Reg Kay among five Queensland trainers warned off for life

FIVE Queensland greyhound trainers were warned off for life at a dramatic Monday afternoon board meeting of the Queensland All Codes Racing Industry.

One more case has been adjourned and another has been referred back to . In total 13 trainers have been suspended from training. Seven of those 13 have received show cause notices, with five of these trainers now banned following the revelations on the ABC's Four Corners program on .

The TV show, which exposed the practise of live baiting within the greyhound racing industry, has created a public outcry with the fallout expected to continue for a lot longer. The program formed part of an investigation that included the RSPCA, Animals Australia and Animal Liberation Queensland wherein hidden cameras were put in place at the property of Tom Noble, catching several trainers and participants red-handed.

Seven of the 13 participants suspended were issued show cause notices on February 17, and asked to explain why they should not be warned off for life. They were: Debra Arnold, James Harding, , Tony McCabe, Tom Noble, Greg Stella and .

On Monday evening, Queensland All Codes Racing Industry Board Chairman announced the board had decided the fate of those seven trainers after considering three written submissions and one verbal submission. The are as follows:

Legendary trainer Reg Kay as well as Debra Arnold both made written submissions as to why they should not be warned off, with the Board finding that they both failed to show cause as to why they should not be warned off. Therefore, it was decided that both Kay and Arnold would be warned off for life.

James Harding, Tony McCabe and Tom Noble did not make a submission after being given a show cause notice and all three were subsequently warned off.

Greg Stella made a verbal submission to the Board in response to his show cause notice and after consideration of the evidence and his submission it was decided the matter would be referred back to stewards for them to undertake an . Stella and his greyhounds are to remain suspended pending the steward's investigation.

Finally, Michael Chapman made a written submission to the Board which became aware of further evidence they felt may be evidence that could be relevant to the consideration of his submission. The Board decided to adjourn his case to a later date.

The decision made by the Board means that the five warned off trainers will no longer be able to own, train or prepare any registered racing animal or attend any of the greyhound racecourses in Queensland.

Dixon said in a press statement the decision to warn off the five trainers was made after careful consideration of the submissions and evidence and due to the seriousness of the allegations.

“As a board we determined the actions of these individuals proved they should not be considered fit and proper persons to continue to be involved in the greyhound industry,” Dixon said.

“The conduct we saw from these people in the evidence provided to us is not only against the of greyhound racing, it is deplorable by its very nature.

“There is no place for anyone who engages in this type of conduct in the industry.”

Dixon also mentioned the greyhounds which are owned by these trainers will stay suspended from racing and will remain in the care of Racing Queensland.

The decisions come as Racing Queensland cracks down on ensuring a high standard of animal welfare within the industry. The authority has recently implemented a series of stringent measures to eradicate live-baiting from the industry such as the banning of all organic matter in the training of racing greyhounds.

“Racing Queensland has a zero-tolerance on animal cruelty and we remain firmly committed to ensuring anyone who engages in this type of behavior is no longer part of the industry,” Dixon said.

“The rule bans the use of any organic matter on a including blood, ensuring no animals are harmed for the purpose of training a greyhound.

“We have teams of stewards on the ground inspecting kennels for evidence of animal cruelty across the state and recording the data of dogs domiciled at each property.

“The greyhound industry has been challenged and it is up to the controlling body and the participants to ensure animal cruelty is eradicated from the industry.”

Racing Queensland has also put into place a new welfare and integrity levy on all greyhound prize money, breeding and subsidy schemes which is expected to raise $1.6 million annually.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
38 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Mwk
Mwk
9 years ago

35 years in greyhounds and I have never seen anything like the handling of this situation…The board is a disgrace dragging this on and on falling out with owners who have nothing to do with this. Get on with kicking out the bad now so it dies down and things can get back to some kind of order. They caught the ones on film fair and square everyone else who didnent get filmed can thank their lucky stars but that’s life .

Treehugger
Treehugger
9 years ago

Mwk,  that’s the attitude that led to this in the first place, you are only shocked by the handling of the situation, not that the situation occurred;  which monkey are you?  See, hear or speak no evil?  Honestly, you really think that there is a going back to normal?  Dream on.

