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AT THE POST
Why we need disease surveillance
Disease surveillance is integral to reducing the risks associated with infectious disease outbreaks, including kennel cough and gastroenteritis. Understanding the rate of disease occurrence and how these outbreaks spread among the greyhound population is crucial to making sound evidence-based decisions with regards to disease management.
Surveillance can be described as a continuous and systematic process of data collection. This information gives us an idea of the disease status of the greyhound population. Available data is collated and analysed to guide decision making. Veterinary surveillance systems enable GRV and other regulators to identify appropriate actions that should be taken to protect both animal and human health, and lead to a better understanding of diseases that might impact the industry.
SUCCESSFUL CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS ENABLES US TO MINIMISE ANY HEALTH AND WELFARE IMPACTS FOR GREYHOUNDS AS WELL AS ANY EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL IMPACTS FOR PARTICIPANTS.
There are two main types of disease surveillance: active and passive. Passive surveillance involves using information that has already been gathered e.g. participant reports of disease occurrence in their kennels. Active surveillance requires going out and seeking further information e.g. random testing of greyhounds. Other means of disease surveillance could include GRV investigating illness-related scratchings or fluctuations in nomination numbers, or using private veterinary reports following consultation and diagnostic laboratory testing.
Diagnostic testing is a principle means of disease surveillance as it confirms exactly what infectious agent is responsible for causing or contributing to the observed clinical symptoms. Knowing the cause of disease gives us information about how likely it is to spread, how it can be treated and how it can best be managed. The most appropriate diagnostic test will depend on the disease. For example, testing for gastroenteritis will usually require a faecal sample while testing for kennel cough will usually require a nasal or throat swab. These tests should always be conducted by a veterinarian who will either analyse the sample in-house (generally limited tests) or submit it to the laboratory (generally more comprehensive tests). Sometimes blood samples can also be useful to help determine whether your greyhound has antibodies to certain infectious agents; this gives an indication of previous or current infection.
Voluntary reporting is essential to an effective disease surveillance programme, thereby improving the health and welfare of greyhounds, and protecting the health and livelihoods of all the people in the industry. To contribute to passive surveillance, if you are concerned about any symptoms of infectious disease in your greyhounds, speak to your veterinarian and report the information to GRV Veterinary Services at vets@grv.org.au or on (03) 8329 1100.
Victorian Point of Consumption Tax Review
The Victorian Racing Industry (VRI), comprising Racing Victoria (RV), Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) and Harness Racing Victoria (HRV), has welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision to increase the Point of Consumption Tax (POCT) pass-through to the VRI in connection with an impending increase to the POCT rate.
The Victorian Government has today announced that following the passage of legislation, effective from 1 July 2021, the POCT on wagering by Victorian residents will increase from 8% to 10% of Net Wagering Revenue (NWR), bringing it into line with the POCT rate currently in place in New South Wales.
The Government has also announced that the VRI’s gross share of POCT receipts from wagering will be increased from 1.5% to 3.5% of taxable NWR. However, on a net basis, after the deduction of the VRI’s ‘make-whole’ obligation under the remaining term of the current Victorian wagering and betting license, the VRI expects to retain at least 1.7% of taxable NWR under the new POCT arrangements. This is comparable with the NSW racing industry which receives the full 2% industry share of taxable NWR in addition to other favourable wagering taxation arrangements.
Subject to the passage of legislation, the new POCT arrangements are expected to increase the VRI’s net receipts from the POCT by around $20 million per annum from 202122, as compared to the VRI’s expected net receipts under current POCT arrangements.
When introducing the POCT, the Victorian Government committed to the three codes of the VRI that they would be no worse off both individually and collectively under the new tax regime. The Victorian Government has also committed to maintaining the national pre-eminence of the VRI and its competitiveness against interstate racing.
The increase in the VRI’s share of POCT is an important step in closing the gap and addressing the relative Government funding differences between Victoria and New South Wales. Current favourable Government funding arrangements in New South Wales are enabling it to aggressively chase wagering market share and participation from Victoria, thus impacting industry funding, events and tourism.
This increase in funding will assist the industry to fund its operations and support jobs across the state, and also to continue to maintain its investments in prizemoney, important animal and participant welfare initiatives, and the development and maintenance of world-class racing and training facilities and infrastructure.
The VRI is one of Victoria’s most significant industries and makes a substantial contribution to jobs, communities and the state economy. It delivers $4.34 billion in economic value each year – around half of this in regional Victoria – and supports over 34,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
GRV Chair Peita Duncan welcomed the planned changes to the POCT revenue sharing arrangements with the VRI.
“These arrangements will assist in ensuring Victorian greyhound racing continues to be the premium greyhound racing jurisdiction in the world. This will assist us to continue to increase prizemoney to our participants, as well as allowing us to further invest in animal welfare and safe racing initiatives,” Ms Duncan said.
“GRV’s share of this increase is expected to equate to around $3.5 million in additional revenue in the 2021-22 financial year.
“Increasing returns to our participants is a priority for us going forward, as is safe racing with new and upgraded tracks to provide safe workplaces for our dogs, modernising the way we, and our clubs, do business, and of course protecting the ongoing integrity of our sport.
We expect prizemoney returns to participants to be more than $51 million in 20-21 and we will boost that as much as we can in coming years off the back of any increase in revenue.
We thank the Victorian Government for their ongoing support to our industry.”
Scam alert regarding exporting of greyhounds
Greyhound participants are advised to be alert to any approach from people outside of Australia using Facebook or other social media to encourage owners and trainers to sell their racing and retired greyhounds.
It has been reported that some of these people are not genuine and intend to move greyhounds to unregulated countries to create adverse media about the industry.
