Although the greyhound racing industry in Victoria is governed by Local and National Rules of Racing that apply to greyhound racing participants, these rules do not override state and national laws that apply to everyone, such as laws that dictate what we can and cannot do on our land, and laws that relate to the management, keeping and care of dogs.
In Victoria, the Domestic Animals Act 1994 is the main piece of legislation that relates to the management, control, and ownership of dogs. It applies to all breeds of dog, however, has several specific provisions related to greyhounds.
People who own pet greyhounds (non-GRV greyhounds) must register their greyhounds with their local council, just like any other dog owner has to. GRV registered participants are exempt from registering their greyhounds with their local council through an order made by the Governor in Council but are still bound by all other council requirements such as limits on the number of animals they can have on a property without an excess animal permit etc.
Currently, under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, GRV participants (or any person in charge of the greyhound) must ensure that, when in public, the greyhound is:
- muzzled in a manner which is sufficient to prevent it causing injury by biting, and;
- under the effective control of some person by means of a chain, cord or leash, even in designated off-leash areas.
GAP green-collared greyhounds are exempt, through another Governor in Council Order, from wearing a muzzle in public (they must still be ‘under effective control’ and leashed)
However, on 23 April 2018, the Minister for Agriculture announced that from 1 January 2019 pet greyhounds will no longer be required to be muzzled in public.
For more information on the requirements of greyhounds under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 click here.
