❓ Hon Lynn MacLaren raises concerns about a potential increase in greyhounds being offered for adoption in WA, possibly linked to live baiting practices. The Minister acknowledges the issue and states that investigations are underway, with existing protocols in place for suspensions.
AnsweredQoN 36Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GREYHOUND
RACING INDUSTRY — ADOPTION
36. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister for
Racing and Gaming:
(1) Is the
minister aware of reports that there is a sudden increase in greyhounds used in
the racing industry being offered to an adoption agency in Western Australia?
(2) Can the minister provide any
details of this?
(3) Is it of some
concern to the minister and to the department that these greyhounds may have
been trained by live baiting and that the increased scrutiny on the racing
industry would uncover this fact?
(4) Will the minister order an
investigation to identify and suspend from racing in Western Australia —
(a) any greyhounds racing that have
been trained with live baits anywhere in Australia; and
(b) any trainers
or owners implicated in the live baiting investigations in New South Wales,
Victoria and Queensland?
RACING INDUSTRY — ADOPTION
36. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister for
Racing and Gaming:
(1) Is the
minister aware of reports that there is a sudden increase in greyhounds used in
the racing industry being offered to an adoption agency in Western Australia?
(2) Can the minister provide any
details of this?
(3) Is it of some
concern to the minister and to the department that these greyhounds may have
been trained by live baiting and that the increased scrutiny on the racing
industry would uncover this fact?
(4) Will the minister order an
investigation to identify and suspend from racing in Western Australia —
(a) any greyhounds racing that have
been trained with live baits anywhere in Australia; and
(b) any trainers
or owners implicated in the live baiting investigations in New South Wales,
Victoria and Queensland?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1) I am aware
of media reports regarding retired greyhounds being offered to an adoption
agency in Western Australia.
(2) Racing and
Wagering Western Australia is working to substantiate these claims. At this
point in time there is no evidence to support them.
(3) At this
stage Racing and Wagering Western Australia has no evidence that the number of
greyhounds offered to the adoption agency is as a consequence of the live
baiting issue in the eastern states. However, a person responsible for any
greyhound is required to lodge notification of its retirement with Racing and
Wagering Western Australia within 10 days of such retirement.
(4) The
matters alleged to have occurred in other jurisdictions are currently being
investigated with a view to prosecution by the controlling authorities in those
jurisdictions. Persons or greyhounds suspended by the controlling authorities
in the eastern states are automatically suspended in Western Australia. I informed
the house yesterday that Racing and Wagering Western Australia is the statutory
body charged with the function to control, regulate and supervise racing in
Western Australia. If there is any evidence of malpractice occurring in Western
Australia, I expect Racing and Wagering will conduct a thorough investigation.
question.
(1) I am aware
of media reports regarding retired greyhounds being offered to an adoption
agency in Western Australia.
(2) Racing and
Wagering Western Australia is working to substantiate these claims. At this
point in time there is no evidence to support them.
(3) At this
stage Racing and Wagering Western Australia has no evidence that the number of
greyhounds offered to the adoption agency is as a consequence of the live
baiting issue in the eastern states. However, a person responsible for any
greyhound is required to lodge notification of its retirement with Racing and
Wagering Western Australia within 10 days of such retirement.
(4) The
matters alleged to have occurred in other jurisdictions are currently being
investigated with a view to prosecution by the controlling authorities in those
jurisdictions. Persons or greyhounds suspended by the controlling authorities
in the eastern states are automatically suspended in Western Australia. I informed
the house yesterday that Racing and Wagering Western Australia is the statutory
body charged with the function to control, regulate and supervise racing in
Western Australia. If there is any evidence of malpractice occurring in Western
Australia, I expect Racing and Wagering will conduct a thorough investigation.
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