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Keeping NSW Greyhounds Safe with Clever Tech


Technology could be a way to ensure retired Greyhounds stay safe once retired in NSW by introducing a mandatory annual check-up for each dog re-homed with or by a racing industry owner to a third party, said the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG).

“Dog owners who want to ensure a dog’s health already pay for a yearly check-up and teeth clean, so that’s not a big ask," said Mr Dennis Anderson, president of the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG).
CPG President Dennis Anderson with
his rescue Greyhound Comet



"Also, vets now use microchip scanners to ID animals, so the only new wrinkle would be mandatory reporting of an annual scan to the government.”

NSW's greyhound industry regulator already uploads data from microchip scanners used by its inspectors, so it is quite feasible for the Government to extend this practice by collecting annual proof of life data from vets and making it publicly available.

“One of the big problems is that once a dog finishes racing, its future survival is unclear because it no longer has economic value to the racing industry," said Mr Anderson.

"If annual proof of life data was collected, there'd be transparency about what's happening. This would be a cost-effective approach."

At present, the Government only has about 11 inspectors for the estimated 28,000 racing Greyhounds in NSW, so it's not possible to ensure these dogs are being treated well or that they're still alive after they are retired from racing.

Mr Anderson said this uncertainty existed due to loopholes in the current re-homing policy which could result in ex-racing dogs 'disappearing' and being found in mass graves.




CPG's ideas are outlined in more detail in its submission to the recently convened Select Committee inquiry into the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC).

Members of the public who'd like to see a safe retirement ensured for NSW's ex-racing dogs, can use a guide provided by CPG to make their own short submission to the inquiry.

"Given so much public money is given to the industry by the government, taxpayers have a right to know ex-racing dogs in NSW are safe and well," said Mr Anderson.

CPG's proposals are part of a five-point plan developed to reform the racing industry. As well as safer tracks, the plan includes whole-of-life tracking of a greyhound, a reduction in breeding, funding of sanctuaries, and increased penalties for mistreatment.

CPG is a dedicated group of people across Australia who work together to inform the public about the cruelties of greyhound racing. 
CPG always welcomes new volunteers who can apply here.

For more information, visit www.greyhoundcoalition.com or see previous media coverage.


MEDIA RELEASE, 18th November 2020
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