Weekes Fighting To Clear Name Amid Charges

PROMINENT breeder Toby Weekes is fighting to have his interim-suspension imposed by the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission overturned.

PROMINENT breeder and owner Toby Weekes is fighting to have his interim-suspension imposed by the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) overturned.

Back on May 20, GWIC officials slapped Weekes with an interim-suspension in regards to allegations that he "failed to seek timely veterinary treatment for a greyhound which resulted in euthanasia" in April 2020.

The incident pertains to Weekes' star producer Kerrigan Bale, dam of a number of racetrack stars, most notably Group 1 winner Just Terms.

While the full brief of allegations hasn't been made public, it's understood Kerrigan Bale became involved in a scuffle with another greyhound at Weekes' property which resulted in injuries requiring the administration of stitches.

"When the incident happened I went straight into fix it mode," Weekes said.

"I gave her pain relief, antibiotics and cleaned the wound as best as I could with stitches. When you get bitten by a snake you don't just sit there and leave it for a few hours while you get to a hospital you do the best you can as soon as you can.

"All I did was the absolute best for her as quickly as I could like I do with all my greyhounds. When you live remotely you need to act quickly sometimes and that's what I did."

The day following the incident Kerrigan Bale's wound began to deteriorate resulting in Weekes seeking veterinary assistance which ultimately resulted in her being euthanised.

"For a day there she was great but as soon as a few of the stitches split I got her to the vet," Weekes said.

"The advice was that it was fixable but it would be a long road to recovery and that euthanasia was an option considering her age and in the end that's the way I went.

"At the time I was still in shock with it all but I maintain all I ever did was what I believed was in her best interests.

"Kerrigan Bale was more than a brood to me she was a mate. Both her and Motown Girl are the only two greyhounds I'd have in the house, sitting there at nights either side while I have a beer watching the footy.”

GWIC's decision to place Weekes under interim-suspension follows their move to lay charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

It means the inquiry won't be held under GWIC's normal internal processes, instead Weekes will need to fight to clear his name in Bathurst local court in February, 2022.

When quizzed on the matter, GWIC officials provided the following statement.

"Mr Weekes has been charged by the Commission with an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. As this matter is currently before the Court, the Commission will not be making any further comment," the statement read.

 "On consideration of the evidence currently before the Commission, and following the commencement of the POCTAA proceeding, the Commission imposed an interim suspension upon Mr Weekes' registrations pending the finalisation of the inquiry into this matter."

Weekes' legal representatives have requested GWIC perform an internal review into the decision to place an interim-suspension on his registration.

If that course of action proves unsuccessful, Weekes will be off to the Appeals Tribunal, in a bid to return to the industry until his case is heard early next year.

"I will fight to clear my name until the very end," Weekes added.

"This isn't the first time GWIC has attempted to prosecute someone like this so it's important the participants stand up for themselves and what's right.

"And that's what I'll be doing here no matter how far I have to go."




 

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