Queensland greyhound owner and trainer Jason Haim disqualified for 15 months over animal welfare issues
A licensed greyhound owner and trainer with up to 26 greyhounds in his care, including seven puppies, has been banned from racing for 15 months for breaching animal welfare rules and failing to follow stewards' orders.
Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) stewards conducted a kennel inspection at Jason Haim's property on July 1 2023, where he was directed to rectify several animal welfare concerns.
At a follow-up kennel inspection on July 10 2023, stewards weren't satisfied that Mr Haim had complied with their direction and charged him with failing to provide his greyhounds with sufficient food, drink and protective apparel.
Mr Haim was also issued with three charges for failing to provide adequately sized kennels kept in a clean and sanitary condition, and one charge for failing to comply with a stewards' order.
In addition, Mr Haim was charged for failing to provide for the health, welfare or safety of his greyhounds.
At the initial kennel inspection on July 1 2023, Stewards observed four greyhounds housed in an unregister and dilapidated trailer, seven puppies to be without any water, three greyhounds to have access to water that was unhygienic and not suitable for drinking, multiple greyhounds with inadequate bedding and/or protective apparel at a time where overnight temperatures of 4.5 degrees were recorded, and unreasonable accumulation of faeces and urine in and around the greyhound enclosures.
A Stewards direction was issued to Mr Haim in relation to these non-compliance issues.
A further kennel inspection was conducted by Stewards on July 10 2023, in which the Stewards observed an unreasonable accumulation of faeces and urine in both the race kennels and outdoor yard that was used to house seven puppies.
Stewards opened an inquiry into the matter and ordered that the greyhounds owned and/or trained by Mr Haim were not permitted to be nominated for, or compete in any event, until the completion of the inquiry.
On Thursday July 20 2023, Stewards of the QRIC today concluded an inquiry in respect to evidence obtained from multiple kennel inspections undertaken by the Stewards at the registered kennel address of licensed trainer and owner, Mr Jason Haim, on 1 July 2023 and 10 July 2023.
Mr Haim pleaded not guilty to all charges and was issued with six penalties amounting to a total disqualification period of 15 months.
In determining penalty, Stewards considered that Mr Haim pled not guilty to all charges, Mr Haim's time in the greyhound racing industry as a trainer being approximately three years, and Mr Haim's personal circumstances, noting that Mr Haim does not rely solely on income earned from the greyhound industry; and Mr Haim's historical unsatisfactory kennel inspections dating back to November 2021, February 2022, March 2022 and July 2023, in which similar breaches were identified and lesser enforcement options were exhausted, including education and Stewards directions.
This demonstrated to QRIC that Mr Haim has shown a lack of willingness to comply with his obligations as a licenced trainer within the
greyhound industry.
QRIC Stewards further took in took account the need for both specific deterrents for Mr Haim and general deterrents to the wider industry that holding a licence within the greyhound racing industry is a privilege, not a right, and therefore compliance with the Greyhounds Australasia Rules is a core requirement of participating in the industry, and the need to maintain the integrity of greyhound racing by imposing a penalty that sends a clear and unequivocal message to ensure that Mr Haim, and all other participants, understand that the welfare of the animals is of the highest priority.
Accordingly, QRIC Stewards issued the following penalties:
- Charge 1 – Six (6) month disqualification
- Charge 2 – Six (6) month disqualification served concurrently with Charge 1
- Charge 3 – Six (6) month disqualification served concurrently with Charge 1
- Charge 4 – Nine (9) month disqualification which is to be served cumulatively on the disqualification imposed in Charge 1
- Charge 5 – Three (3) month suspension served concurrently with Charge 4
- Charge 6 – Nine (9) month disqualification served concurrently with Charge 4.
With the total period of disqualification being fifteen (15) months backdated to 10 July 2023, being the date Mr Haim's licence and registration was suspended by QRIC Stewards.
Stewards permitted Mr Haim fourteen days from midnight July 20 2023 to transfer all greyhounds from his care and custody, with Stewards permission being required for each transfer.
Mr Haim was advised of his right to appeal.
All dogs have been removed from Mr Haim's care and transferred to locations approved by the stewards.