Evidence before the NSW Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC) can make for uncomfortable reading. Two GWIC investigations are reported below. Warning: contains language which some readers may find offensive.
INCIDENT (A): MARK GATT
From THE GREYHOUND RECORDER (2 Aug 2022): Mark Gatt Disqualified For Seven Months
“Leading NSW trainer Mark Gatt has been disqualified for seven months on conduct related matters” that occurred at Wentworth Park on 23 July 2022.
From GWIC DISCIPLINARY ACTION DECISION (2 Aug 2022):
“(1) Mr Gatt did a thing that in the opinion of the Controlling Body was improper and constituted misconduct by striking the greyhound ‘Hudson Road’ on it’s face.
(2) Mr Gatt used contemptuous, unseemly, improper, insulting or offensive language towards or in relation to GWIC Stewards.”
During the course of the inquiry, Mr Gatt used the following language towards or in relation to the Stewards:
- “…he’s just a bit of a poof”;
- · “It’s fucking – if a dog hits you in the fucking head, you fucking hit the cunt.”;
- · “I’ve just fucking told you what happened—“;
- · “—you’re fucking pissing me off.”;
- · “Just shut up and listen to me.”;
- · “The dog hit me in the fucking head and I reacted to it.”;
· “I fucking…clipped him”; - · “If someone hits you in the head, you just fucking – well I do, I know that.”;
- · “You are treating me like a fucking idiot.”;
- · “The dog’s a fucking faggot…”
- · “You’ve got an explanation about the dog hitting me in the head and me reacting
and hitting the cunt.”; - · “You’re just trying to piss me off.”; and
- · “Well, I couldn’t give a fuck. I couldn’t give a fuck.”
INCIDENT (B): SHAYNE STIFF
From AUSTRALIAN RACING GREYHOUND (10 June 2020): Dubbo greyhounds President Shayne Stiff suspended over verbal tirade
“Licensed bookmaker, owner, trainer and breeder Shayne Stiff has been suspended by the NSW Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC) over a furious and offensive verbal spray including racial slurs at a Bathurst greyhound meeting.”
From GWIC DISCIPLINARY ACTION DECISION (9 June 2020):
Charges:
(1) On 7 September 2019, Mr Stiff used contemptuous, unseemly, improper, insulting and offensive language towards a Club official.
(2) On 7 September 2019, Mr Stiff engaged in conduct which was detrimental and prejudicial to the interest, welfare, image, control and promotion of greyhound racing.
(3) On 7 September 2019, Mr Stiff used contemptuous, unseemly, improper, insulting and offensive language towards two Stewards.
Excerpt from GWIC investigation:
- Shortly into race 7, Mr Stiff was heard to be shouting, including “stop the fuckin’ race, this a no fuckin’ race, you are all fuckin’ idiots”.
- Mr Stiff walked into the catching pen / track area while the race was still going, waved his arms about and shouted statements, including “It’s a fucking no race”, “There is fuckin stuff on the track, it will be a no race” and “Hold your fuckin’ tickets, Bathurst always fucks with our dogs.” Mr Stiff was asked to move back to the side fence, which he did.
- The greyhounds were about 100 metres away from the catching pen area. While the Club Official was walking down the track to the catching pen, Mr Stiff, while looking at the Club Official, 2-3 metres away and waving his arms about, screamed: “You are a useless stupid black cunt.”
- Mr Stiff left the catching pen with the greyhound he caught prior to the microchip of the greyhound being scanned and walked towards the Stewards’ Tower. The Club Official, at the same time, walked along the outside of the track and challenged Mr Stiff to fight, but an altercation did not ensue.
- As Mr Stiff was walking towards the Stewards’ Tower, he was heard to yell and scream, making statements including profanities, such as: “It’s a fucking no race ya fuckin’ idiot”, “It’s a no fuckin race” and “It’s got to be a fucken no race, the fucking tyres were on the track!” Mr Stiff could be heard from the public betting area where members of the general public, including children, were present.
- Mr Stiff gave his dog away and entered the Stewards’ Room. Two Stewards were present reviewing race 7. Mr Stiff was agitated, very confrontational and yelled, while in close proximity to the Stewards, offensive language at them, which was heard to include:
“[You are a] fucking embarrassment to the industry”;
“…you GWIC cockheads…”;
“You fucking idiots, you fucking imbeciles, that cunt, cockhead staff members,
this club’s a fucking joke”;
“…you’re a bunch of cunts, you’re fucking disgraceful”;
“Cockhead staff”;
“Fucking cockheads the lot of you”.
SOURCES
https://www.thegreyhoundrecorder.com.au/news/mark-gatt-disqualified-for-seven-months-43667