Unlicensed rehomer warned off for two years by Greyhound Racing Victoria
Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) has just released the details of a steward's inquiry from November 3, where it was found an unlicensed person was receiving cash to rehome greyhounds but was instead keeping them in poor conditions.
As a result of the inquiry, Alice Barrett, a resident of Toolern Vale, has been warned off for two years by GRV.
Although not a registered participant, with GRV she has been involved in a business where she accepts greyhounds from registered participants and claims to find them new homes.
The steward's inquiry discovered that Barrett had been charging a fee for this service.
Shane O'Connell, the General Manager of the Greyhound Racing Integrity Unit (GRIU) stated that Ms. Barrett was recently investigated and found guilty of engaging in activities that were detrimental to the interests, welfare, image, control, and promotion of greyhound racing.
During the investigation, it was observed that the greyhounds under Barrett's care were in poor condition.
They were underweight and living in kennels that did not meet compliance standards.
Specifically, the steward's inquiry report said Ms Barrett was “keeping thirteen (13) greyhounds in poor condition, being underweight and living in non-compliant housing is conduct that is detrimental or prejudicial to the interest, welfare, image, control or promotion of greyhound racing.”
The RSPCA is also conducting an inquiry into the condition of the greyhounds under her care.
As a result of these findings, Ms.Barrett has surrendered a number of greyhounds to GRV.
GRV have warned Victorian greyhound participants that continuing to use Ms. Barrett's services would be a punishable offense.
GRV remind participants that associating with disqualified or warned off individuals for purposes related to greyhound racing constitutes an offense.
GRV GRIU General Manager Shane O'Connell added “GRV strongly advises participants not to place greyhounds in the care of Ms Barrett, given this may pose a risk to the health and wellbeing of the greyhounds and such conduct may breach the rules of racing and subject the participant to an inquiry and potential penalty.”