Greyhounds often start their life as racing greyhounds.
In WA, racing greyhounds are registered with Racing and Wagering Western Australia.
When greyhounds are retired from racing, they are deregistered and can be adopted as pets through the Greyhounds as Pets program, or through other animal rescue and adoption organisations.
While the Dog Act 1976 generally applies to all dogs in WA, racing greyhounds are exempt from some provisions within the Dog Act.
This is because registered racing greyhounds must comply with additional rules and requirements stipulated by Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA).
Retired racing (pet) greyhounds are subject to the provisions of the Dog Act 1976 but are not subject to the RWWA requirements and regulations.
The Dog Act 1976 currently requires that greyhounds (both racing and pet greyhounds):
In Western Australia, Greyhounds as Pets undertakes the prescribed training program. Greyhounds that have passed this training are granted ‘green collar status’ and do not have to wear a muzzle in public places.
The State Government has announced that it intends to change the law to remove the requirement for pet greyhounds to be muzzled in public places. Racing greyhounds will continue to be required to wear muzzles in all public places by application of the RWWA Rules of Greyhound Racing.
The State Government’s announcement follows community consultation on the statutory review of the Dog Amendment Act 2013 in mid-2019.
1192 written submissions and a 2700 signature petition were received during the statutory review advocating for the removal of the requirement for greyhounds to be muzzled in public places.
While it is expected the requirement for greyhounds to be muzzled will be removed, greyhounds will still be required to be on a lead in a public place.
A public awareness campaign will be launched to inform the community on when the provisions will come into effect and how it will affect different stakeholders.
Greyhounds can make wonderful pets.