Racing WA stewards conducted an inquiry on 28 November 2024 into reports received from the ChemCentre in Perth and Racing Analytical Services Limited (VIC), that arsenic in excess of the threshold of 800ng/mL had been detected in the sample taken from Hoot’s Me Mum after winning Race 1 at Mandurah on 25 September 2024.
At the inquiry, evidence was heard from:
- Chem Centre representative – Dr B Dorakumbura
- Racing WA Regulatory Veterinarian - Dr J Medd
- Racing WA Investigator – Mr P Criddle
- Trainer of Hoot’s Me Mum – Ms J Thompson
- Owner – Ms L Nelson
After considering all the evidence provided at the inquiry, Ms Thompson pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 141(1)(a)
– GAR 141(1)(a) Greyhound to be free of prohibited substances.
The particulars being, Ms Thompson, as the trainer and a registered person with Racing WA, presented Hoot’s Me Mum to compete in Race 1 at Greyhounds WA Mandurah on 2024 not free of the prohibited substance Arsenic, evidenced by a concentration level in excess of 800ng/ml in a urine sample taken from the greyhound following it competing and winning that event.
After adjourning to consider submissions made on penalty, stewards determined to issue a $2000 fine.
Further, acting under GAR141 (4), stewards determined to disqualify Hoot’s Me Mum from the race in question, with placings to be amended accordingly and commensurate implications to all prizemoney to apply.
When determining penalty, stewards considered, among other things:
- Ms Thompson’s guilty plea and that this was her first offence in relation to prohibited substances.
- That on the evidence before the stewards, including the reported low level, it was accepted that the source of the arsenic was attributable to the greyhound having access to and chewing chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated timbers.
- Previous penalties imposed in relation to such offences.
- The need for suitable deterrence and warning to the industry to take pre-emptive measures to ensure compliance with the rules given the potential for such exposures to CCA treated timbers to result in breaches of the rules.
WARNING TO ALL TRAINERS
It is not a defence to a charge under Rule 141 that the source of any prohibited substance was environmental. The risks to potentially breaching the prohibited substance rules through exposure to arsenic caused by ingestion of CCA treated timbers is known.
Trainers are therefore warned that they must take suitable steps to ensure they prevent access of greyhounds in their care to CCA treated pine timber products or any other products that may present a similar risk of an elevated arsenic level.
Whilst any future case would be determined on its own specific merits, in view of the warning now issued, failure to adequately respond or take suitable steps to address greyhounds chewing CCA treated timbers which results in breaches of the rules, may result in higher penalties, including suspensions or disqualifications, being issued in future.