Fallout spreads as industry braces for Four Corners probe

THE shockwaves in the industry from the co-ordinated -police raids targeting alleged continue to spread and the raids may be about to net their biggest name yet.

While the ruling body down south, Greyhound , has stood down 10 participants, it has refused to name them or the offences with which they are to be charged.

Most are believed to have been stood down because of alleged activities at the Tooradin Trial Track, an establishment run by which has had its registration suspended.

Tooradin Trial Track is a family-run operation, with the Mills name synonymous with greyhound racing in Victoria. Stuart Mills' father Tony was the 2013 winner of the Medal, the highest award for excellence within the Victorian greyhound industry.

Stuart Mills refused to comment on the allegations on Sunday, neither confirming nor denying he was one of those stood down.

CEO of Greyhound Racing Victoria said in a letter addressed to participants at the weekend that the organisation had no tolerance for people who chose to engage in live-baiting activities.

“It is extremely disappointing that there are still people in this sport that appear to partake in this practice or are complicit in its continuation,” he said.

“GRV has been very clear that community standards regarding the treatment of animals have changed significantly over the years and it is disappointing that some in this sport have not moved with the times.”

In other developments:

  • A leading Victorian trainer is believed to have been stood down, though it is not yet known what any possible charges relate to.
  • has set up a $1 million taskforce to be chaired by Racing Integrity Commissioner Jim O'Sullivan to combat live baiting and other issues. It has also announced a $1 million boost to its Program budget.
  • In NSW, GRNSW is expected to make an announcement in the next few days in regards to the establishment of an independent taskforce. The aim will be to investigate training methods used within the state and to control and supervise registered trial tracks, breaking-in centres and training facilities.

    The taskforce is also set to identify whether GRNSW and all relevant agencies have the power to properly investigate claims of animal welfare breaches and cruelty themselves and to ensure GRNSW is fulfilling its duties in regards to welfare and integrity.

    The live-baiting furore comes as the ABC's Four Corners is to on Monday night broadcast an episode entitled “Making A Killing”, which it says exposes the dark underbelly of the sport and will change it forever.

    Wallish's letter cautioned participants the Four Corners program would be hard hitting and potentially upsetting for some members of the greyhound racing fraternity.

    “Make no mistake, this story will be explosive, emotive and extremely damaging to the future of this sport in Australia,” he wrote.

    “As a of people that love the greyhound breed we should all be shocked and outraged by the allegations in the story and prepared to fight the small minority that continue to partake in such practices jeopardising the future of the sport and indeed the future of the breed itself.

    “You will be emotional, you might be angry. Don't be angry at those that attack us, regardless of their position. Be angry at those within the sport that are doing the wrong thing and undermining the values for which we stand.”

    Last week, police and RSPCA officials raided properties in NSW, Queensland and Victoria, with seven industry participants immediately stood down in Queensland, six in NSW and 10 in Victoria.

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    John Edwards wa
    John Edwards wa
    9 years ago

    this will be a sad inditement on those policing the industry.surely there is a duty of care to steak holders .if there was one or two charges then i understand but the numbers are blind eye in size

    another growler
    another growler
    9 years ago

    Quite right Gavin. Its interesting to note the great Darren McDonald now trains NO dogs and his partner, Joanne Game, who has never trained a dog in her life, now has 20 dogs in her name!!! As of 14 Feb. Lovely Valentines gift

    Mwk
    Mwk
    9 years ago

    Really none of this would be happening the way it is if the Greyhound authorities in Australia did their job properly .. I’m already sick of hearing them saying they knew nothing when others can come up with what will be seen on Four Corners…take some of the blame you so called leaders.

    Mwk
    Mwk
    9 years ago

    All governing control boards should be sacked .. this has happened on their watch full stop.

    mix
    mix
    9 years ago

    Lucky they didn’t come across all those free cat to good home baits.

    Audra Kunciunas
    Audra Kunciunas
    9 years ago

    Live lure training is illegal. Live lure training can ruin a race dog. Greyhound racing needs to move into the 21st century.

    John
    John
    9 years ago

    I’m noting the names of people in this forum who fail to agree with the tense that this activity is happening and it is abhorrent. Guess what? You’ve lost me and my family as consumers. I boycott your industry. Particularly because you fail to satisfy me that you will reliably police it. My money is better donated to Animals Australia. Sorry folks but you’ve just lost a big player in funding your blood sport.

    John
    John
    9 years ago

    I am horrified that several commentators in this forum fail to distance themselves and object to these cruel behaviours in the industry. I have noted your names. I and my family will no longer attend or support any element of greyhound racing. I will support Animals Australia. Even if stringent policing is introduced I doubt that it will eradicate the issue. You guys have just lost a substantial source of income and I hope more Australians follow in my footsteps.

    Simona Jovi
    Simona Jovi
    9 years ago

    They aren’t ‘allegations’ of live baiting. Your trainers have been caught on cameras. People are watching this, be sure of it. Sadistic industry.

    Corinna Horvath
    Corinna Horvath
    9 years ago

    Shit trainers that cant train dogs to run, so they have to use live ‘small’ animals! !!! What a joke. Disgraceful oxygen thieves !! And you bunch of wankers its illegal. Caught out you so called royalty of racing hahaha

    Alison Warham
    Alison Warham
    9 years ago

    Are you kidding there is a massive difference between getting a disease or being accidentally hit by a car as opposed to being strapped down spun around a track and ripped apart by dogs!!! You can’t honestly think this is humane???

