Greyhound Adoption Program – Animal Throughput Policy

Ms O’CONNOR question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

I know that the minister has an answer to a question that I asked yesterday on education, but this is a question that was given with notice to the Leader of Government Business on Tuesday, which I will now read in.

1. Has the Greyhound Adoption Program formally adopted the March 2023 Animal Throughput Policy, which endorses a higher rate of so-called euthanasia for former racing greyhounds?
2. How many dogs have been euthanased since 1 October 2023 to date?
3. Can the minister confirm among those killed was a healthy, well socialised greyhound called Roman, that I met at a visit to GAP last year? She was a really beautiful dog, apparently has been killed since.
4. How many greyhounds have been homed in that period?
5. What effort is GAP making to encourage higher levels of greyhound adoption through the program?
6. What process is being undertaken to appoint a permanent GAP manager?
7. Will the new manager of GAP have professional experience in, and a commitment to, strong animal welfare outcomes for greyhounds sent to GAP for adoption?

 

ANSWER

Mrs HISCUTT – Mr President, I thank the member for the question.

1. No, this was a draft discussion paper and was not adopted.
2. One greyhound was euthanased on behavioural grounds and one greyhound suffered a serious medical emergency and was euthanased on the surgery table on veterinarian advice.
3. Roman was deemed a dangerous dog under the Dog Control Act by the Director of Racing, having a noted history of biting. Roman was euthanased by veterinarians on 25 October 2023.
4. A total of 50 greyhounds were adopted from 1 October 2023 to 30 April 2024.
5. All greyhounds entering GAP – the Greyhound Adoption Program just for clarity – are now required to be desexed, saving valuable time. Since the 15 January 2024, Tasracing has added funding for dentals and C5 vaccinations to its desexing initiative to minimise vet visits while at GAP. This is a good one. This program is known as the new Greyhound Retirement Preparation Scheme or GRPS. Increased fostering capacity from two to seven foster homes, providing additional training in a domestic setting for greyhounds to become adoption ready, doubling the GAP behaviourist contact time to two days per week to increase staff training, and the rate of behavioural assessment and modification work provided for all GAP greyhounds. All kennel attendants are receiving ongoing training to reinforce individually tailored behavioural program daily.

An express entry lane is currently being trialled for six months for expedited access of dogs to GAP by reserving a proportion of kennel capacity of four kennels initially.

Additional training by their trainer or owner to increase their adoptability.

Since July 2023, the waiting list time average at GAP has been reduced from 9.5 months to seven months, and two months ago GAP rehomed its 1000^th greyhound.

6. Acting arrangements remain in place until further notice.
7. Tasmania Racing will ensure the substantive appointment is experienced in and committed to strong animal welfare outcomes.