Call to ban greyhound racing over live baiting scandal as trainer is suspended and ‘could face criminal charges’ after raid

A live baiting scandal has erupted in the Victorian greyhound racing industry, prompting a renewed call for the sport to be banned.

A greyhound trainer and fellow registered industry member were immediately suspended on Tuesday after evidence of luring and baiting was found during a targeted inspection of a property at Lara, near Geelong.

Investigations are continuing but Greyhound Racing Victoria chief executive officer Stuart Laing flagged the pair could face criminal charges over the breaches.

‘The industry has zero tolerance for any baiting offences, which not only impact animal welfare but also undermine the integrity of the sport and damages the reputation of the greyhound racing industry,’ he said in a statement.

Four Corners uncovered shocking footage of live animals being attached to mechanical lures for greyhounds to chase (pictured)

‘Our greyhound racing integrity unit is highly vigilant and will investigate allegations and evidence and take appropriate action, including consideration of any potential criminal breaches of Victoria’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 as well as offences under the rules of racing.’

Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, who was part of a Victorian parliamentary inquiry that last week recommended a ban on recreational duck shooting from next year, said she was not surprised by the discovery.

‘With such an insufficient and irregular compliance schedule – how many more [properties] are going unchecked,’ she wrote on social media.

‘Shut it down.’

A Victorian MP from the Animal Justice Party has called for the sport to be banned after the results of the inspection in Victoria came to light (stock image)

In 2015, ABC program Four Corners exposed live baiting on tracks in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.

It showed graphic footage of small animals being tied to mechanical lures on which they were chased, caught and savaged by greyhounds.

The program led to several state inquiries and spurred the NSW government to announce it would outlaw greyhound racing in the state before the former Liberal premier Mike Baird reversed the decision.

Victoria opted against a ban in favour of sweeping reforms and a new integrity model.

It comes after former Victorian police chief Graham Ashton was recently appointed to lead an independent inquiry into South Australian greyhound racing after the release of footage showing a trainer kicking and punching a dog.