Push to add rehomed racing dogs to muzzle-free law changes move

A PUSH for Brightside Farm Sanctuary’s rehomed greyhounds to be added to an amendment removing the requirement for greyhound adoption program dogs to be muzzled in public has received a boost.

Brightside Farm Sanctuary founder Emma Haswell with some of her rehomed greyhounds. Picture: KIM EISZELE

A PUSH by Brightside Farm Sanctuary to add its rehomed greyhounds to an amendment that would remove the requirement for greyhound adoption program dogs to be muzzled in public has received a boost.

Tasmania is the only state without a program to assess pet greyhounds for an exemption from wearing a muzzle in public.

In July, Tasracing applied to the State Government for the Dog Control Act 2000 to be amended so greyhounds which graduated from its Greyhound Adoption Program could go muzzle-free.

The application is about to go into a consultation process with local councils and it is understood any initial changes would be limited to GAP dogs.

Brightside founder Emma Haswell has written to the Government to discuss adding greyhounds rehomed by her organisation to the amendment.

However, she says she has not heard back even though her organisation rehomes the largest number of ex-racing greyhounds in the state.

“It’s bizarre, I don’t know why they wouldn’t consider us,” she said.

“When you think we have rehomed more greyhounds than anyone else, you would think we would at least be part of the discussions.

“We are not extremists or radical people.”

Ms Haswell’s push may have the backing of Tasracing, with chair Dean Cooper saying every ex-racing greyhound should have the chance to be assessed on not wearing a muzzle.

“We would hope the legislation in Tasmania could be changed so that we are in line with the rest of the country, effectively giving the dog a green tag,” he said.

“Any greyhound is the responsibility of the racing industry and regardless of whether it comes from a facilitated Tasracing GAP facility or whether it comes from Brightside, or anywhere else, it should have the opportunity to wear a green tag.”

Reconsideration of laws requiring the muzzling of greyhounds in public was a recommendation of a report by the parliamentary committee into Tasmania’s greyhound racing industry.

Greens animal welfare spokeswoman Andrea Dawkins called on the State Government to consider extending the scope of any potential change to encompass other organisations.

“We hope the Government isn’t only considering applying muzzle changes to dogs rehomed by the Greyhound Adoption Program,” she said.

The Hobart Dog Walking Association passed a resolution at its annual general meeting to lend its support to the push to allow greyhounds be muzzle-free in public.

Originally published as Push to add rehomed racing dogs to muzzle-free law changes move