Greyhound trainer Tony Rasmussen banned for life, fined $220,000 for mistreating greyhounds

SA greyhound trainer Tony Rasmussen has been handed a life ban and record fine for mistreating greyhounds.

Disgraced trainer Tony Rasmussen. Picture: Mount Gambier Greyhounds

Former premiership-winning South Australian greyhound trainer Tony Rasmussen has been banned for life and fined a record $220,000 after being found guilty of a string of welfare and integrity charges.

Rasmussen and his wife Lisa were suspended in July last year after horrific surveillance footage surfaced of the pair mistreating greyhounds at their now de-registered Gifford Hill property.

Following an exhaustive process, the Integrity Hearings Panel (IHP) on Monday announced that Rasmussen had been found guilty of all 11 charges leveled against him, eight of those in relation to the mistreatment of greyhounds.

Rasmussen pleaded not guilty to all 11 charges.

The life ban and record $220,000 in fines, $20,000 for each offence, is the most significant penalty delivered in South Australian greyhound racing history.

In relation to Lisa Rasmussen, the IHP found her guilty also, handing down a disqualification penalty of five years and three months, with fines totalling $20,000 for the three charges.

Greyhound Racing South Australia chair Grantley Stevens welcomed the decision.

“We welcome the decisions and strong penalties handed down by the independent Integrity Hearings Panel,” Stevens said.

“This was a clear failure to uphold the standards and integrity we expect in our sport and there is no place for such appalling behavior.”

At the time of the shocking footage coming to light, the Rasmussens were enjoying a successful run with their team, led by Group 1 hero Victa Damian which had won the National Derby in Sydney only a few months earlier.

The Rasmussens have seven days to appeal the decision.

Originally published as Greyhound trainer Tony Rasmussen banned for life, fined $220,000 for mistreating greyhounds