Latest news with #dogdeaths
ABC News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Greyhound racing suspended at Queensland's new $85 million track due to unsafe conditions
Races at Queensland's new greyhound track The Q have been suspended after the track was deemed "unsuitable for racing". It comes as the new $85 million facility grapples with a string of dog deaths since trials began at the track in March. The Queensland Greyhound Racing Club (QGRC) said a watering issue was identified prior to trials being conducted ahead of scheduled races for Saturday's Brisbane Cup. In a statement, it said teams worked to resolve the issue to allow the Brisbane Cup to go ahead, but the event was later cancelled midway. Racing Queensland released a statement saying the Q2 track was unsafe for racing and events would be rescheduled. Racing Queensland said it would complete a refurbishment of the track and a new field would be drawn for the postponed event. "A final decision on whether the rescheduled meeting will proceed will be made after the refurbishments are completed including an independent assessment of the track." The postponed Brisbane Cup will take place on Saturday. The venue, which is a collaboration between state government-owned Racing Queensland and local clubs, has a one-turn, two-turn and straight racing tracks. The Queensland government put $44.15 million from the racing infrastructure fund towards the $85 million facility. The Brisbane and Ipswich greyhound clubs have both relocated to the venue. Last month, the ABC revealed at least seven dogs had died due to injuries sustained at the racing track before its official opening. Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds president Amy McMahon, the former Greens member for South Brisbane, said it was worrying that races went ahead on Saturday, despite concerns over the state of the track. "We know that trainers were raising the alarm about The Q prior to the weekend — we had written to the minister that there are issues at The Q that needed to be attended to," she told ABC Radio Brisbane. "They already knew on Friday that the track was unsafe … but they went ahead with at least two races on Saturday." Premier David Crisafulli said he had spoken with the Minister for Sport and Racing Tim Mander, adding that greyhound racing is vital to "who we are as Queenslanders". "The minister is asking the right questions," he said.
CBS News
24-06-2025
- CBS News
Orange County animal trainer charged after at least 11 dogs died in his care
Devastated and grieving dog owners came to Orange County Superior Court on Monday to keep an animal trainer behind bars after at least 11 dogs died while in his care, according to police. Detectives began their investigation into trainer Kwong (Tony) Chun Sit, 53, and his girlfriend Tingfeng Liu, 23, after the dog's owner received a text message from the suspect on Wednesday saying that their dog had died in its sleep and had been cremated, according to the Irvine Police Department. Investigators said 12 canine deaths can be linked to Sit. One of the dog owners, Steve Kotlow, shared the shocking text message he received last week while Sit was caring for his dog. "I'm so sorry to let you know that Luna passed away peacefully during the night while resting," the text message read. "There were no signs of pain or struggle and it was truly unexpected. I am deeply saddened by this loss. Out of respect, I will offer compensation. Luna has been lovingly cremated." Sit faces multiple felony counts of animal cruelty and animal abuse for the deaths of 11 dogs. Liu faces charges as an accomplice. Both have pleaded not guilty. A judge set their bail at $550,000 and ordered the pair to have no contact with any animal. "It just hurts me so much that my dog/my brother has passed away," young dog owner Joseph Hernandez said. "I fear that if Tony is released on bail, I would be terrified, can't sleep, my whole family can't sleep because of this man." Irvine police said they recovered the ashes of one dog and found the bodies of nine more. "We're going to be able to do necropsies to determine how they died, and there are two bodies outstanding that we are currently looking for," police spokesperson Kyle Oldoerp said. Orange County prosecutor Danica Drotman said the necropsies for three of the dogs revealed their cause of death. "Three necropsies indicate that two of the dogs died from heat stroke and one of the dogs died from blunt force trauma," she said. Detectives believe Sit worked with other pet owners in Southern California, under several company names, including "Happy K9 Academy." Irvine police urged any owners whose dogs died while under Sit's care or anyone with information about the case to contact investigators at rsteen@
CBS News
21-06-2025
- CBS News
Irvine police arrest animal trainer and his girlfriend after 10 dogs die in his care
Irvine police arrested an animal trainer and his girlfriend on Thursday after 10 dogs died in his care. Detectives began their investigation into trainer Kwong (Tony) Chun Sit, 53, and his girlfriend Tingfeng Liu, 23, after the dog's owner received a text message from the suspect on Wednesday saying that their dog had died in its sleep and had been cremated, according to the Irvine Police Department. After determining that at least 10 dogs died in Sit's care, officers recovered some of the animals' remains at different crematoriums, according to investigators. "We are working closely with veterinary professionals who will perform necropsies to determine how the dogs died. Our priority is determining if the death of the dogs was accidental or intentional," said in a statement. Officers booked Sit and Liu in Orange County Jail for animal cruelty and destruction of evidence after the attempted cremation of the dogs, according to Irvine PD. Detectives believe Sit worked with other pet owners in Southern California, under several company names, including "Happy K9 Academy." Irvine police urged any owners whose dogs died while under Sit's care or anyone with information about the case to contact investigators at rsteen@
