By BRIDGET SCOTT and CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
Casey Council has vowed to help ensure the “full force of the law” is aimed at perpetrators of greyhound live-baiting.
It has offered its facilities and services to an RSPCA and police investigation and will write to Greyhound Racing Victoria to express its “grave concern” about the practice and request a full report from GRV “as soon as possible”.
The scandal exploded on Monday night last week when the ABC’s Four Corners program aired damning footage of piglets, possums and rabbits being strapped to lures and ripped apart while they are used as live-bait to blood greyhounds.
Ten greyhound trainers implicated in the scandal at Tooradin have had their dogs scratched indefinitely.
The trainers themselves have also been suspended pending the outcome of investigations by Greyhound Racing Victoria and the RSPCA.
Mayor Mick Morland said live baiting was “not tolerated in our city” – which is home to the highest number of registered trainers and greyhounds in Victoria.
“We have offered our services to the RSPCA and police to ensure the full force of the law is realised for anyone involved in this practice.“
The Tooradin Trial Track, which was raided by RSPCA officers, supported by police, on Wednesday last week, has had its registration suspended.
And Racing Minister Martin Pakula told the News that the whole greyhound racing industry may be in jeopardy.
Live-baiting is a criminal offence punishable by a jail term of up to two years and a fine of more than $30,000 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
Those implicated by Four Corners in the scandal include Tooradin Trail Track owner Stuart Mills, well-known Devon Meadows trainer Darren McDonald, fellow Devon Meadows trainer and former GRV official Paul Anderton and Cranbourne Greyhound Racing Club president Neville King, who stood down from his position on Saturday night.
Senior vice-president Greg Carter is the acting president.
The industry’s awards night, which was scheduled for last Friday night, was postponed with Mr McDonald, who is a former trainer of the year, expected to feature prominently.
Cranbourne’s Wednesday night race meet went ahead, although three dogs trained by Paul Anderton were scratched.
The GRV declined to officially name all 10 suspended trainers for legal reasons.
Cranbourne Greyhound Club chief executive officer Tony Mitchell declined to comment to the News and directed all questions to the GRV.
However the club did issued a statement on its website: “Our club does not condone or support actions of individuals involved in any form of animal cruelty, as highlighted in the Four Corners program and that’s our firm stance.“
GRV chairman Peter Caillard expressed disgust at the graphic footage of the live baiting.
“I watched and was sickened.
“The use of live bait in the training of greyhounds is abhorrent and has no place in our sport.
“Any person engaged in live baiting can expect to be disqualified and prosecuted.
“To the best of our knowledge, this disgusting and illegal behaviour is isolated in Victoria to the privately owned training facility at Tooradin.“
On Tuesday Racing Minister Martin Pakula said: “Today is not the day for me to be expressing full confidence in GRV.”
“I’ve been pleased with the way they’ve responded since they have been made aware of the allegations on Friday.
“I think it’s fair to say – and they acknowledge – there’s questions to be answered as to why it wasn’t picked up sooner.”
He said the future of the industry – which comprises about 3000 full-time equivalent jobs and was worth at least $100 million – was being put in “great jeopardy”.
He also said the government and GRV would pitch in $3 million each to boost investigatory resources against live-baiting.
The News attempted to contact all the trainers implicated in the scandal.
Stewart Mills said “no charges have been laid yet“ and that he did not wish to comment further.
Tony Mitchell said Mr King would not comment to the media.
Darren McDonald did not return calls from the News.
The News also called but was unable to reach Paul Anderton.
Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna said those responsible for live baiting could face a 10 year ban from the sport.
