Code help day for greyhound submissions

Greyhound Racing Victoria will host a Code Help day at Warragul to assist participants to make submissions on the Victorian Government’s draft Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds.

GRV staff will be on hand to explain the draft Code submission process and participants can book an individual 45-minute session between 9am-5pm with a GRV staff member if they need assistance.

In the past fortnight, GRV has worked with clubs and the Greyhound Owners Trainers and Breeders Association to hold seven independently run forums across Victoria to better understand participants’ views and help them make submissions.

The forums provided an opportunity for participants to discuss the draft code, identify areas of key industry concern, and put forward ideas for change, including alternative drafting.

GRV staff also attended these events as observers to listen to participants’ feedback and hear their suggestions on the draft code, which will also inform GRV’s own response to Government.

The draft code covers the management of a greyhound’s whole life cycle, from breeding and rearing, to training and racing, to retirement and rehoming.

It also contains mandatory minimum requirements for housing, exercise, socialisation, mental stimulation, record keeping and staffing.

The draft code is in direct response to the Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Charles Milne’s report on animal welfare in 2015.

When finalised, the new code will replace the current code for the Operation of Greyhound Establishments, which has been in place since 2006.

Greyhound Racing Victoria chief executive Alan Clayton said the consultation period, which runs until August 14, is the opportunity for our participants to have their say on the draft Code to ensure that their views are taken into account before the DEDJTR develops a final version of the code.

“I urge all our participants to read the draft code and make a submission highlighting what they like about the draft code and the things they don’t like,” he said.

“It’s also important that people making submissions propose alternatives rather than just say, no, I don’t like this.

“At the end of the day we all want a thriving greyhound racing industry in Victoria which places animal welfare as its priority.”

The Code Help day at Warragul will be held on July 24.

To book email info@grv.org.au with your choice of venue or phone member services on 8529 1100.