Rebels bikie allegedly threw 'live rabbit' to greyhounds
As NSW Premier Mike Baird backed down on his greyhound industry ban, a Rebels bikie faced court after a shocking live baiting video allegedly emerged on his mobile phone.
Registered trainer Chad Achurch allegedly threw a live pet rabbit to greyhounds in the backyard of his Cabramatta home, and then filmed the terrible incident.
“The rabbit is alive and can be heard screaming,” police allege in court documents.
A second video allegedly shows a deceased, blood stained rabbit with exposed bones in the mouth of another greyhound.
The 27-year-old bikie was charged with animal cruelty after his ex-partner Renee White reported him to authorities four months ago.
“(Achurch) said to our son ‘we just gave our dog a live feed didn’t we mate?’,” she said.
“He did say to me we have to give them live rabbits and give them live kills cause it will ‘gee them up and make them race better.
“I told him it was disgusting and cruel.”
Lawyers for Mr Achurch, who has been a registered trainer since May, claim the rabbit was a fake lure.
He entered pleas of not guilty, but was refused bail.
“These are serious charges but they are thoroughly denied,” lawyer Mark Runmore said.
The case returns to court in November.