ABC News
05-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Greyhounds die from injuries at The Q greyhound racing track before official opening
At least six dogs have died due to injuries sustained at Queensland's new premier greyhound racing track before its official opening, despite the promise it would be "as safe as possible" for animals. The three-track facility at Purga, near Ipswich, called The Q has been holding trials since March before its official opening this weekend. The Queensland government put $44.15 million from the racing infrastructure fund towards the $85 million facility. The venue, which is a collaboration between state government-owned Racing Queensland and local clubs, has a one-turn, two-turn and straight racing tracks. The Brisbane and Ipswich greyhound clubs have both relocated to the venue. In 2022, then-Racing Minister Grace Grace said the three tracks would have the "health and safety of greyhounds at the heart of design and construction" and the centre would be "as safe for dogs and trainers as possible". But Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds president Amy MacMahon, the former Greens member for South Brisbane, said dozens of dogs had been injured during the trials. "This is supposed to be the most advanced and safest greyhound racing complex in the world but it even before the official opening," she said. The Coalition claims seven dogs have died during trials. The ABC has been able to independently confirm six of those deaths. In correspondence with the Coalition, seen by the ABC, the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission said two greyhounds sustained hock fractures in late March and had to be euthanised. Steward reports showed Federal Recall died after a trial on April 21 and Travis' Scrub died after a trial on May 17. Feed Him Mungo was injured during a trial on April 25 and industry database FastTrack now lists the dog as deceased. It's a similar case for Hara's Mickey, who was injured on May 12 and is now listed as deceased on FastTrack. The Coalition claims there has been 16 deaths so far this year in Queensland. Ipswich resident Amanda Holly, who is the campaign manager of AnimalKind, (formerly known as Animal Liberation Queensland) said there was no way to make greyhound racing safe for the animals. "There's always promises that it's going to be safer and [have] better welfare for greyhounds, but greyhound racing just can't ever be made safe," she said. "The speeds these dogs are travelling at, the amount of dogs on the track, all trying to get to that one lure, it's just not an activity that's safe. "It's why so many countries in the world don't have this industry anymore. Claims that it can be made safe is whitewashing." Ms Holly said she was also concerned about the impact the facility would have on her community when it came to gambling. Racing Queensland declined to be interviewed, but in a statement a spokesperson said the organisation placed the "welfare of its animals at the heart of its decision making". The spokesperson said Racing Queensland delivered close to $1 million in greyhound welfare initiatives in the 2024 financial year. "In collaboration with the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, we continue to explore and adopt new strategies to reduce the incidence of injury in greyhounds at race meetings in Queensland," the spokesperson said. "This includes analysis of injury data and research into risk factors for injury, and strategies to optimise track curation processes. A spokesperson for the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission said the regulator remained "committed to reducing injury rates among racing greyhounds". "[We are] continuously exploring and adopting new strategies, including enhanced analysis of injury causes through the Racing Injury Working Group, and providing ongoing education to participants on best practices in greyhound care," the spokesperson said. Ms MacMahon said the state government needed to undertake an "urgent safety review" into the industry. "The community no longer supports greyhounds dying for international gambling companies," she said. Her comments were echoed by Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard, who has previously spoken out against the new track. "I'd like to see an actual independent body established, that's separate to the industry, to scrutinise the industry," Ms Howard said. "[In the meantime] we've got a number of bodies who are keeping a very close eye on what's going on out there, and we need to pay attention to what they're telling us." Ms Howard said more than 10,000 submissions against the track were received when it was first proposed. She said similar tracks in other cities had been repurposed for different sports and was hopeful one day that will happen to The Q. "We need sporting facilities, we're heading into the Olympics," she said. A spokesperson for Racing Minister Tim Mander said the state government took animal welfare "very seriously". "We are committed to ensuring all racing animals are afforded high standards of care which is why it is a key priority for the Racing Review," they said. The Queensland Greyhound Racing Club, which operates out of The Q, was contacted for comment.
