Trainer investigated for using bloodied fox tail to excite greyhounds
A greyhound trainer is under investigation for using a fox tail to bait a dog in training but racing and animal welfare authorities say there will be no prosecution.
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A greyhound trainer is being investigated for using a bloodied fox tail to excite dogs in training.
Greyhound Racing SA has confirmed a probe into the banned practice in response to questions by a reader of The Advertiser.
But the matter will not be the subject of a court prosecution because authorities are satisfied the tail in question was cut from the carcass of a road-killed animal.
Greyhound Racing SA could not comment further because the investigation is ongoing.
But RSPCA media manager Carolyn Jones said the organisation had been informed of the disciplinary action — an alleged breach of industry training rules by using a dead animal or a body part.
“We understand it was an elderly trainer and that the fox tail has come from roadkill, and that is not of interest to us in terms of animal welfare,’’ she said.
More militant animal welfare groups are opposed to the use of dead animals, or parts of dead animals to bait greyhounds, and have successfully lobbied for the practice to be made illegal in three states.
In SA only processed sheep skins are allowed, because GRSA rules state: “Participants (trainers) cannot use any live animal, carcass or any part of an animal in association with any activity involved in the training of greyhounds”.
Live baiting is banned throughout Australia and has been the subject of a series of scandals since footage from interstate of a live possum being used as bait was aired by the ABC in 2015.
The South Australian industry has enjoyed a good reputation despite interstate scandals then and since.
An animal lover who found out about the South Australian fox baiting investigation contacted The Advertiser to complain that it was being kept secret.
Baiting using live animals or their body parts was in the past an effective method of training because dogs will run faster with the promise of a meal at the end of the chase.
Ms Jones said the Greyhound Racing SA investigation would not proceed to a prosecution no matter what the outcome, because there had been no illegality and no cruelty.
“This is not an issue for us, as there is no breach of the Animal Cruelty Act,’’ she said.
“GRSA are very good with telling us about anything that has come up but there was no animal welfare issue here.
“They could not be accused of a cover up and GRSA has done its best to make sure live baiting does not happen here and they are as keen on that was we are.
“We are not going to say it has never happened here.”
Animals Australia holds the position that because there is no way of determining how the animals were killed, even baiting using dead animals should be outlawed.
An Environment Department spokeswoman said it was also not concerned by the use of the dead fox’s tail under animal welfare laws.
“The intention of the legislation is to prohibit the use of live animals for baiting and includes carcasses to encompass animals that have been killed through this activity,’’ she said.
“It does not include animal products, such as leather toys or processed meat.
“Until details of the alleged breach are determined, DEW is not able to comment further.”
miles.kemp@news.com.au