Witnessing the live baiting of greyhounds and failing to report it will become an offence in Victoria, under a suite of new measures announced by the state government in its bid to crack down on the racing industry.
Live baiting, illegal in Australia, is supposed to train greyhounds to become faster by tying animals such as rabbits and possums to a mechanical lure, which rotates around a race track while the dogs chase them.
On Thursday the racing minister, Martin Pakula, said his government accepted all 68 recommendations made in a report into live baiting tabled in parliament that morning.
“A practice as barbaric as live baiting has no place in Victoria’s greyhound racing industry, full stop,” Pakula said.
Under the recommendations, as well as making it an offence to witness live baiting without reporting it, existing fines and penalties for live baiters will be increased, the powers of inspectors to enter and examine training and racing premises will be bolstered and a veterinarian will be appointed to the board of Greyhound Racing Victoria [GRV].
All audit and inspecting functions should be removed from GRV, the report recommended, and instead be undertaken by an independent greyhound inspectorate controlled by the government and funded by the industry.
Pakula appointed internationally respected racing administrator, Paul Bittar, to develop a new integrity model for all three racing codes – thoroughbred, harness and greyhounds.
GRV chairman, Ray Gunston said his organisation was still reviewing the report and would provide a detailed response at a later date.
“In principle we accept the direction of their recommendations and will continue to work with the government, the industry and its participants, and other stakeholders to ensure that the necessary and appropriate changes are implemented to secure the future of the industry,” Gunston said.
“There are clearly many details to be worked through in relation to these recommendations, particularly in relation to timing.”
Victorian Greens spokeswoman for animal welfare, Sue Pennicuik, said it was important GRV be stripped of its regulatory responsibilities given what she described as a conflict of interest.
“Greyhound Racing Victoria cannot be left responsible for regulating an industry which it also promotes,” Pennicuik said.
“The Victorian government’s response to the most recent revelations of live baiting has been completely inadequate. Leaving GRV to self-regulate the toxic mix of animals, gambling and prize purses will result in more cruelty.”
An independent and separate regulatory body was needed to protect the welfare of the animals first, she said.
In February an investigation by the ABC’s Four Corners program revealed the illegal practice was still being carried out in Victoria to train the dogs of leading trainers.
This prompted the investigation by Victoria’s racing integrity commissioner, Sal Pern, and chief veterinary officer, Dr Charles Milne.
In their report Pern wrote while he could not conclude that live baiting had occurred on a systematic basis, “I am confident in my view that the practice is unlikely to be confined to one property or one group of participants in Victoria”.
“The overwhelming circumstantial evidence indicates that live baiting has been an ongoing practice used at various stages in greyhound racing,” he wrote.
“GRV have a clear conflict of interest between promoting the industry and regulating animal welfare outcomes. There is a clear need to separate out the regulation of animal welfare from industry promotion.”
Since February, 17 people have been suspended in relation to live baiting allegations at Victoria’s Tooradin trial track, while nine people have been charged for breaches of GRV rules.
The RSPCA’s Victorian branch CEO, Dr Liz Walker, said the report provided “a tremendous opportunity for the industry to lift its game”.
“It is clear that the greyhound racing industry’s current operational model is flawed and RSPCA Victoria will be keen to hear further about how these recommendations will be delivered to form the new operational model.”
