Greyhound racing figures face combined 125 charges over live baiting

FOURTEEN greyhound racing figures will face Frankston Magistrates’ Court in April over allegations of live baiting.

Pixs taken at Wentworth Park Greyhound Racing. Heats for the 2013 Paws of Thunder. Race 2 1st Place- SHEIKHA 4 2nd Place- FREE WILL 6 3rd Place- PROVEN NITRO 1

FOURTEEN greyhound racing figures will face Frankston Magistrates’ Court in April over allegations of live baiting.

Several prominent trainers and former club executives appeared before a Dandenong magistrate for the first time this morning accused of serious criminal offences.

Proceedings against one man are yet to go ahead, with a total of 15 people facing a combined 125 charges for animal cruelty.

Among them was prominent trainer Stuart Mills, who ran the Tooradin training facility that was raided by police and RSPCA investigators over allegations of live baiting in February, 2015.

Gruesome footage of live animals, including possums and piglets, being mauled to death by greyhounds was obtained by animal welfare groups and aired by current affairs program Four Corners last year.

The revelations exposed the outlawed and brutal practice was widespread throughout Victoria and other states.

All of the charges laid by the RSPCA concern live baiting at the Tooradin track between November 2014 and January 2015.

The Tooradin trial track owned and operated by Stuart Mills. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Mr Mills, who appeared unrepresented alongside his father, Anthony, has been banned for life and the registration of the Tooradin track has also been suspended by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board.

Stuart Mills has 35 charges against him while his father has five.

The former manager of the Tooradin trial track, Lawrence Cunningham, has amassed 44 charges against him for blooding dogs with live animals.

The others to face court were decorated trainer and former Cranbourne Racing Club president Neville King, Ken Hodges, Brett Mackie and Doug Wheeler.

Greyhound Racing Victoria’s former integrity and racing operations manager, Bob Smith, has been charged with six counts of using a rabbit to blood the greyhounds in December 2014.

Mr Smith, who was allegedly captured in footage showing live baiting at Tooradin, tried unsuccessfully to have his name suppressed because of ongoing Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal proceedings.

James Reynolds, Dean Dennis, Paul Anderton, Lawrence Cunningham and Eric Sykes didn’t appear.

All men will face a further mention on April 1.

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