Mwk
Mwk
9 years ago

I’m talking from the industry point of view for the people who aren’t part of this they won’t be able to carry on in peace from people like you till the board throws the book at the offenders and life continues on.

AaronC_GPLNZ
AaronC_GPLNZ
9 years ago

Thin edge of the wedge hopefully.

John Tracey
John Tracey
9 years ago

Katherine, thanks again for being on the front foot. The Queensland legislation does not have a specific prevention of cruelty to animals act like NSW  but it has a range of animal protection , cat and dog management acts and police acts. While the maximum jail penalty for related criminal offences is half that of NSW 1 year versus 2 years the offences in Qld unlike NSW allow exposure of the CEO of corporations to face jail time as well. It is interesting the most prominent trainer in Qld has been given a life sentence by the racing authority as… Read more »

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

To ban greyhound racing is the wrong decision, what it needs is change. Animal Australia and other anti racing groups have caused a monumental monster, what they exposed needed to be exposed,  those offenders to have the full weight of the law bought down on them, but what has happened is that the greyhound is now portrayed as a vicious dog and adoption enquires are down. So to those people who are putting total myths around about the breed and that greyhound racing should be banned then for the thousands of greyhounds that will be euthanized (as there just aren’t enough adoption homes all at once)… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
9 years ago

Recluse 60 The laws on prevention of cruelty to animals applying to greyhounds in NSW is four times tougher than the cruelty to other animals so penalty alone does not stop criminal activity. Criminal activity can be considerably reduced if people on the fringes know the serious risks they are taking. The above has not been done because the collective regulatory representatives on their national body have allowed the subject of blooding to either exist under the carpet or worse still have been ignorant. The various control boards in NSW have spent $20 million a year on animal welfare matters.… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
9 years ago

Please find the edited reply missed previously.The laws on prevention of cruelty to animals applying to greyhounds in NSW is four times tougher than the cruelty to other animals so penalty alone does not stop criminal activity. Criminal activity can be considerably reduced if people on the fringes know the serious risks they are taking. The above has not been done because the collective regulatory representatives on their national body have allowed the subject of blooding to either exist under the carpet or worse still have been ignorant. The various control boards in Australia have spent  on animal welfare matters.… Read more »

bkw
bkw
9 years ago

This is a great strong response by the Queensland board. The best deterrent is a life ban However, does this mean the banned person can simply cross the border into another state and resume training???  Lets see what the other states dish up in terms of punishment – I have been a bit skeptical in the past of suspensions given out that seem dependent on your standing in the industry. Only a thought though.

John Tracey
John Tracey
9 years ago

bkw Lets hope that Qld has due process right otherwise this will end in another mess ,thats why I like NSW getting a retired High court judge to head the NSW task force. If the life ban sticks then the guilty will not be able to go on any racecourse in any code in any country under the joint agreements. There has been a case in Hong Kong were a jockey was jailed but appealed a sentence in Australia and had his appeal upheld. He is currently riding successfully in Qld. The found guilty would also face a Jail sentence… Read more »

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

Well Reg Kay wont be missed.
What’s he ever done for racing or put back into it. Sold any good future stud dogs to China just to make a few hundred thousand after the dog ran his socks off for him and had won nearly $500,000 in prize money, along with other dogs to China for a fast buck.
After being caught live baiting now we know why you didn’t like the follow on lure and raced else where , you low life.

Warren Kempshall
Warren Kempshall
9 years ago

Well Recluse 60 sounds like your name fits well ! Name us the people you know how have sent dogs to China for stud duties ? there will be a long list ! and while your at it name us all the guns who have put back into greyhounds what they have receive from the sport !

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

Well Warren I obviously don’t need to tell you as you know them all personally I expect !

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

Out of interest where is Mr Byrne the Chairman of Greyhound Racing who sits on the Racing Queensland board, surprised he hasn’t fronted up for press releases as he is a Queens Council I think?