    Leigh Carter
    Leigh Carter
    9 years ago

    At what stage did I mention being dragged around a track… you are making an assumption. I stated a fact with no reference to greyhound racing… so please find someone else to throw mud at!!!!!

    Alison Warham
    Alison Warham
    9 years ago

    It’s in the video footage, you are commenting on an article in relation to video footage released about greyhound racing, about live animal baiting, showing that! So I’m not making an assumption I saw it.

    Leigh Carter
    Leigh Carter
    9 years ago

    No there is no footage on this section. Your refering to the ABC. Not all trainers are babaric they have got a few and turned it into a witch hunt on the whole industry

    Alison Warham
    Alison Warham
    9 years ago

    Yes I know what I’m referring too. It’s more than a few and they a key players in the “industry” so maybe the industry deserves a witch hunt

    Leigh Carter
    Leigh Carter
    9 years ago

    There are tens of thousands of dog trainers 20 odd doesnt make it wide spread???

    Leigh Carter
    Leigh Carter
    9 years ago

    No they are not key players they said they were. Please get your facts straight and dont make references until you know what your talking about. Not something you have seen on a tv show only pin pointing the ugly side

    AnneDriscoll
    AnneDriscoll
    9 years ago

    They have captured many prominent figures, some of which have had recent roles in regulating the industry. That this could happen at all, let alone by what have been held to be distinguished figures, suggests this is a substantially grotesque industry made up of many masked degenerates. Its coming ravaging is entirely appropriate. 

    AnneDriscoll
    AnneDriscoll
    9 years ago

    @John Hear hear, I will never again have anything to do with any aspect of Greyhound racing either. 

    AnneDriscoll
    AnneDriscoll
    9 years ago

    Audra Kunciunas I’d rather it just be left behind. 

    RISirius
    RISirius
    9 years ago

    Anamul13 Sadly, it live baiting appears widespread,with the biggest names.I won’t trust the industry again.

    the hypocrite unvailer
    the hypocrite unvailer
    9 years ago

    What a joke .anything to bring down a industry it would seem yet I see no animal labs getting the same rhetoric ,all the women wearing their  make up with pride  that have been tested on live animal,s ,all the chemicals for food stuffs that are tested on live monkey,s ,all the live fish used in angling an industrial long lining as bait , all the halal meat murdered in a barbaric way , is all ok because we as human beings wear it or eat it ,I wonder if the animals were asked if they would feel the same… Read more »

    the hypocrite unvailer
    the hypocrite unvailer
    9 years ago

    AnneDriscoll What a joke .anything to bring down a industry it would seem yet I see no animal labs getting the same rhetoric ,all the women wearing their  make up with pride  that have been tested on live animal,s ,all the chemicals for food stuffs that are tested on live monkey,s ,all the live fish used in angling an industrial long lining as bait , all the halal meat murdered in a barbaric way , is all ok because we as human beings wear it or eat it ,I wonder if the animals were asked if they would feel the… Read more »

    Anamul13
    Anamul13
    9 years ago

    RISirius hopefully GRV and the Gov will do the right thing and give the Stewards the Powers/Funding to take this by the scruff of the neck

    Johnno47
    Johnno47
    9 years ago

    Yes they are you fucking cow

    AnneDriscoll
    AnneDriscoll
    9 years ago

    @the hypocrite unvailer AnneDriscoll I don’t think any women are walking around feeling pride about animal-tested makeup. In any event, to each point you raise, two wrongs don’t make a right, and cruelty in greyhound racing has no natural right to be dealt with last, after any or all other industries. It is also clearly wrong to suggest animal testing has been ignored or sanctioned, it has been highly publicised and a point of difference in the marketing of many brands. I put it to you that you have below-average morality and that’s where you’re conflicted. Most people are going to… Read more »

    Alison Warham
    Alison Warham
    9 years ago

    20 that were caught, I’m sure there are more. Regardless even one person is bad enough the footage has all the facts. Every single person in that footage are absolute scum, anyone defending this practice is in the same boat

    Leigh Carter
    Leigh Carter
    9 years ago

    I never defended them..I used to race against them… struggling to compete… hence why I no longer train greyhounds!!!!!

    Alison Warham
    Alison Warham
    9 years ago

    Your original comment makes fun of the seriousness of the allegations in the report, if you are opposed to this why make such a ridiculous comment??

    Leigh Carter
    Leigh Carter
    9 years ago

    Bite me

    Leigh Carter
    Leigh Carter
    9 years ago

    Never made comment in relation to this get of your high horse and see the story for what it is 30 men out of 30 plus thousand.

    Alison Warham
    Alison Warham
    9 years ago

    Lol, it’s your comment dude, scroll up!! I see the story for exactly what it is too bad there aren’t cameras in every grubby training facility

    Leigh Carter
    Leigh Carter
    9 years ago

    No you see the story the way its portrayed.. and they only gave you a one sided story not once was there any reference to the hobby trainer who looks after their dogs better than most look after their kids. I have two who sleep on a sofa bed in my garage. . Who roam free..

    zebbedy
    zebbedy
    9 years ago

    @John Gotcha John.  I never comment on social media about anything however the footage in last night’s program was so repugnant that I will no longer be spending my gambling dollars on greyhound racing.  I am Western Australian and have no confidence whatsoever that such widespread practices have not infected dog racing in WA.  Either way, irrespective of the outcomes of any investigations, etc…. that’s it for me.

    Andrea McManus
    Andrea McManus
    9 years ago

    Leigh Carter..John Butterworth = morons