Leading trainer disgusted at ABC footage

A NATION is disgusted with the greyhound racing industry following Monday night's investigative Four Corners report into , which left many participants equally as shocked and saddened.

Vision from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland has emerged of trainers allowing dogs to maul rabbits, pigs and native possums while they are still alive.

One leading trainer agreed to speak with Australian Racing Greyhound to convey their horror at the appalling revelations. This person has chosen to remain anonymous due to their involvement in the greyhound racing industry and how their may position them within the sport during this difficult time.

“I think it is devastating for the industry,” they said. “We have to rise off the canvas now and show that our sport isn't just all about that and there is people in this industry that care about their dogs and don't sort of thing.”

The trainer went on to explain the investigation did not offer a clear portrayal of the entire industry, with those involved representing just a fraction of the greyhound racing fraternity.

“It is not like we all , it put it out there like we are all doing the same thing, but I don't think that is right.

“It just paints us all with the same brush, that we are all bad. Some of those blokes in Queensland, the clothes they were wearing, what they were doing, laughing around and joking about it – it was mountain men stuff.

“The worst part is they were enjoying it and now it makes us all look the same. It just made us look horrendous and I don't know if I really want to be a part of all this because you cannot defend it – what could you say after what we have seen?

“We are all looked upon as bad, evil scum people. When I meet new people these days, I am embarrassed to tell them what I do and that is not a good thing because I have been in this industry for nearly my whole life.”

The trainer who spoke with us is one of the most respected in Australia and is against the practice of live-baiting. Yet, they are a -winning conditioner, proving there are other ways to train a greyhound to chase successfully.

“It is going to come across in this [Four Corners] story that it is the only way to train a greyhound, but that to me is totally false. Dogs chase normally anyway, they will chase a piece of paper, it's what they do. It is not like it [live baiting] is the only way to do it,” they said.

“A lot of dogs are just good chasers and don't need any encouragement, but we can give them arm trials at any of the tracks. That consists of a squeaker or a teaser to make a noise, which you can put on the arm legally, the dog will bite on and they get their reward that way.

“This is not the end of greyhound racing because there are other avenues to make a dog chase.”

The trainer mentioned harsh penalties needed to be enforced to ensure these types of practices are eradicated from the sport.

“There is no good to come out of it at all – it has come out as bad as it could have. I know some of these guys, but I certainly don't condone what they have done.

“You start to question with all the things that have happened in the sport recently, are the authorities doing as much as they should be doing?

“[The authorities] need to come down heavily on these people, forget about who they are, and not let their partners train dogs – because then it is just back to business as usual.”

Our trainer was left speechless at the vision, which was enough to make them start to think about their position within the industry.

“… I made the call the other day that maybe we should turn our property into a pet place and forget the greyhounds because the industry has gone to the point where I don't think anyone trusts it.

“This sort of thing doesn't go down well with anybody and if this is what makes you a top trainer then who wants to be one? I would rather go to the nth degree to make sure the dog is 100 per cent, to make sure every bit of feed is the best kind of feed I can possibly feed them.

“We do all those little things [to look after our dogs] and then you see the vision like that and it makes you wonder what you are even doing.”

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Jewie Jam
Jewie Jam
9 years ago

Wonder what court it will be at ?? I’m gonna come an watch , should be entaining viewing

Jeremy Heys
Jeremy Heys
9 years ago

Got the evidence here.
Feeding him to great white sharks.
You really are a sick piece of work greggy.
Up there with those who are live baiting.

Jewie Jam
Jewie Jam
9 years ago

Greg please defend yourself ? If you have said this butral comment , it doesn’t look good

Jewie Jam
Jewie Jam
9 years ago

Onya loz

Loz Kearns
Loz Kearns
9 years ago

Thanks mate. Loved your worm call. Never thought of it that way

Jewie Jam
Jewie Jam
9 years ago

Good night greg

Roman Flachs
Roman Flachs
9 years ago

What gets me is most of you knew this was going on, and don’t say you didn’t, word gets around!!!!! Why wasn’t anything done about this earlier…

Loz Kearns
Loz Kearns
9 years ago

Most of us knew what, Roman? Who is “mosy of you” anyway that you refer to? Goodness me, drop the attitude when you speak to me and don’t point your finger my way because MOST OF YOU (general public) know half stories and act like its your God given right to say something now. Don’t pigeon hole people when matters can be a given. I bet you’ve said things such as all pro-wrestlers are on steroids or sure, you walked into a door to get that black eye or young kids driving Ferraris has to be drug money. Something’s in… Read more »

Jewie Jam
Jewie Jam
9 years ago

Where has Greg gone ??

Jewie Jam
Jewie Jam
9 years ago

Loz is on fire

Loz Kearns
Loz Kearns
9 years ago

Have been for years mate
Don’t cop shit from uneducated people about my beloved Greys.
Happy to educate where needed but if they attack first, I won’t back down

Jeremy Heys
Jeremy Heys
9 years ago

Greggy?
Y u do dis?U0001f61e

Samantha Collins
Samantha Collins
9 years ago

As much as we all want to support this industry we love, a story with quotes from a person with no name holds about as much water as a tea strainer. You guys used to be better than that. Find someone who will put their name to it or it isn’t worth publishing.

