New Welfare Regulations For Greyhounds

[gillbear]

GREYHOUND racing authorities in NSW and Victoria have introduced new animal welfare regulations after criticism that thousands of dogs are put down each year due to over breeding.

The new welfare standards include tighter controls on breeding and compliance.

The changes mean the number of greyhounds a trainer is allowed to train will also be limited according to their licence type.

Dogs will be required to stay under the care of a registered owner for their lifetime, unless retired as a pet.

Greyhound Racing NSW chairwoman Eve McGregor said the new regulations will result in greater education among breeders, trainers and rearers.

"The animal welfare strategy ... will ultimately deliver world-class levels of care for all racing greyhounds," she said.

In its submission to a NSW parliamentary inquiry into the greyhound racing industry on Thursday, the RSPCA said over breeding had led to thousands of dogs being euthanased when they fail as racers.

"There's clear evidence of mass over breeding of greyhounds in NSW resulting in a vast population of surplus unwanted dogs," said RSPCA Australia Scientific Officer Jade Norris.

http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/rspca-seeks-greyhound-protection-in-nsw/story-e6frfku9-1226819415600

[Steve]

I can just see them policing this too.

[shantiah]

You can read more about this HERE and HERE

[Salukifan]

Greyhound Racing NSW chairwoman Eve McGregor said the new regulations will result in greater education among breeders, trainers and rearers.

It will be a cold day in hell when regulation alone results in greater education of anyone.

[shantiah]

People/Participants

National approach to education

Develop formal education modules on

relevant topics for delivery to all

participants, including the option of

progressing to the completion of a formal

qualification of Certificate 2 in Racing

(Greyhounds) through the national

Vocational and Education framework;

Development of Fact Sheets covering all

aspects of the industry to support

education material;

and

All new participants to be assessed on

core competencies before obtaining the

relevant licence.

[shantiah]

Move towards all people that care for

greyhounds at any stage of the lifecycle

(until retirement) being registered with

peak bodies;

Introduce a tiered system of trainer

licence types which stipulate how many

greyhounds trainers are able to train;

and

Ongoing licensing by peak bodies to be

subject to inspection and compliance with

maintenance of facility standards.

Inspection & compliance

All facilities at which greyhounds are

housed with licensed people, throughout

their lifecycle, to be subject to regular

inspection;

and

All new facilities/kennels to be compliant

with relevant codes of practice

[shantiah]

Surely both the above are a move in the right direction albeit much overdue.

I do not see our own Canine Councils implementing kennel inspections and core competencies before handing out licences

[Brandiandwe]

It's a start..... And those involved who want to do the right thing and already are doing the right thing, will support these moves.

[WreckitWhippet]

Surely both the above are a move in the right direction albeit much overdue.

I do not see our own Canine Councils implementing kennel inspections and core competencies before handing out licences

Agreed, it was already far tougher to get obtain and owner/trainer licence than to simply pay your money, sit an open book exam and be blessed with CC's approval to breed.

At least for the Grey's someone actually came to the house, inspected the kennels, measure them, checked the papers against tats, asked a series of questions regarding the dogs care and racing regulations.