Cockyaleg

Yes, it is, but given the type of case unlikely. The actual rule is: "If the jury can’t reach a unanimous verdict after a reasonable time, the judge may accept a majority verdict: In criminal cases, this means one juror can disagree. In civil cases, one-quarter of the jury can disagree."

Jury or judge. A judge must rule on the evidence and points of law. Only have to convince him. A jury composed of 12 individuals, all with a degree of personal bias. How they view animal welfare will have a bearing on how they process the information and the decision they make. A juror who sees a dog's role as a family pet only will unconsciously view the evidence with bias. He has a choice, he would be unwise to try and sway 12 members of the public.

He will probably elect a judge-only trial.

That is yet to be officially confirmed. There were I believe 9 original supporting witnesses. More may have come forward since. We are yet to know the results from the forensic samples and electronic communications. There is sufficient evidence for the crown prosecutor to proceed to court or the case would have been dropped. The SPCA only brings to court cases it believes it can win.

I have been involved in this industry for a reasonable amount of years and I have only heard accusations leveled at four trainers in that time, twice since 2012 when the new rules came into effect. I am outraged by the photos, I am outraged that a participant would practice any form of baiting, I am outraged that this is I believe the 4th formal complaint against the same kennel, I am outraged by the cruelty, I am outraged by the disdain and contempt this kennel has demonstrated toward the industry and its participants, and I am outraged that they have been constantly promoted on our website and by trackside since the investigation began. I am also totally outraged by the lack of previous effort to investigate, the current attitudes of those who support the kennel, and the lack of spine from those who never came forward or withdrew statements. I'm also outraged by the deliberate manipulative behaviour that still continues. I have nothing but outrage and contempt.

Still ultimately responsible for every action her staff takes whether she is on the property or not. Her husband follows her instructions as he is just a kennel hand. To give her husband full control in her absence is no defense.

Great post. I think the key to what appears to be a partial warning off goes back to the recent harness debacle also handled by the RIU. I am presently reading up on the warning offs handed down and the challenges that followed those actions. The appeals were successful, and for most if not all it was business as usual shortly after. I believe the kennel should be shut down as their continuation comes across as weak, worse to the general public. But I have to say, based on the harness action to make the same mistakes twice would see the kennel successfully appeal with no further action able to be undertaken, until the conclusion of the SPCA case. I like many others are waiting to hear what the actual charges are, that won't be known until the 7th of May. His lawyers would have been working overtime, challenging any attempt to release that information earlier. He may also apply for name suppression which could see the media in trouble even though the notice of investigation is nearly to years old. This could be a legal minefield. The challenges could be protracted as you say. Looking at the legalities of this case I believe this was the only action that would be successful at this time. Who knows, on the 8th of May the situation may change or not. We just have to wait.

At this point yes. He cannot enter the track to trial or race. It's not what the masses want but it is a start. In the interim, we do not have to see or hear his smug, arrogant self, and I can live with that for now. Wasn't so long ago he was spouting that the case would never see the light of day, he was going to sue everyone and anyone involved, and where would the industry be without him. Well, Mr. Uphimself has come a cropper and it will be destroying his narcissistic bigtime ego to not be allowed on the track. I'm picking that there may be further action dependent on his court appearance in May. We are all yet to hear the charges.

Brendon owns a number of dogs on his own. Dogs owned in partnership can be transferred to other trainers. But there will be no movement without the board's approval. They could agree to trainer transfers, they could deny ownership transfers for all, they could just allow the partnership dogs to continue and remove Cole from the papers.

Today's events will no doubt have a profound effect on the kennel dynamics.

And I would say that will happen, not fast enough for most, but will happen. The SPCA case is separate, I don't think they can afford to act after the case concludes, but they can lay further charges.

I have seen ALL the photos as have many others. Yes, Tyla is in a photo, but on the outside of the bullring wearing a cap and Tyla has dark hair. There are two other males inside the bullring with Cole, one is partly obscured. Both are similar in appearance except for their age and build, both resemble employees at that time, Ivan and Sam. Strange that Sam, Ivan, Tyla, Madii, Georgie all left at the same time. Maybe that was just a coincidence but it left Cole severely understaffed. Tyla has never had the build or height or hair colour of the person holding the lure arm.

