The stewards report for the 5 August 2026 Taree race meeting states: “Mr. (Anthony) Roche was charged under GAR rule156 (g) (ii) for assaulting Mr. Brennan in the kennel block, by striking him. Mr. Roche was given a proposed penalty of a four-month suspension. Mr. Roche pleaded guilty plea to the charge.”
The Daily Telegraph, Coffs Coast Advocate, Mid-North Coast News, and Gold Coast Bulletin reported that: “The penalty came exactly four weeks after Roche completed an earlier suspension imposed over an animal welfare breach.”
Mr Anthony Roche was found guilty in June of striking a greyhound with an “open right hand” in the Taree kennel bay. That suspension expired on 8 July.
As well as the Taree assault, there was a recent fight at the Gosford track, while there was a mass brawl at the Richmond track at the end of last year. Plus, the president of NSW greyhound racing clubs is currently disqualified for assaulting a greyhound.
A CPG spokesperson said: “The industry markets greyhound racing as being great for kids, but it’s a sick gambling business that causes harm to dogs and communities.”
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Stewards’ full record of Roche assault: “Race 7 – Stewards took evidence from Mr. Kevin Brennan, Mr. Anthony Roche, Ms. Melanie Mabbott and Mr. Tony Edmunds regarding an incident that took place in the kennel block prior to the running of race seven. After taking evidence from all parties’ and reviewing the footage from the kennel block, Mr. Roche was charged under GAR rule156 (g) (ii) for assaulting Mr. Brennan in the kennel block, by striking him. Mr. Roche was given a proposed penalty of a four-month suspension. Mr. Roche pleaded guilty plea to the charge. After taking into account his guilty plea and record he was issued with a three-month suspension of his license, to commence from Sunday 9th August.”
GWIC stewards report for 5 August 2026
GWIC June 2026 Roche decision: