Stewards Inquiry – Ms Gemma Tovey
4 March, 2015
Greyhound
RWWA Stewards today concluded an inquiry into the convictions of Licensed Owner/Catcher Ms Gemma Tovey in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on 12 January 2015.
As a result of those convictions Ms Tovey was prohibited from being in charge of or having contact with any animal for a period of 5 (five) years. Further, an Intensive Supervision Order of 200 hours of Community work for each charge (total 800 hours) was imposed. Ms Tovey was also ordered to pay costs of $901.10.
The convictions were in relation to her having the care and control of a number of pets, including a Siberian Husky, a Staffy Cross and a retired pet Greyhound she had acquired via an advertisement on Gumtree. None of the animals were being kept for racing purposes. She was convicted of four offences in total with three being for the abandonment of an animal under her care and the fourth for failing to provide sufficient food and water.
The Stewards’ inquiry was conducted to consider whether her continued participation or association with greyhound racing in Western Australia, would be detrimental to its proper control and regulation.
In this respect RWWA Rule of Racing 95 (8) states;
R95 Penalties
(8) The Controlling Body may impose on a person any one (1) or more of the penalties referred to in sub-rule (1) if-
(a) The person has been convicted of an offence by any court and the Controlling Body is satisfied that
(i) the nature of the offence is such that the person’s continued participation or association with greyhound racing would be detrimental to the proper control and regulation of greyhound racing; or
After hearing submissions from Ms Tovey and taking into account the evidence from the RSPCA and materials relating to the proceedings before the Mandurah Magistrates Court, the Stewards determined pursuant to the above Rule, that Ms Tovey’s continued participation would be detrimental to the proper control and regulation of Greyhound Racing in Western Australia.
After hearing further submissions on penalty, the Stewards’ disqualified Ms Tovey for 15 years and further issued a $5000 fine. In considering an appropriate penalty, Stewards were mindful of the following;
- The nature of the conviction at the Mandurah Magistrates Court
- The seriousness of the case
- The need for deterrence, both general and specific
- The penalty imposed by the Mandurah Magistrates Court