Live-baiting scandal: more suspensions on way in Victoria
GREYHOUND Racing Victoria CEO Adam Wallish has told Australian Racing Greyhound that it expects to stand down more registered participants in coming days as the live-baiting saga intensifies.
The state body suspended the registration of 10 participants and the Tooradin Trial Track last week for alleged baiting offences after it was advised on Wednesday that the RSPCA had been investigating alleged illegal activity at the track.
After receiving further information from the RSPCA and the Racing Integrity Commissioner, Sal Perna, last Friday, GRV made the decision to instantly suspend the registrations.
While GRV is yet to formally disclose any names, shocking vision on the ABC's Four Corners program on Monday seemingly identified many of the implicated trainers, including one of Australia's top mentors.
On Wednesday, Wallish said more suspensions were on the way, while he would not divulge when GRV would confirm the names of all suspended participants.
“We are still acting in accordance with our legal advice at the moment not to make those names public so until that changes we will keep them within GRV,” he said.
“We are going through the process at the moment and within the next day or two it is likely that [more suspensions] will happen.”
Wallish went on to say GRV had no tolerance for those who engaged in live-baiting activities.
“We are all disgusted by the footage and the criminal behaviour that we saw on the Four Corners program on Monday night, it was despicable. Make no mistake, it was criminal behaviour and I am sure that the RSPCA and GRV will prosecute as hard as we can.”
While there has been speculation the sport may be suspended following the shocking Four Corners vision that depicted participants training their dogs by allowing them to maul rabbits, pigs and native possums, Wallish also said he believed that was highly unlikely.
“I don't think it is warranted (suspending racing) and I think that it is over the top and I think it would be very unlikely to happen,” he said.
“Greyhound Racing employs directly 3000 people in Victoria and 20,000 people are involved. We have an economic impact in Victoria of $350,000,000, it is an important business, so I think it would be unlikely.”
I do hope the suspension are people from the controlling bodies in each state you have to be replaced as you failed everyone in the greyhound industry none of you did the job that was required, INTEGRITY STAFF, ANIMAL WELFARE, GRADING, MANAGEMENT GO RESIGN join one of the other racing codes
Vince Cassar
It didnt take Baird long, grnsw board sacked.
The grnsw board sacked and so should grv board
Rub Them out for life
Time for some Tough action with Huge Fines and suspensions for all involved….but You can bet they will continue on in the Sport with there Wife or Relations taking over the Training and getting on with business per usual…. been going on for Years and if we have to claw back some credibility in Greyhond Racing this must not be allowed.!!!!
Name and shame them all
I do hope the suspension are people from the controlling bodies in each state you have to be replaced as you failed everyone in the greyhound industry none of you did the job that was required, INTEGRITY STAFF, ANIMAL WELFARE, GRADING, MANAGEMENT GO RESIGN join one of the other racing codes
http://sociallitigator.com/2015/02/17/four-corners-greyhound-racing-scandal-the-court-of-opinion-is-not-a-court-of-law/
Vince Cassar
It didnt take Baird long, grnsw board sacked.
The grnsw board sacked and so should grv board
Rub Them out for life
Qld should follow suit and sack RQ
Time for some Tough action with Huge Fines and suspensions for all involved….but You can bet they will continue on in the Sport with there Wife or Relations taking over the Training and getting on with business per usual…. been going on for Years and if we have to claw back some credibility in Greyhond Racing this must not be allowed.!!!!
Name and shame them all