Greyhound live baiting accused try to have allegedly damning footage thrown out of court

FIVE Victorian greyhound trainers accused of live baiting are trying to have allegedly damning footage of them brutalising animals thrown out of court.

FIVE Victorian greyhound trainers accused of live baiting are trying to have allegedly damning footage of them brutalising animals thrown out of court.

Lawrence Cunningham, Dennis Dean, Darren McDonald, and Anthony and Stuart Mills are among 15 people facing a combined total of 125 charges of animal cruelty.

The RSPCA has charged Mr Cunningham with 44 offences, while well-known trainer Stuart Mills — who ran the Tooradin training centre raided last February by police and RSPCA — has 35 charges against him.

Greyhound trainer Anthony Mills outside Frankston Magistrates’ Court during an earlier appearance. Picture: Janine Eastgate

Greyhound trainer Stuart Mills outside Frankston Magistrates’ Court during an earlier appearance. Picture: Janine Eastgate

The Frankston Magistrates’ Court heard this morning the men argued the footage, which was broadcast nationally last year, was inadmissable because it was obtained illegally.

The secret vision showed possums, rabbits and piglets being gored by dogs in an effort by top trainers to improve the performance of their greyhounds.

While only five of the accused men are challenging the use of the footage against them, magistrate Ross Betts heard their co-accused supported the legal bid.

Greyhound racing trainer Darren McDonald at Sandown Park.

A three-day hearing about the use of the vision, in which at least four witnesses will be called, will begin on July 11.

Lawyer Belinda Franjic, acting for Stuart and Anthony Mills, said a resolution in the case would hinge on whether the video evidence was allowed.

She said there was a strong case against some of the accused men if the footage was ruled admissible.

Others charged include decorated trainer and former Cranbourne Racing Club president Neville King, Ken Hodges, Brett Mackie and Doug Wheeler.

Most of the men did not appear in court yesterday, but all were represented.

The balance of the matters will be adjourned off until August 24.

Barrister Ronald Gipp, acting for the RSPCA, said they wouldn’t undergo 14 separate hearings but some of the accused men would be lumped together.