4. Detailed recommendations The sections below provide more detailed information, evidence and specific recommendations across five key areas. 4.1 Animal In Victoria there are five Codes of welfare rules, Practice made under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 codes and (DAA) that relate to the management of standards The regulatory framework that governs dog-related businesses. These Codes are animal welfare in the greyhound industry enterprise-specific and outline the is complicated. Relevant statutory minimum standards required for housing, requirements, regulations and minimum exercise, enrichment, socialisation and standards are spread across multiple care. These Codes are mandatory if an Acts and their subordinate documents. establishment meets the definition of a The Review has considered this Animal under ‘Domestic Business’ (DAB) regulatory Section 3 of the DAA. framework in detail and found considerable deficiencies with the The Code of Practice for the following: Operation of Greyhound Establishments (COPG) The adequacy of the content of which specifically appplies to – relevant Codes of Practice, in greyhounds registered by GRV is – particular the Code of Practice for the mandatory for greyhound Operation of Greyhound establishments that meet the definition Establishments (COPG); of a DAB. The application of these Codes of Practice to greyhound industry This Review has identified participants; deficiencies in the COPG and finds it lacking in The consistency across the legislation content and scope in relation to all with regard to offences, penalties and facets of the racing greyhound lifecycle. statute of limitations on laying charges; and The other DAA Codes of Practice are The complexity of rules. detailed and enterprise-specific. Compared to these, the COPG is brief (only six pages 4.1.1 Adequacy long) and is intended to apply to all greyhound of Codes of establishments that are breeding, Practice rearing, training or boarding
4. Detailed recommendations The sections below provide more detailed information, evidence and specific recommendations across five key areas. 4.1 Animal welfare rules, codes and standards The regulatory framework that governs animal welfare in the greyhound industry is complicated. Relevant statutory requirements, regulations and minimum standards are spread across multiple Acts and their subordinate documents. The Review has considered this regulatory framework in detail and found considerable deficiencies with the following: The adequacy of the content of relevant Codes of Practice, in particular the Code of Practice for the Operation of Greyhound Establishments (COPG); The application of these Codes of Practice to greyhound industry participants; The consistency across the legislation with regard to offences, penalties and statute of limitations on laying charges; and The complexity of rules. 4.1.1 Adequacy of Codes of Practice In Victoria there are five Codes of Practice made under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 (DAA) that relate to the management of dog-related businesses. These Codes are enterprise-specific and outline the minimum standards required for housing, exercise, enrichment, socialisation and care. These Codes are mandatory if an establishment meets the definition of a ‘Domestic Animal Business’ (DAB) under Section 3 of the DAA. The Code of Practice for the Operation of Greyhound Establishments (COPG) – which specifically appplies to greyhounds registered by GRV – is mandatory for greyhound establishments that meet the definition of a DAB. This Review has identified deficiencies in the COPG and finds it lacking in content and scope in relation to all facets of the racing greyhound lifecycle. The other DAA Codes of Practice are detailed and enterprise-specific. Compared to these, the COPG is brief (only six pages long) and is intended to apply to all greyhound establishments that are breeding, rearing, training or boarding
GreyhoundReport_final_12Nov2015_v9.docx