By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A STATE-COMMISSIONED report has concluded “clandestine” live baiting of greyhounds was “well known” and unlikely to have been confined to the Tooradin Trial Track.
On 11 June, the State Government tabled a report by Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna in addition to a chief veterinary officer report on the practice.
The investigations were launched after ABC TV aired covert footage in February of live possums and rabbits twitching on lures and mauled by greyhounds at the trial track.
In accepting the 68 recommendations in the two reports, the government announced stiffer fines and inspection powers as part of a crackdown on the “barbaric” practice.
It also announced the introduction of a new offence of being present at a place where live baiting is occurring.
Other initiatives include inspectors having greater powers to enter training tracks and the outlawing of certain animals at greyhound venues.
Mr Perna wrote he had “overwhelming circumstantial evidence” but no direct evidence of how regular and widespread live-baiting was.
“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.”
He found staff and the former board of Greyhound Racing Victoria knew of the “largely historical” practice, but that didn’t extend to a “belief or understanding” that the practice was an “ongoing concern”.
Mr Perna stated Tooradin Trial Tack had been inspected by a steward about 11 times between 2009-’14, and was inspected five times by a welfare officer from 2014-February 2015.
There was no evidence to substantiate allegations of GRV staff corruption such as tip offs, leaks or warnings to live-baiting perpetrators.
Racing Minister Martin Pakula last week announced an independent integrity regime for all three codes.
It will be developed by former British Horseracing Authority chief executive Paul Bittar.
“A practice as barbaric as live baiting has no place in Victoria’s greyhound racing industry – full stop,” Mr Pakula said.
Seven trainers – Christopher Connolly, Dennis Dean, Brett Mackie, Darren McDonald, Anthony Mills, Jon Roberts and Eric Sykes – linked to Tooradin were suspended and charged by Greyhound Racing Victoria.
The 40-acre Tooradin Trial Track has been shut down since February, and put on the market by its owner and suspended greyhound trainer Stuart Mills for $945,000.
Greyhound Racing Victoria gave in-principle support for the “direction of their recommendations”.
“There was an environment that existed where this shameful act occurred and went undetected,” chairman Ray Gunston said.
“There is no doubt more work needs to be done to ensure we are able to prevent and/or detect such barbaric behaviours.”
