A greyhound trainer who fatally bashed the heads of four dogs with a hammer in a “cruel and brutal assault” before burying them under a concrete slab and garden beds has received a $3250 fine and a lifetime ban from racing.
Trevor Leonard Rice was handed the penalty after being found guilty of 18 offences in the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission last week, with animal activists outraged at the “weak” penalty.
The commission found on the civil standard of a balance of probabilities four former racing greyhounds – Itchy McCaw, Diva’s Dream, Double Take, and Big Prince – were killed under the care of Rice, likely by a hammer to the skull.
The findings came after commission inspectors went to Rice’s home in Leevile near Casino in Northern NSW in February 2022 and found the remains of six greyhounds – four of which were found to have blunt trauma to the skull.
The inspectors also found the remains of former racing greyhound When Dell and another unknown greyhound, that did not have trauma to the skull and died of “unknown causes”.
In handing down the penalties, Chief Commissioner Brenton Taylor said Rice was “vague and evasive” throughout the proceedings.
“I cannot think of a more serious offence which could be committed by a greyhound racing industry participant than the wilful and deliberate killing of an animal,” he said.
“This is especially so, in my view, where the death was occasioned by committing a cruel and brutal assault to the dogs, and one inflicted by hand.”
Three greyhound racing industry participants wrote letters of support to the commission, calling Rice “a good man”.
“They believe he is not guilty of the offences, but instead the allegations against Mr Rice are based on rumours, lies and jealousy and motivated by an intent to destroy his career in greyhound racing,” Commissioner Taylor said.
Rice was also found guilty of retiring multiple greyhounds to various third parties and rehoming organisations without informing the commission.
On Tuesday, a petition was published online by animal activists reacting to the decision.
Dog lover Aleesha Wayman started the campaign after she read about Rice’s judgement and was “deeply disturbed”.
“We must send a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated in our society,” she wrote on the petition.
“This is not just about one man or one case; it’s about standing up against animal cruelty everywhere.”
Animal Liberation’s Regional Campaign Manager Lisa Ryan told news.com.au: “The history and the Rice matter has demonstrated yet again that racing greyhounds are viewed and treated as commercial commodities who have no value to the industry at a point in time – then they are disposed of.”
The commission did not pursue any criminal charges against Mr Rice.