A Craigieburn greyhound trainer has been suspended and fined by the Victorian Racing Tribunal after being found guilty on eight charges of mistreating greyhounds, involving physical abuse.
Ibrahim Kama, 32, has been a licenced public trainer since 2020, and involved in the greyhound racing industry since 2014.
He pleaded not guilty to seven charges, and guilty to charge eight of breaching the Greyhound Australasia Rules.
Charges one and two arose after Kama attended the Meadows Greyhound Racetrack in Broadmeadows for a booked trial session on September 18, 2023.
It was here he was observed throwing an unnamed greyhound against a metal shed, causing a loud bang and the greyhound to yelp loudly.
Charges three, four, and five occurred this year, on February 3, when Kama threw greyhound ‘Angel Above’ into a holding pen and kicked his rear.
It was also alleged on the same day that Kama handled greyhound ‘Hidden Secrets’ in an aggressive manner in the slipping track. The tribunal heard that he hit her across the snout with his hand and with a muzzle, however, Kama did not face chages over this claim due to a lack of evidence in video footage provided.
Charges six, seven, and eight faced by Mr Kama also relate to an incident with ‘Hidden Secrets’ a few days later on February 6.
He took the female greyhound to the Geelong racetrack for a satisfactory trial.
Prior to the trial, Hidden Secrets underwent a veterinary examination and was deemed to have muscle injuries in her rear limbs and muscle soreness.
Mr Kama was then informed that the greyhound was to be stood down and re-assessed for competition in 28 days.
However, he was found guilty of taking Hidden Secrets out of the pen and taking him to a raceday steward, telling the steward that the greyhound had just been trialled and was all good to go.
The tribunal found Kama failed to follow medical advice, and ran an injured greyhound.
The three member tribunal found that charges 1 to 5 “involve the very important matter of animal welfare”.
“That is something of vital significance to the well-being and future of the industry. We accept that no injury of any significance was suffered by the dogs involved in the present case. That does not excuse your behaviour, but is a factor we take into account,” the tribunal members wrote in their determination.
Kama was handed a 12 month disqualification and a $250 fine, with further penalties suspended for 24 months. The suspended penalties were a further six months disqualification, and a $500 fine.
