By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
DISGRACED Devon Meadows greyhound trainer Darren McDonald has been found guilty for his role in the live-baiting scandal.
But the decision as to a penalty has been reserved.
Mr McDonald plead guilty before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board to three of the six charges laid against him which included using a live piglet as bait for greyhounds at the Tooradin Trial Track in November 2014.
The guilty finding was handed down on Wednesday 2 December but the board reserved its decision as to a penalty.
“After considering all the evidence tendered including viewing video footage and hearing submissions … the RADB found Mr Darren McDonald guilty on charges 1, 3 and 5,” the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board report stated.
The live baiting investigation was launched after ABC TV aired covert footage in February of live possums and rabbits twitching on lures and being mauled by greyhounds at the trial track.
A number of other trainers linked to Tooradin have been either been banned for life or suspended for their roles in the scandal, including Stuart Mills, Anthony Mills, Christopher Connolly, Dennis Dean, Brett Mackie, Jon Roberts and Eric Sykes.
In May the Tooradin Trial track was put up for sale following the fallout from the scandal.
And in June a state-commissioned report tabled by Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna was released, concluding that “clandestine” live baiting of greyhounds was “well known”.
Mr Perna stated that the Tooradin Trial Tack had been inspected by a steward about 11 times between 2009 and 2014 and was inspected five times by a welfare officer from 2014 to February 2015.
