On 15 July 2016, the NSW Government introduced the Greyhound Racing Regulation 2016 which requires owners of greyhounds registered in NSW to notify or seek consent from Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) if they want to do certain things with their greyhound.
The Regulation has been prepared following the NSW Government’s decision to close down the greyhound racing industry from 1 July 2017 and will assist in the tracking and welfare of greyhounds during the wind down process.
Notification
The new Regulation requires the owner of a registered greyhound to notify GRNSW, in writing, before transferring the greyhound:
• to another registered owner, or
• to RSPCA NSW, or
• to Animal Welfare League NSW (AWL NSW).
Participants can notify GRNSW by completing the Notification of Transfer Form and sending it to GRNSW at transfers@grnsw.com.au or post it to PO Box 170, Concord West NSW 2138.
Consent
Under the Regulation, a registered greyhound owner is prohibited, except with the written consent of GRNSW, from:
• retiring a greyhound and keeping it as a pet;
• transferring a greyhound to a non-registered person (i.e. a greyhound adoption program other than RSPCA NSW or AWL NSW such as local pound, private sale, friends or family);
• exporting a greyhound overseas, or
• destroying a greyhound.
To request consent from GRNSW, please complete the Consent Form and send it to GRNSW at retirement@grnsw.com.au or post it to PO Box 170, Concord West NSW 2138.
Participants must not retire a greyhound from racing, export a greyhound, transfer a greyhound to a person who is not a registered owner, or destroy a greyhound unless they have received written consent from GRNSW.
In the case of destruction of a greyhound, GRNSW consent is not required if the greyhound is destroyed by a veterinary practitioner in an emergency in order to relieve it of suffering or distress due to injury or illness.
Penalties
Persons found to have breached the Regulation are liable to a maximum fine of up to $550. GRNSW may also take further action against anyone found to have breached the Regulation.
Further Information
Please click here to view some Frequently Asked Questions prepared by GRNSW.
The purpose of the frequently asked questions is to assist all stakeholders following the announcement by the NSW Government that greyhound racing in NSW will be shut down by 30 June 2017.