John Tracey
John Tracey
9 years ago

Recluse 60 Michael Byrne is a QC and is the Chairman of the sub board of the Greyhound Board and a member of the all codes board for Qld Racing. He is also a member of Greyhound’s Australasia representing Qld. There is a wealth of information  on the following prompt. The racing act is administrated by an all code board which has two independents one horse one harness and one greyhound. The annual report is hard to find as it is listed under the contact section in the top right hand. The greyhound section which has a lot of information… Read more »

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

John Tracey Recluse 60 
I understand that but what I’m saying is that he is paid a large salary to represent greyhound racing on the main board, so he should be fronting up and taking on the responsibility to sort this mess out rather than go into hiding.
I was given to understand that his appointment is Ministerial.

John Tracey
John Tracey
9 years ago

Recluse 60 John Tracey 
The short answer is yes, with the following qualifications. 
Division 2 Members of control board
9BT Members
A control board is to consist of 3 members appointed by the
Governor in Council.
Queensland Greyhound Control board consists of three members appointed by the Governor in council. The Governor in Council can also dismiss the members of the control board (see Racing Act)
The Chairman of the Greyhound Board is automatically the member of the all racing codes board which controls the whole of Racing in Queensland.

CHRIS TAYLOR
CHRIS TAYLOR
8 years ago

IF YOU DO THE CRIME DO THE TIME , ALL THESE TRAINERS WHO GOT RUBBED OUT HAD A GOOD RUN OR A GREEN LIGHT DONT CRY OVER SPILT MILK, ITS CALLED KARMA

Mwk
Mwk
9 years ago

35 years in greyhounds and I have never seen anything like the handling of this situation…The board is a disgrace dragging this on and on falling out with owners who have nothing to do with this. Get on with kicking out the bad now so it dies down and things can get back to some kind of order. They caught the ones on film fair and square everyone else who didnent get filmed can thank their lucky stars but that’s life .

Treehugger
Treehugger
9 years ago

Mwk,  that’s the attitude that led to this in the first place, you are only shocked by the handling of the situation, not that the situation occurred;  which monkey are you?  See, hear or speak no evil?  Honestly, you really think that there is a going back to normal?  Dream on.  

Warren Kempshall
Warren Kempshall
9 years ago

Shutting the gate after the horse has bolted ? QLD board are covering their lack of commitment and have spent way too much time sitting on their butts in air conditioned offices for far too long ! I have been too many trial tracks in my time and never come across any officials from the Qld board ? 

Mwk
Mwk
9 years ago

I’m talking from the industry point of view for the people who aren’t part of this they won’t be able to carry on in peace from people like you till the board throws the book at the offenders and life continues on.

AaronC_GPLNZ
AaronC_GPLNZ
9 years ago

Mwk there is no going back. Dog racing is doomed, this is a road that leads into one direction; Oblivion.

AaronC_GPLNZ
AaronC_GPLNZ
9 years ago

Thin edge of the wedge hopefully.

John Tracey
John Tracey
9 years ago

Katherine, thanks again for being on the front foot. The Queensland legislation does not have a specific prevention of cruelty to animals act like NSW  but it has a range of animal protection , cat and dog management acts and police acts. While the maximum jail penalty for related criminal offences is half that of NSW 1 year versus 2 years the offences in Qld unlike NSW allow exposure of the CEO of corporations to face jail time as well. It is interesting the most prominent trainer in Qld has been given a life sentence by the racing authority as… Read more »

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

To ban greyhound racing is the wrong decision, what it needs is change. Animal Australia and other anti racing groups have caused a monumental monster, what they exposed needed to be exposed,  those offenders to have the full weight of the law bought down on them, but what has happened is that the greyhound is now portrayed as a vicious dog and adoption enquires are down. So to those people who are putting total myths around about the breed and that greyhound racing should be banned then for the thousands of greyhounds that will be euthanized (as there just aren’t enough adoption homes all at once)… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
9 years ago

