‘Disgust’ at live animals used to train greyhounds
Print Edition
Australia’s greyhound racing industry was in damage control yesterday after graphic footage showed live piglets, rabbits and possums used as bait to train some of the country’s most successful dogs.
An Australian Broadcasting Corporation investigation showed the animals being fixed to mechanical lures before being chased and torn apart during training sessions.
A lure is traditionally an artificial hare or rabbit.
Animal welfare group RSPCA, in conjunction with police in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, raided five properties last week after the broadcaster handed over its evidence ahead of the program being broadcast on Monday evening.
Australia has one of the largest greyhound racing industries in the world and live baiting has been banned and criminalized for decades.
RSPCA Australia chief executive Heather Neil said the practice appeared to be an entrenched culture where animal cruelty is seen by some as an accepted cost of the sport.
“The callous disregard for animal suffering shown by individuals captured in this footage should see the state and territory racing bodies immediately suspending the trainers and others implicated,” she said.
Animals Australia said some of the animals that survived their first maulings were “re-used” multiple times.
“Cut-throat trainers looking for a winning edge take advantage ... by taunting dogs with tethered live animals, and tying animals — literally kicking and screaming — to fast-moving lures," it said.
“Industry self-regulation is failing dismally. And while self-regulation continues, there can be little hope that live baiting will ever be eradicated from the industry.”
Greyhounds Australasia chief executive Scott Parker said 23 people had been suspended as he ordered an urgent independent review of all systems relating to animal welfare and integrity.
“I am appalled at some of the footage shown on the Four Corners program,” he said, while insisting that only a small minority of the sport's 30,000 participants are involved.
‘Totally rejected’
“The use of live animals to train greyhounds is disgusting, illegal, unethical and totally rejected by the industry.
“The industry accepts responsibility for doing more to rid the sport of this illegal and immoral practice.”
Greyhound Racing NSW said it had hired a former High Court justice to lead a review into live baiting while the Victoria government announced separate investigations into animal cruelty and animal welfare.
The maximum penalty for animal cruelty is two years jail and a A$30,000 (US$23,000) fine with Greyhound Racing Victoria chief executive Adam Wallish pledging that “we will move heaven and Earth to make sure they are convicted.”
Peter Caillard, Greyhound Racing Victoria chairman, said: “This is devastating for the greyhound racing industry because it’s simply disgusting conduct.”
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