Louise May
Louise May
9 years ago

Support your greyhound racing so long as it is done completely fairly in an appropriate and legal manner. Support your greyhound adoption agencies as much as you can, they certainly need it. But don’t shy away from the reality of it just because it’s not all sunshine and happiness like we would all like it to be.

DavidOKeefe
DavidOKeefe
9 years ago

@pete hahaha dealing heroine

Cynical Citizen
Cynical Citizen
9 years ago

I can understand that the many people involved in Greyhound racing who are emphatically opposed to live baiting would be upset that the 4 Corners feature could convey to those not involved in the sport that live baiting is common place for many greyhound racers. I must say though I am here as someone with only a ittle involvement in greyhound racing and many of you folk do reinforce a lot of the negative portrayals from 4 Corners. Critical reponse to their documentary is fine but I feel most of you gloss over the horrors depicted and struggle to acknowledge… Read more »

Cynical Citizen
Cynical Citizen
9 years ago

You attitude is consistent with the guys caught live baiting. You don’t do greyhound racing any favours at the moment with comments like that

Cynical Citizen
Cynical Citizen
9 years ago

As CEO of Greyhound Racing Victoria Adam Wallish said in a letter: “You will be emotional, you might be angry. Don’t be angry at those that attack us, regardless of their position. Be angry at those within the sport that are doing the wrong thing and undermining the values for which we stand.” I think you & many others in here will do well to heed this, greyhound racing really needs support right now, your responses seem to reinforce an attitude of minimising the wrongs that have occurred. Read more: https://australianracinggreyhound.com/news/fallout-spreads-as-industry-braces-for-four-corners-probe/61311/#ixzz3Tq3xQDlE https://australianracinggreyhound.com/news/fallout-spreads-as-industry-braces-for-four-corners-probe/61311/#ixzz3Tq3xQDlE Australian Racing Greyhound – Australia’s #1 greyhound racing… Read more »

LeahDoner
LeahDoner
9 years ago

Sort of puts paid to the claims that live biting isn’t a normal practice in your “industry”.

DawnLee1
DawnLee1
9 years ago

No Leah, It is not a normal practise in the greyhound industry. The majority of greyhound owners and trainers have greyhounds because we love them and they are part of the family. As long as they enjoy themselves and don’t get hurt, then I am happy. They don’t need to be trained in this fashion. It is barbaric, and I surely hope the powers that be come down hard on them . They are the animals, not the dogs.

Todman
Todman
9 years ago

Leahdoner, I can assure you it is not normal practice with my dogs and many more would agree, even though the methods used by the camera people is probably worthy of criminal charges as well, I condemn those greyhound people involved

pete
pete
9 years ago

amazing how many gutless people there are in this industry that are too scared to give their real name, what a joke, I mean your training greyhounds for Christ sakes, not dealing heroine here, why not be a man and give your real name when you wanna make a comment not just im a big time trainer, I guess its like that everywhere if there was a scandal in horse racing everyone would remain anonymous as well, same goes for the tobacco industry or mining or whatever, people in the know wanna comment to the media but are too scared… Read more »

mix
mix
9 years ago

Trainers would live bait their own kids to get an advantage

greg
greg
9 years ago

pete,

because he may identify himself as well known to do same. it is a small world the dog world, and everyone knows everyone….well nearly.

so yes, who are you and see if you are credible? up to you,otherwise a propaganda statement.

Mum22
Mum22
9 years ago

@mix That is a disgusting comment!

LeahDoner
LeahDoner
9 years ago

Todman It says a lot that you want to punish the people who exposed these vile criminals.

badpress
badpress
9 years ago

This article is close to meaningless without the trainer’s name. The 4 corners report clearly showed that some trainers were happy with the “Do as I say and not as I do” philosophy.

I think many people within our industry are genuine, and as such most of us have nothing to hide!!

Greg Stenner
Greg Stenner
9 years ago

Nicely put story!

Loz Kearns
Loz Kearns
9 years ago

So glad they chose to remain anonomous because stupid programmes like Four Corners would go out of their way to say he’s a liar.As a greyhound lover of the breed and sport, I was disgusted at that programme. Yeah yeah good on em getting every bad guy out there but did they educate the public there’s more than one way to skin a cat? Excuse pun. No they didn’tThey did nothing but highlight Greys as “maulers”Praised the RSPCA who put down thousands every year and never mentioned the rehabilitation and re homing of retired racersWhat about they look at stopping… Read more »

Matt Hurst
Matt Hurst
9 years ago

If you choose to remain anonymous, this story has no basis and in this readers opinion, Is a waste of time. Maybe u can join the other “journalist” at dolly or Cosmo magazine. Do You think you are doing the sport any favours to keep airing this? Covering this everyday is as damaging to the sport as the cruel acts themselves.

