Scope of live-baiting scandal in Victoria revealed in final report

UPDATE: A DAMNING report into greyhound live-baiting has called for a new body to inspect the industry to stamp out the barbaric practice.

Greyhound Racing Victoria's Great Chase event is underway. The annual community event allocates a greyhound to different community groups which care for intellectually and physically disabled residents. The heats are taking place at The Meadows in Broadmeadows. Lou and Ron from Wintringham Lodge McLean with winner Yodeller.

A DAMNING report into greyhound live-baiting has called for a new body to to inspect the industry to stamp out the barbaric practice.

The report released in Parliament this morning warned Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) had a clear conflict of interest promoting and regulating the industry and said more must be done to promote animal welfare in Victoria.

It also found no evidence of a cover-up but did learn more than one group of trainers had used live animals to bait greyhounds in the state.

Victorian Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna said he still has no direct evidence as to how regular and widespread the practice of live-baiting has been.

“While I cannot make a finding of fact that live-baiting has been occurring on a systemic basis, I am confident in my view that the practice is unlikely to be confined to one property or one group of participants in Victoria,” Mr Perna said.

Mr Perna said he has no evidence of GRV staff covering up or being complicit in live-baiting or acting corruptly.

“I remain concerned however there are real or perceived conflicts of interest due to GRV staff having personal (family and/or friend) relationships with industry participants they are accountable for ‘policing’,” Mr Perna said.

“This is causing distrust, and is a factor in the reticence of participants to come forward (and report issues such as live-baiting) and is the cause of complaints regarding biased treatment.”

RSPCA Victoria has welcomed the recommendations handed to Parliament by the Office of Racing Integrity Commission (ORIC) and Dr Charles Milne, Chief Veterinary Officer and now looks forward to receiving the details of how and when the recommendations will be delivered.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the industry to lift its game,” said Dr. Liz Walker, CEO, RSPCA Victoria.

“Once implemented, these recommendations mean that the industry will have to be more accountable in its attitude and approach to animal welfare,” she said.

“Most importantly, we are encouraged that our key recommendations have been heard and supported including the establishment of an independent regulator, the development of a comprehensive animal welfare strategy in consultation with animal welfare organisations and, that strategies will be developed to reduce greyhound breeding and improve rehoming.”

The shocking vision reveals the horrors of the illegal practice of live-baiting. Picture: ABC

Mr Perna said until the GRV board addressed the issue, industry confidence in the organisation will be affected.

Mr Perna found while there were some governance controls in place in GRV, in hindsight it is clear they were not effective in regard to live-baiting.

Investigators found more than 100 greyhound breeding farms in Victoria and recommended the facilities and other training centres to be forced to register with local councils in a bid to minimise the risk of future scandals.

It identified a series of loopholes in regulation and called for change to promote animal welfare in the industry.

Some of the 18 new recommendations include:

- Creating a government run Greyhound Inspectorate to audit the industry

- Registering breeding and training facilities

- Giving inspectors better surveillance powers.

- Making greyhound owners require approval to euthanise dogs.

- Allowing Grehound Racing Victoria to conduct autopsies where appropriate.

- Placing sanctions on dogs which have been trained with live-baiting.

The reports — including the interim report in March — were tabled with a total of 68 recommendations.

Mr Perna was not critical of GRV in his final report.

However the report by Victoria’s top vet was more damming toward the industry regulator.

Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna has examined live-bait allegations.

Victoria's top vet, Dr Charles Milne contributed to the report.

Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Charles Milne called for stricter controls on greyhound breeding premises and greater powers to investigate.

He said animal welfare was the responsibility of all Victorians.

“The current system is fragmented and lacks co-ordination and oversight between the different bodies involved in safeguarding the welfare of greyhounds,” he said.

“The review has identified that there are weaknesses in the current regulatory environment that need to be tightened.

“Greyhound Racing Victoria do not have the necessary powers to enforce animal welfare effectively.”

GRV chairman Ray Gunston said he welcomed the report tabled by Minister for Racing Martin Pakula and Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford.

“There was an environment that existed where this shameful act occurred and went undetected,” he said.

“There is no doubt more work needs to be done to ensure we are able to prevent and/or detect such barbaric behaviours.

Mr Gunston said despite only having just seen the reports today, the body “accepts the direction of their recommendations” and will continue to work with all parties to ensure that the necessary and appropriate changes are implemented to secure the future of the industry.

“It is vital that the entire greyhound racing community accept the need for change to ensure this

industry prospers into the future,” he said.

“Greyhound racing provides a livelihood for thousands of Victorians and thousands more enjoy the sport as a recreational pursuit.”

Opposition leader Matthew Guy has said there would be support for any legislative changes.

Greens animal welfare spokesperson Sue Pennicuik said there the government’s response had been “completely inadequate”.

“Greyhound Racing Victoria cannot be left responsible for regulating an industry which it also promotes,” Ms Pennicuik said.

“The Victorian Government’s response to the most recent revelations of live-baiting has been completely inadequate.

“Leaving GRV to self-regulate the toxic mix of animals, gambling and prize purses will result in more cruelty.

“An independent regulatory body is needed to put the welfare of animals first,” Ms Pennicuik added.

Racing Minister Martin Pakula has already taken steps to set up an independent regulatory group to watch over all three racing codes in Victoria.

“There is simply no alternative but for Greyhound Racing to change,” Mr Pakula said.

“If there is any participant in the industry contributing to engage in live-baiting not only are they cruel and stupid but they are putting the industry in jeopardy.

“Anyone in the industry who may even consider the practice have no position here.”

Mr Pakula has appointed racing identity Paul Bitar to consult on setting up the new regulatory body.

Mr Pakula denied any specific issues with other codes but said it was important to include harness racing and through red racing in the move.

Agriculture minister Jaala Pulford flagged legislative changes which could include higher fines for live-baiting and possible jail time.

“We will commence work on changing the laws immediately.

“This government takes animal welfare incredibly seriously.”

There are hopes fines will be increased for luring to $75,000 and two years jail — up from $35,000.

The 10-week review was instigated earlier this year after footage revealed greyhounds being baited with baby pigs, rabbits and possums.

T

Top greyhound trainer Darren McDonald was charged over live-baiting.

he GRV board quit in March following the interim report that was released showing they had failed to uncover horrific practice of live-baiting.

However Mr Perna said then that there was no evidence that the GRV board or senior management knew about the practice or that there was any cover-up at the organisation.

Two months later seven greyhound trainers were charged by stewards over the scandal.

Leading trainer Darren McDonald and industry legend Tony Mills were charged, as well as Christopher Connolly, Dennis Dean, Brett Mackie, Jon Roberts and Eric Sykes.

Stewards laid a total of 33 charges with most of the charges relating to alleged “serious offences” under racing rules.

The men will now face a racing tribunal.

Mr Perna has previously said live-baiting continued to be used as a clandestine method for training greyhounds for racing.

Mr Perna also made new recommendations, including mandatory reporting of offences to Victoria Police.

Mr Perna’s interim investigation report in March said it would be naive to think live-baiting was only occurring at the Tooradin Trial Track, although at that stage there was no direct evidence of it occurring at any other registered facility in the state.

The ABC aired footage filmed by animal liberationists of live animals being used on greyhound lures in Victoria, NSW and Queensland, sparking investigations in each state.

Nine Victorian trainers and handlers have been charged with what are deemed to be serious offences under state and national greyhound racing rules.

One trainer has been found guilty by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board, which reserved its decision on a penalty.

GRV has said stewards continue to investigate the actions of a further eight suspended people.