Greyhounds, Puppies Beaten by Trainer at Champion Aussie Kennel in Shocking Video
Posted on: July 26, 2023, 06:39h.
Last updated on: July 27, 2023, 12:23h.
Drone footage showing several greyhounds, including puppies, being beaten at a prominent Australian kennel has sparked renewed calls in the country to ban the sport.
The video, obtained by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), was filmed by “a whistleblower” over a 17-day period in June and early July this year. The compound is owned by breeder and trainer Tony Rasmussen and his wife, Lisa.
Rasmussen is described by Racenet.com as “South Australia’s premier trainer.” His star dog, Victa Damian, has won 14 of its 24 appearances this year, including the Group 1 National Derby at Wentworth Park in January.
‘Dominance Training’
The shocking footage shows a trainer kicking, punching, and dragging cowering dogs at the property southeast of Adelaide, South Australia.
Elle Trahair, of the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds, told 9News she was “absolutely disgusted, but not surprised.”
What we’re seeing in the footage is a dominance training technique,” she said. “Kicking, and in [one] video kicking puppies, is a way to break a greyhound down, to ensure that it becomes a good chasing race dog to make money for its owner.”
It has not been possible to identify the trainer involved, and there is no suggestion that the individual is either Tony or Lisa Rasmussen.
After agreeing to meet with an ABC reporter to view the video, Tony Rasmussen claimed the individual is a former employee who had been “dealt with” because he treated the dogs badly.
He refused to tell ABC when this individual’s employment was terminated and added that the matter was being dealt with internally.
Industry Probe
Greyhound Racing SA said it has launched an immediate investigation and the Rasmussens have been suspended pending its outcome.
Meanwhile, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has announced there will be an independent inquiry into the industry.
I want to be clear from the outset, I think the greyhound racing industry has a role to play in our state, but it’s got to be clean,” he said.
“We were told that this type of behavior doesn’t happen, and now we find out it does, so I’m not going to take the industry’s assurances as gospel anymore.”
Funding Boost
It’s the latest in a series of scandals to rock Australian greyhound racing. Earlier this year, trainer Ian Anderson was handed a life ban, allegedly for bludgeoning four retired greyhounds to death with a rock.
Despite this, the South Australia state government increased Greyhound Racing SA’s funding in its most recent budget. It boosted the amount going to horse and dog racing from 10% to 20% of profits from state-licensed betting operations.
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Last Comments ( 15 )
Australians are a human disgrace allowing such hateful and immature actions by its racing industry to harm its animals! Frankly, it disheartening to know that someone in Australia --- not one person --- hasn't "invited" Tony, Lisa and their daughter to "take a nice walk" in the woods, and to never, ever, return. People like that MUST be eliminated from the human race, and I'd be glad to help make it a reality --- any f'n day! Rick G
Cabe destacar que una asociación lo premio con los antecedentes que ya tenía. Encubrimiento? Desinterés por los animales? Quien sabe.... Estoy en total desacuerdo con los que utilizan animales para carreras y ri?as. Que se busquen un trabajo digno. Basta de todo esto, YA NO VA MAS!!! y que hagan leyes con penas severas para todas las personas involucradas. Una vergüenza son SALVAJES, dísculpen no se me sale otra palabra.
Deserves to have his head cut off on live television
There are no words to describe you cruel bustards. Not only does Tony, Lisa and the daughter need to be locked away for good, but the animal owners need to be looked into. People have had enough of hearing about the sorts of abuse the poor animals go through. It's long past due this industry is once and for all be held accountable for the constant cruelty to animals. These bustards don't see a dog as a defenceless animal, they only see dollars. And God bless the beautiful person who has captured this footage and brought it to our attention.
You are pieces of crap I am cursing you with every fibre of my body Die and go to hell Be careful because you need to be very aware what people want to do to you You’re not human
Disgusting Your vomit I hope you and your family and employees die a tragic death and rot in hell I would happily which you suffer and die Let karma be your poison
Colleen has it right..john holmes u must be making money...greed as usual in this industry. I'm sure there are other trash people not being caught. LISA Rasmussen i hope u are really proud of yrself or does the mans money get u a more expensive handbag? Rubbish,not a respectable woman.dont pretend u dont know. I hope the genuine racers hv a few things to say to you for degrading the industry again.
It’s well known in the industry that Tony his wife and daughter have all practiced this cruel form of training for years . Now finally do dose everyone else . These people profit from animal cruelty.
Tony and Lisa Rasmussen are despicable. They’re not human they don’t have a shred of humanity. I cannot believe they weren’t immediately arrested and shut down forever. “Oh it wasn’t me. It was one of my employees.”Everybody knows what’s going on. Someone needs to treat them exactly like they treat their animals
I’d love to train you the same way you waste of space….the sick bastards should never be allowed to train or own any animals again.
This dirt bag must be found and sentence to jail, a fine isn’t enough. The owner is responsible for the care and welfare of these dogs the fact he won’t give a name is BS he should be given a massive fine and life ban. Everyone should call Champion Kennels on SA and rename their business to Violent kennels
totally agree with previous commet he must be subhuman (jail)
Pull your head in Colleen.
This animal should be banned from ever owning, training or even being around any dog. This has to be the most disgraceful footage of abuse I've seen by someone that works in an animal based industry. If this is how these poor dogs are treated, shut it down.
Ukrainians in the middle of war manage to treat their animals with respect and care not shown to racing dogs, who are slaves of cruel, secretly abusive owners. There is no way to get the abuse out of the greedy lot except to evolve into a country that doesn't need to abuse animals for entertainment and profit.