • (penalties to be served concurrently)

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