TasRacing CEO throws support behind Interim GAP Manager Susan Gittus
TasRacing CEO Andrew Jenkins has thrown his support behind the appointment of former greyhound trainer Susan Gittus as Interim Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) Manager.
The appointment of Gittus as Interim Manager while GAP Manager Lianne Salerno was on leave, came under fire from former Tasmanian Greens Leader Cassy O'Connor and Independent MHA for Clark, Kristie Johnston.
Critics, including former Greens Leader Cassy O'Connor and Independent Member Kristie Johnston, strongly oppose Gittus' reappointment, questioning the decision to put someone with a prior doping offence in charge of the program.
Greens leader and anti-racing activist Cassie O'Connor asked “Why TasRacing believe a former trainer, who was suspended from racing for doping offences and previously stood down from managing the GAP facility, is the right person to take this role?”
O'Connor went on to say that “With the state's racing body pushing to change the way GAP operates – including reviewing their ‘no kill' policy – this appointment is of real concern.”
Independent Member for Clark, Kristie Johnston jumped on the bandwagon, suggesting that Gittus appointment “was grossly inappropriate.”
Gittus was removed from the role of GAP Manager in 2020 after a positive swab to Dehydronorketamine; a metabolite of Ketamine which is a widely used veterinary anaesthetic.
Gittus said the positive swab was most likely caused by feed contamination despite pleading guilty to the presentation charges.
TasRacing CEO Jenkins lent support to the claims saying “Ms Susan Gittus pleaded guilty to a presentation charge in 2020, not administration, which was clearly noted in the Stewards' report.
“This is an important distinction as presentation does not imply wilful administration of a banned substance.
“This was evidenced in the Stewards Inquiry that did not reach any findings that Ms Gittus wilfully administered a banned substance, but took into account the possibility that the positive sample was due to a contamination in meat supplies.”
But O'Connor said that there is no definitive evidence to support Gittus' claim of accidentally feeding her dog contaminated meat.
“The fact of the matter is, Mrs Gittus pleaded guilty to the charge, was found guilty, and was subsequently suspended,” she said.
Jenkins defended Gittus' appointment, citing her qualifications and experience and reassured that she would uphold high care standards for the greyhounds.
“Every greyhound at GAP will, as has always been the case, be given every opportunity and appropriate time to become ready for re-homing.”
“There is no new or changed approach toward euthanasia. It is untrue there is an increased propensity toward euthanasia at GAP.”
“In fact, from 1 July the TasRacing Director of Racing is included as an additional and final approver of euthanasia for any GAP greyhounds – unlike greyhounds in domestic environments.”
“It is also untrue that Ms Gittus was heavily-involved in preparing the draft GAP policy paper. The paper was drafted by Tasracing and remains in draft.”
“Ms Gittus has served the relevant penalty for an isolated charge and, as a highly-qualified and experienced greyhound professional is wholly-endorsed by Tasracing as the Interim GAP Manager.”
Less than two weeks after making the claims against TasRacing and Susan Gittus, Greens leader Cassy O'Connor stood down as leader of the Tasmanian Greens political party citing the “need (for) a break, to clear some space on my brain's hard drive, and to regenerate”.