By Casey Neill
Proposed new greyhound industry controls are threatening Sandown Greyhound Racing Club’s future, says one MP.
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich said the State Government’s draft code of practice proposed strict new requirements that owners must comply with, regulating everything from minutes of play each day to fencing height and washing dog bowls.
She said that greyhound owners and industry groups had raised concerns that the code had gone too far and compliance could put some of them out of business.
She said the code was banning the industry by stealth.
“Sandown Greyhound Racing Club has a long and strong history in City of Greater Dandenong and is an important part of our social fabric, as well as being a strong economic contributor,” Ms Peulich said.
“The future of this club and those who are involved with it and enjoy a night out at the greyhounds should not be threatened by the current over regulation being proposed.”
A spokesman for Sandown Greyhounds said “participants have identified a number of issues with the code, and we will be working with them to ensure they have the opportunity to voice their concerns during the consultation period”.
“Greyhound racing in Victoria has come a long way in the last few years and as a sport will continue to ensure that the welfare of the greyhound is our highest priority,” he said.
The proposed code provides management requirements for the entire lifecycle of a racing greyhound “to promote positive animal welfare and minimise unnecessary euthanasia of dogs”.
It addresses early management and training practices to improve the number of dogs achieving race status to reducing industry wastage, provides a rehoming program, and gives guidance to carers on identifying greyhounds who were showing signs of stress.
The code is due to come into effect next year.
Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/pets/dogs/greyhounds/code-of-practice by 14 August to make a submission.
