Two trainers charged over alleged greyhound abuse in South Australia

Two South Australian greyhound trainers have been charged by the racing body after horrific footage emerged showing dogs being kicked and beaten.

Greyhound Racing South Australia has laid multiple charges against two trainers after the drone video showed greyhounds allegedly being kicked, punched and dragged while the dogs cowered and tried to run away on a property near Murray Bridge in Adelaide's south-east.

The charges include ill-treatment of a greyhound, not exercising the care of the dogs to prevent pain or suffering, causing or permitting dangerous behaviour to health, welfare and safety of a greyhound on a property and carrying out conduct that is detrimental to the promotion of the industry.

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If the trainers are found guilty at a hearing, they would face a maximum two year's disqualification and a loss of registration for 10 years.

The trainers remain suspended indefinitely to face a hearing before the Integrity Hearings Panel.

"That these charges have been laid less than 48 hours after we first saw the vision is a reflection of how seriously we take the welfare of our animals and how disgusted we were by this vision," CEO Bodelle Francis said.

"The matter will now be referred to the independent Integrity Hearings Panel for determination."

Francis said the body would support any criminal investigation if it were to be pursued by authorities.

Video emerged on Wednesday that was taken by a whistleblower who alleged the incidents of animal cruelty were documented over a two-and-a-half-week period at the property in June.

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Premier Peter Malinauskas condemned the incident and announced an independent review into the greyhound racing industry.

"This strikes me as animal cruelty at some of its worst and you can't help but get angry when you see footage like this. It's plainly inhumane," he said.

"We were told that live baiting doesn't happen in South Australia then we found out that it did.

"We were told that this type of behaviour doesn't happen and now we find out it does so I'm not going to take the industry's assurances as gospel anymore."

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