Recluse 60 The laws on prevention of cruelty to animals applying to greyhounds in NSW is four times tougher than the cruelty to other animals so penalty alone does not stop criminal activity. Criminal activity can be considerably reduced if people on the fringes know the serious risks they are taking. The above has not been done because the collective regulatory representatives on their national body have allowed the subject of blooding to either exist under the carpet or worse still have been ignorant. The various control boards in Australia have spent million a year on animal welfare matters. When… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
9 years ago

Please find the edited reply missed previously. The laws on prevention of cruelty to animals applying to greyhounds in NSW is four times tougher than the cruelty to other animals so penalty alone does not stop criminal activity. Criminal activity can be considerably reduced if people on the fringes know the serious risks they are taking. The above has not been done because the collective regulatory representatives on their national body have allowed the subject of blooding to either exist under the carpet or worse still have been ignorant. The various control boards in Australia have spent  on animal welfare… Read more »

bkw
bkw
9 years ago

This is a great strong response by the Queensland board. The best deterrent is a life ban However, does this mean the banned person can simply cross the border into another state and resume training???  Lets see what the other states dish up in terms of punishment – I have been a bit skeptical in the past of suspensions given out that seem dependent on your standing in the industry. Only a thought though.

John Tracey
John Tracey
9 years ago

bkw Lets hope that Qld has due process right otherwise this will end in another mess ,thats why I like NSW getting a retired High court judge to head the NSW task force. If the life ban sticks then the guilty will not be able to go on any racecourse in any code in any country under the joint agreements. There has been a case in Hong Kong were a jockey was jailed but appealed the Hong Kong racing sentence   in Australia and had his appeal upheld.(life sentences may be open future reviews. He is currently riding successfully in… Read more »

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

Well Reg Kay wont be missed.

What’s he ever done for racing or put back into it. Sold any good future stud dogs to China just to make a few hundred thousand after the dog ran his socks off for him and had won nearly ,000 in prize money, along with other dogs to China for a fast buck.

After being caught live baiting now we know why you didn’t like the follow on lure and raced else where , you low life.

Warren Kempshall
Warren Kempshall
9 years ago

Well Recluse 60 sounds like your name fits well ! Name us the people you know how have sent dogs to China for stud duties ? there will be a long list ! and while your at it name us all the guns who have put back into greyhounds what they have receive from the sport !

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

Well Warren I obviously don’t need to tell you as you know them all personally I expect !

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

Out of interest where is Mr Byrne the Chairman of Greyhound Racing who sits on the Racing Queensland board, surprised he hasn’t fronted up for press releases as he is a Queens Council I think?

John Tracey
John Tracey
9 years ago

Recluse 60 Michael Byrne is a QC and is the Chairman of the sub board of the Greyhound Board and a member of the all codes board for Qld Racing. He is also a member of Greyhound’s Australasia representing Qld. There is a wealth of information  on the following prompt. The racing act is administrated by an all code board which has two independents one horse one harness and one greyhound. The annual report is hard to find as it is listed under the contact section in the top right hand. The greyhound section which has a lot of information… Read more »

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

John Tracey Recluse 60 

I understand that but what I’m saying is that he is paid a large salary to represent greyhound racing on the main board, so he should be fronting up and taking on the responsibility to sort this mess out rather than go into hiding.

I was given to understand that his appointment is Ministerial. 

John Tracey
John Tracey
9 years ago

Recluse 60 John Tracey 

The short answer is yes, with the following qualifications. 

Division 2 Members of control board9BT MembersA control board is to consist of 3 members appointed by theGovernor in Council.

Queensland Greyhound Control board consists of three members appointed by the Governor in council. The Governor in Council can also dismiss the members of the control board (see Racing Act)

The Chairman of the Greyhound Board is automatically the member of the all racing codes board which controls the whole of Racing in Queensland.

CHRIS TAYLOR
CHRIS TAYLOR
8 years ago

IF YOU DO THE CRIME DO THE TIME , ALL THESE TRAINERS WHO GOT RUBBED OUT HAD A GOOD RUN OR A GREEN LIGHT DONT CRY OVER SPILT MILK, ITS CALLED KARMA