By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
GREYHOUND Racing Victoria has suspended the breeding incentive scheme following the inquiry into live baiting.
Racing Minister Martin Pakula on Thursday welcomed GRV’s decision to suspend the Greyhound Owners and Breeders Incentive Scheme (GOBIS), after recommendations made by the Chief Veterinary Officer and Racing Integrity Commissioner in their reports on live baiting in the industry.
The State Government will work with the GRV board to redirect GOBIS funds.
“The decision by Greyhound Racing Victoria to suspend GOBIS is consistent with the recommendations made by the Chief Veterinary Officer in his report on live baiting, and I support the move,” Mr Pakula said.
“Animal welfare is a top priority and the government will work with Greyhound Racing Victoria to ensure the GOBIS funds are redistributed to initiatives to improve animal welfare programs, encourage sustainable breeding and improve the retirement and rehoming of greyhounds after racing.”
Last month, veteran Devon Meadows greyhound trainer Jon Roberts was banned from the sport for life after he was found guilty of live baiting.
The independent Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board disqualified the Melbourne Cup winning trainer after Mr Roberts was charged with using a live rabbit for bait in November.
Jon Roberts has claimed the rabbit was dead before it was attached to the lure, according to media reports.
It comes after another greyhound racing stalwart, Anthony Mills, was also handed a life ban from the sport on 24 June, and trainer Eric Sykes given a 10-year disqualification with five suspended.
In 2009, Mr Roberts won the Group 1 Solo Melbourne Cup with the dog Lord Ducal.
A state-commissioned report recently concluded “clandestine” live baiting of greyhounds was “well known” and unlikely to have been confined to the Tooradin Trial Track.
On 11 June, the State Government tabled a report by Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna in addition to a Chief Veterinary Officer report on the practice.
The investigations were launched after ABC TV aired covert footage in February of live possums and rabbits twitching on lures and mauled by greyhounds at the trial track.
Seven trainers – Christopher Connolly, Dennis Dean, Brett Mackie, Darren McDonald, Anthony Mills, Jon Roberts and Eric Sykes – linked to Tooradin were suspended and charged by Greyhound Racing Victoria.
The 40-acre Tooradin Trial Track has been shut down since February, and put on the market by its owner and suspended greyhound trainer Stuart Mills for $945,000.
