Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) has disqualified three participants as part of its ongoing inquiry into the unauthorised export of greyhounds to China and Macau.
Mark Farrugia and Stephen Farrugia have been disqualified for five years and each fined $22,000 for exporting 96 greyhounds to Macau Canidrome and 70 greyhounds to the Shanghai Wild Animal Park. Due to their cooperation with the inquiry and other mitigating factors, one half of the disqualification has been suspended for a period of five years pending any further breaches of the relevant rules.
Donna Farrugia has been found guilty of knowingly aiding and abetting the offences of Mark Farrugia and Stephen Farrugia and has been disqualified for two years and six months. Due to the admissions Donna Farrugia made to the inquiry and other mitigating factors, one year of Donna Farrugia’s disqualification has been suspended for a period of two years and six months pending any further breaches relating to the relevant rules.
In the case of Mark Farrugia and Stephen Farrugia, the disqualification is significantly less than otherwise would have applied because of their early guilty pleas, their cooperation throughout the duration of the inquiry, their previous good records and contribution to the industry for more than 18 years.
In relation to Donna Farrugia, the steward noted that although she pleaded not guilty by not responding to the charges, she did participate in interviews on 20 November 2015 and 8 September 2016. In the course of doing so, Donna Farrugia made significant admissions and provided significant assistance to the inquiry.
GRNSW also fined 13 greyhound owners and trainers for negligently or improperly submitting incorrect information to GRNSW in updates on the status of greyhounds. Information required to be submitted to GRNSW on the status of greyhounds is crucial to enable GRNSW to properly monitor and regulate their movement. It is imperative that all participants understand that failure to properly comply with their notification obligations could result in sanctions.
The penalties handed down by GRNSW reflect the seriousness and extent of the offences under the Greyhound Racing Rules. The financial penalty is the maximum permitted under GRNSW's guiding legislation, and together with the periods of disqualification reflect the fact that greyhound racing in NSW will not tolerate offences which jeopardise the welfare of greyhounds and tarnish the image and reputation of the sport in the eyes of the public.
In particular, the message is clear that greyhound racing in NSW will not tolerate the unauthorised export of greyhounds to countries that do not have adequate animal welfare standards.
The inquiry into unauthorised exports was convened in 2016 after evidence emerged that greyhounds were being exported to China and Macau in contravention of Rule 124 of the Greyhound Racing Rules, which requires that any person intending to export a greyhound from Australia to any other country (excluding NEW ZEALAND) must, prior to meeting the quarantine and inspection service requirements of the relevant country, obtain a greyhound passport and certified pedigree issued by Greyhounds Australasia (GA).
GA has suspended consideration of greyhound passport applications to Macau since March 2013 due to a GA assessment that Macau is not fully compliant with Australian animal welfare standards.
In 2014 GA adopted the default position that it will not issue greyhound passports for greyhounds which are to be exported to countries where GA has no formal association with a recognised central regulatory authority. China is one such destination.
Although the export of greyhounds without a passport may be contrary to Rule 124, there is no Federal Government law prohibiting it. The lack of a greyhound passport does not preclude a greyhound from being exported from Australia and the federal regulatory scheme does not take account of the animal welfare standards of the destination country. The Farrugias complied with all Department of Agriculture requirements and quarantine procedures in relation to the greyhound exports which were the subject of this decision.
A copy of the decision of GRNSW about the penalty imposed can be found here.
Mark, Stephen and Donna Farrugia have been notified of their rights of appeal.
The inquiry is ongoing. More information on the export inquiry as well as the Greyhound Racing Rules can be found here.
GRNSW encourages anyone who may have information about the unauthorised exportation of greyhounds to contact the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Hotline on 1800 600 174 or www.greyhoundwelfare.com.au to ensure the matter can be fully investigated.