Not knocking what you have said Kiwi, but is their unequivocal evidence that she no longer resides at the kennels? Can that be proven if I were to query the situation with head office?

I watched the race on the telly with another senior trainer, so like many others had the benefit of replays. The dog marred. We both saw a holiday on the agenda. I have yet to see a dog cramp that is able to keep up with a field, and definitely not one able to contest a podium finish for a 100 m's. Cramp ties up muscle effectively preventing a dog from fully stretching out. How he gets away with this BS time and time again astounds me.

He actually said he was going to sue everyone, the GRNZ, the SPCA, and whoever was responsible for the photos. Also had a major rant when the new animal welfare rules came into effect, maybe he was going to sue MPI and our welfare officer as well. Who knows. Always has plenty to say does our Brendan, not to keen on anyone else's opinion though.

Trevor, there was anger 18 months ago when the SPCA investigation began and participants were told, "We can't move until the SPCA has concluded their investigation." Well, the investigation has now concluded. A statement has been made which basically read "we are in the dark." Surely you would make a few phone calls to the appropriate people and turn the lights on, would you not? The court date was available through the Palmerston North District Court on the same day the statement was made. Calls from various political groups have called for GR to be shut down. I don't think you have any idea what effect this situation has had on participants. The AB analogy was a poor choice, there have been a number of indiscretions that were dealt with immediately with players being stood down pending investigations. Our court system locks people up, sometimes for years before a case comes to court. That makes a mockery of innocent until proven guilty. How many people do you think are in custody awaiting trial? In the Australian LB scandal, industry and SPCA investigations ran parallel. I agree that some comments go too far. As for the activists, they will say and do whatever suits their agenda. They have a history of making it up.

The narcissistic partnership steered by Rendle, embarked on a plan of world domination. Cole who wasn't bestowed with the accolades he believed he deserved to that point, relished the opportunity to see his name in lights. Rendle craving the group winners that had alluded him for so long ditched his previous partners an orchestrated a plan which would give him the power to achieve his personal needs. The machine was born, it rolled on past the board while they napped. Fast forward. That fame, domination, and success the pair so desperately craved is about to bear fruit. Not the juicy, shiny, crisp variety, the dirty, rotten, fallen type. This will be the first case of cruelty to be prosecuted in NZ involving an industry participant. Regardless of proven guilt or innocence, the infamy will linger long after the case concludes. I have no idea who was behind the sting that finally made authorities stand up and take notice after previous allegations had been abandoned and ignored. I don't for one minute believe the action was one of jealousy. The witnesses have nothing to gain from coming forward, and to do so is a courageous action. I have genuine respect for those people.

And that is the rule that should have been invoked 18 months ago!

Is that the date of depositions or charging?

Well, it is now official, our lot officially have nothing to say. Can't say anything cos' we don't know anything but when we do, we will eventually let you all know. Statement released this arvo via email and on site.

So we have all agreed the situation is unacceptable. So instead of bitching at each other, what happens if our lot do nothing? Then what? Anyone got any serious suggestions??? There has been no press release or advisory to LP's, yet Newshub and others have been very active. An just as an aside, the public stayed away from the track today. That is very worrying.

Lay off Sammy! She is a good kid, never nasty, doesn't do confrontation. Never causes anyone any harm. She gets through race meetings her way, just like we all do.

Agree, there are more pressing issues. What about a class action or some other legal challenge? Failure to protect participants from harm, failure to protect our reputation, stress caused, there must be something we can do collectively. Any suggestions welcomed.

I have a bad feeling about the chances of our leaders doing right by the rest of us. And that feeling comes from the stuff up with those charged in harness. Truly hoping I'm wrong. ? And Rendle you coward, if no offense was committed , why hide behind your door.

True Greyhounder, the difference being Freeman/Turnwald share the workload. Lisa Cole is a fulltime teacher, her greyhound title is an absolute lie.