New Local Rule 42.6
On 1 October 2017, Local Rule 42.6 was amended to improve re-homing rates of greyhounds and reduce unnecessary euthanasia.
The first part of the rule requires an Owner to give their greyhound a minimum of 28 days wind down from racing related activities; and undertake genuine and daily efforts to socialise the greyhound to non-training and non-racing settings and environments.
This rule applies to all Victorian Owners, regardless of where the greyhound is located.
The wind down period should help the Owner understand the type of pet home their greyhound may be suitable for. More information is available in GRV’s ‘Racing to Retirement’ guide.
The greyhound must not engage in any racing related activity during the wind down period. A greyhound can be re-homed at any time during the wind down period. Failure to comply with the wind down period, unless the greyhound is successfully re-homed without it, is a Serious Offence.
The second part of the rule requires an Owner to undertake specific minimum re-homing attempts to avoid euthanasia including:
- seeking to re-home the greyhound with at least two suitable third parties; and
- seeking the greyhound’s admission to the Greyhound Adoption Program; and
- seeking to re-home the greyhound through at least one other animal adoption, re-homing or rescue agency.
These re-homing attempts can be undertaken in any order. Detailed records of the re-homing attempts must be kept and provided if requested – a checklist is available to assist an Owner follow this process and record their re-homing attempts. Once a greyhound is successfully re-homed, the Owner is not required to pursue any other options.
The final part of the rule is the Notice of Intention to Euthanase. Where all attempts at re-homing are unsuccessful, and a decision to euthanase is made, an Owner must submit a Notice of Intention to Euthanase (NOI) via FastTrack at least 14 days BEFORE carrying out the euthanasia. The NOI on FastTrack requires the Owner to certify that they have undertaken the wind down period and made all the required attempts to re-home their greyhound. The wind down activities must continue throughout the NOI period.
Failure to submit a NOI or comply with the mandatory 14 day waiting period is a Serious Offence. If, after submitting the NOI, the Owner wants to trial or race their greyhound, the NOI should be cancelled before commencing training to trial or race. When the greyhound is ready to be retired again, the Owner will need to commence the retirement process from the beginning.
Medical exception to re-homing and NOI requirements
If a greyhound is suffering from a serious medical condition (illness or injury) that causes significant pain or discomfort, or a marked reduction in quality of life, the Owner may be exempt from the wind down, re-homing and NOI requirements of the rule. In these circumstances the Owner must obtain certification from a registered veterinarian in the form prescribed by GRV.
A copy of the GRV Greyhound Euthanasia Certificate template which contains the required certification for a medical exception under LR42.6(e) can be downloaded here.
Behavioural exception to re-homing
If a registered veterinarian certifies that a greyhound is displaying significant behavioural characteristics that negatively impact on its suitability as a pet, including aggression towards humans or other animal, the Owner may apply for an exception from the re-homing requirements of LR42.6. The Owner must still complete the 28 wind-down period and submit an NOI before carrying out the euthanasia.
A copy of the Greyhound Re-homing Unsuitability Certificate, that must be lodged with the NOI if seeking a behavioural exception, can be downloaded here.
A retirement process checklist for Local Rule 42.6 can be downloaded here.
A fact sheet and FAQ’s on Local Rule 42.6 can be downloaded here.
