Call to ban greyhound racing over live bait scandal as trainer suspended and ‘could be prosecuted’ after a raid
- Trainer and member of the racing industry is suspended with immediate effect
- Evidence of baiting and hauling found near Geelong, Victoria
- MP has called for a ban on sports
A live bait scandal has erupted in the Victorian greyhound racing industry, prompting renewed calls for the sport to be banned.
A greyhound trainer and a fellow registered industry member were immediately suspended on Tuesday after evidence of baiting and baiting was found during a targeted inspection of a property in Lara, near Geelong.
The investigation continues, but Stuart Laing, CEO of Greyhound Racing Victoria, has indicated the pair could face criminal charges over the breaches.
“The industry has zero tolerance for incitement violations, which not only affect animal welfare, but also undermine the integrity of the sport and damage the reputation of the greyhound racing industry,” he said in a statement.
The scandal in Victoria will bring back bad memories of the living evidence exposed by the ABC in 2015 (pictured)
Four Corners revealed shocking footage of live animals being attached to mechanical lures for greyhounds to chase (pictured)
“Our greyhound racing integrity unit is very vigilant and will investigate allegations and evidence and take appropriate action, including considering possible criminal breaches of Victoria’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, as well as breaches of the racing rules.”
Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, who was part of a Victorian parliament inquiry last week recommending a ban on recreational duck shooting from next year, said she was not surprised by the discovery.
“With such an inadequate and erratic compliance schedule – how many more (properties) remain unchecked,” she wrote on social media.
‘Shut it down.’
A Victorian MP from the Animal Justice Party has called for a ban on the sport after the results of the inspection came to light in Victoria (stock image)
In 2015, ABC program Four Corners released live bait on tracks in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
It showed graphic images of small animals being tethered to mechanical lures with which they were chased, caught and destroyed by greyhounds.
The program sparked several state inquiries and prompted the NSW government to announce it would ban greyhound racing in the state before former Liberal Prime Minister Mike Baird reversed the decision.
Victoria opted against a ban in favor of sweeping reforms and a new integrity model.
It comes after former Victorian police chief Graham Ashton was recently appointed to lead an independent inquiry into South Australian greyhound racing following the release of footage showing a trainer kicking and punching a dog.