Greyhound Racing SA charges Murray Bridge trainers with animal cruelty
Two trainers have been suspended pending an investigation into a video supplied to the ABC.
Two Murray Bridge greyhound racing trainers face the prospect of being banned from the industry after being charged with animal cruelty and other rule breaches.
Greyhound Racing SA announced the charges against two trainers on Friday, including – in total:
- Six counts of ill treatment of a greyhound
- One count each of failing to provide care and supervision of a greyhound
- One count each of causing or permitting dangerous conditions
- One count each of conduct detrimental to the industry
The charges stemmed from a shocking video supplied to ABC Adelaide last Wednesday, which appeared to show greyhounds being kicked, punched and treated roughly.
The ABC concluded that the videos had been shot on the property of Murray Bridge trainers Tony and Lisa Rasmussen.
GRSA did not name the trainers charged, and referred only to “the disturbing vision that has been aired by several media channels”.
The industry body said on Wednesday that it had suspended “both trainers”, pending an investigation.
CEO Bodelle Francis announced the charges on Friday.
“That these charges have been laid less than 48 hours after we first saw the vision is a reflection of how seriously we take the welfare of our animals and how disgusted we were by this vision,” she said.
“I commend our stewards for their swift and decisive action and for the thoroughness of their investigation to this point.
“While our jurisdiction starts and ends with the rules of racing, we stand ready to support the prosecuting authorities on any subsequent criminal investigation.”
The charges will be heard by an independent panel.
If found guilty, the trainers could face disqualification and deregistration for a period of 10 years or more.
The industry penalties would be separate to any criminal trial which could follow if SA Police laid charges under the Animal Welfare Act.
- Do you know more about this story? Contact Peri Strathearn on 0419 827 124 or at peri@murraybridge.news.
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