Andrew Roy
Andrew Roy
9 years ago

Good story… I would have liked to see the trainer/s give permission to put their name to it as it would be a great way to show they have nothing to hide, especially if they are a public trainer then they could gain trust from owners to send pups/dogs to them for true education of the racing game. As for now, it’s only a guessing game who was quoted in this story which is a shame. Hoping its not happening in SA but seems that the eastern states need a mass clean out from CEO down…. Just my opinion

Shannon Boyd
Shannon Boyd
9 years ago

That’s right . Who is this so called leading trainer.

Jewie Jam
Jewie Jam
9 years ago

We use live bait (worms) whilst we fish don’t we Jeremy , don’t see anyone cracking up a fuss over that

Linda MB
Linda MB
9 years ago

Comments (and likes) like this just demonstrate why this industry stinks.

Loz Kearns
Loz Kearns
9 years ago

Explain yourself? You’re saying I stink so floor is yours

Jeremy Heys
Jeremy Heys
9 years ago

Correct, and keep the fish alive with a hook wedged in their mouth.\U0001f3a3

Jeremy Heys
Jeremy Heys
9 years ago

Spot on Loz

Dean Allsop
Dean Allsop
9 years ago

I agree Loz, they want to ban greyhound racing without even thinking of the repercussions. I really dont think the actions of 2 dozen cowboy idiots and there barbaric training techniques warrants the culling and execution of 300,000 greyhounds. Because thats exactly what will happen if racing is banned . So much for do gooder animal activists causing the death of all those defenceless dogs. Then i wonder how they will feel.

Peter Bryce
Peter Bryce
9 years ago

90% Plus pf Trainers trialing their Greyhounds are.appalled at what they saw.on 4 CornersDid you see a gathering of trainers at those CLOSED GATE SESSIONSNo only the trainer and a kennel assistant and the Trial track operator and assistantIt is evident the Authorities were niave to TRUST all trial track operators without dawn visitsAfter all the Greyhound Trainers have had unannounced Kennel visits The officialdom need to put their hands up high and show some signs of recognition of underperformance and responsibility .Clean up the Sport in short time or suffer long term

Loz Kearns
Loz Kearns
9 years ago

Thank you fellas, kudos to your comments- and bang on! What pee’d me off more than anything is that Animals Australia got a tip off about it. I always thought the regulated the regulators. Ahhhhh but if Animals Australia are such (bra-burning) heroes, they should’ve covered the futures of the Greys. The dogs are just as innocent as the live bait! Bad apples are in every sport, a lot in Greyhound racing, so flush em out, yet the public hold very little regard for retired racers (or those that never make the track). If the public did hold regard, households… Read more »

Loz Kearns
Loz Kearns
9 years ago

And if Linda would like to speak now or forever hold her peace, she can add to how much I “stink” and educate herself before she puts her Keyboard Warrior Attire on because not only do I come from a horse racing family, I happen to dedicate my life to the rescue of abandoned greyhounds & am their voice.So if she thinks I’m some evil stinking putrid human for saying the problems deeper than Babe & the Easter Bunny on a lure, then so be it.Play with fire you get burnt.

Randell Graham
Randell Graham
9 years ago

You can’t assume every trainer uses live bait. Im 27 yrs old and have been raised in this industry. From birth to retirement, ive been around and have experienced every stage. NEVER have I EVER seen anything like that. To say we all do it or that its even common, is just a reckless and narrow minded assumption. #RacingPROud #GrahamKennel

Aaron Shearman
Aaron Shearman
9 years ago

Ppl also have pet snakes and feed them live mice and other insects just to watch them kill

Loz Kearns
Loz Kearns
9 years ago

Love it! Wish it could be Mark ;)

Pattricia Sullivan
Pattricia Sullivan
9 years ago

Everyone i have questioned about what their plan is for all the dogs when they get their wish of Banning Greyhound racing can never even give me an answer or suggestion let alone put their hand up to adopt a grey like i have, Seems you really can’t fix stupid

Nadia Generoso
Nadia Generoso
9 years ago

Four corners exposed the truth. The sport is disgraceful. Selfish and money hungry.

Nadia Generoso
Nadia Generoso
9 years ago

So you are defending the cruelty? You are a disgrace. The torture those animals endured was horrific.

Jewie Jam
Jewie Jam
9 years ago

There verumn, Nadia , you have to die some way

Jodi Green
Jodi Green
9 years ago

Lol Loz… I read and liked your comment, then read who posted it!!!! Lol… Another spot on point! \U0001f60a

Loz Kearns
Loz Kearns
9 years ago

Pattricia, there’s simply too many if the sport goes belly up. No foster parent or rescuer could support that influx, shelters are over run now as it is ;( But well done on saving a life, Greys have more brains than most people.Nadia- they exposed something that been going on for years & everyone always heard whispers. In my opinion Four Corners dropped the ball and sold half a story in a full time slot. One hour of poor possum, not one minute of poor greyhound