If you are unsure of your obligations regarding the exporting of greyhounds refer to Local Rule 53 located within GRV’s Local Racing Rules or seek advice from GRV’s Greyhound Racing Integrity Unit (GRIU).
To report any suspicious activity please call the investigations hotline on 1300 856 109 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
MILESTONES
Congratulations to these Victorian greyhounds on recently reaching the following significant milestones.
ARCHITECTURE – 150 starts Apr ’16 Kiowa Mon Manny x Destini Warrior Owner/Trainer: Ron Cameron, Cranbourne Breeder: Nicholas De La Roche, Beacons eld MAGIC LANTERN - 100 starts Sep’16 Lonesome Cry - Katie Merry Owner/Trainer: Andrew Mooney, Amherst Breeder: Ben Riddle, Manifold Heights
WHAT’S UP SKIP – 150 starts Mar ’16 Knocka Norris x Captivating Owner/Trainer: Raymond Floyd, Cobains Breeder: See The Dream Syndicate
CHISELLER – 100 starts Nov '16 Oaks Road - Stealthy Blonde Owner/Trainer/Breeder: Lee Moore, Bagshot
SUPERIOR BONT – 100 starts Sep '16 Cosmic Rumble - Starzar Diamonds Owner: Jodie Wynd, Mickleham Trainer: Joyce Condon, Devon Meadows Breeder: Superior Dynasty Syn.
WINLOCK NEWBOLT – 100 starts Apr '17 Banjo Boy - Fine And Fancy Owner: Gary Black, Malvern East Trainer: Michael Gibbons, Lara Breeder: Augustus Weekes, Molong NSW ALFIE MIKADO - 100 starts Mar ’17 Chasin Mikado - Benny Bowen Owner: J and J (Syn) Trainer: Paul Jones, Hoddles Creek Breeder: Maria Barber, Hoddles Creek
FAST IZZI - 100 starts Jan ’16 Paw Licking - Live Wire Breeder/Owner: Millionaires (Syn) Trainer: Marcus Lloyd, Anakie
STEEL MAGNOLIA - 100 starts July ‘17 Banjo Boy - Natural Oyster Owner: David Wightman, Broadford Breeder: Jennifer Wilson, Korong Vale
WINLOCK SQUINTS - 100 starts April ‘17 Banjo Boy - Fine and Fancy Owner: Baz and Cal (Syn) Trainer: Calum Blake, Simson Breeder: Augustus Weekes, Molong NSW
GREYHOUND WELFARE AND RE-HOMING REPORT
BY DR GAVIN GOBLE BVSC, GENERAL MANAGER, GREYHOUND WELFARE AND RE-HOMING
VACCINATIONS FOR GREYHOUNDS
The Code of Practice requires all greyhounds to have a current C5 vaccination. Please speak to your veterinarian about when your greyhounds are next due for a vaccination and ensure your Kennel Cough vaccine is up to date. Just a reminder that the vaccination requirements for acceptance into GAP are more specific, so please check with GRV if you are planning to get a vaccination for this purpose. These requirements are also on the GAP page of this magazine. In addition to recording your greyhound’s vaccinations in its Greyhound Record, please also provide GRV with copies of your vaccination certificates for GRV to upload into FastTrack so there is a permanent record. This is particularly important if you are considering, or are already, breeding from your greyhound. These vaccination certificates are required to keep the Pink Card active.
Transport Policy and hot weather
GRV would like to remind all participants of three key aspects of the Transport Policy that there is some misunderstanding about:
1. The Transport Policy is independent of the Hot
Weather Policy (that governs race meetings).
2. The Transport Policy applies to transporting greyhounds anytime and anywhere and not just to and from race meetings; it covers transport to trials, other participant’s properties, GAP sessions, veterinary visits and anywhere else for any reason.
3. Under the Transport Policy, air-conditioning in the vehicle and/or trailer is mandatory for any journey that is determined to be hot weather affected.
A Hot Weather Affected journey is defined as the entire journey where, at any point along the intended route, the forecasted maximum temperature is 32°C or higher at any time on the day of the journey.
Using a simple example, if you live in Horsham and are trialling at Ballarat, and the temperature at Ballarat and/or Horsham is forecast to reach 35°C at sometime that day, then any travel to and from Ballarat at any time that day will require greyhounds to be transported in an air-conditioned vehicle/trailer. This is even if it is early morning and the temperature is only 25°C. The policy is written that way to protect the welfare of the greyhounds in cases where transportation might get delayed and makes the policy simple to understand.
Rehabilitation Grant now part of Greyhound Recovery Initiative (GRI) funding
From 1 December 2020, all greyhounds who suffer a GRIeligible injury will be eligible for up to $500 Rehabilitation Grant in addition to $2,000 for veterinary costs. It is paid directly to the participant to support recovery from the injury (but can also be used for additional veterinary costs) but the participant must apply for it using Part C of the GRI Admission Form. Without this paperwork, GRV cannot pay you the grant. If your greyhound has been injured ontrack and you have been referred to the GRI, please make sure you complete Part C of the GRI form to claim your Rehabilitation Grant payment, and this must be returned with Part B that the off-track veterinarian has signed. For more information on the scheme, please visit https:// greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/greyhound-recovery-initiative/.
Kennel Cough
January has seen several reports of coughing dogs and some Kennel Cough scratchings with a mild husky cough. The 2017 outbreak had devastating effects on race fields, GAP intakes and on greyhound welfare, so it is critical that we limit any Kennel Cough infections now to prevent this occurring again. Please be vigilant, seek veterinary advice if you notice coughing dogs and contact GRV so we are aware of what is happening in the industry. Good hygiene and biosecurity practices are vital to limiting spread and impact of any infectious disease. Any greyhound that has Kennel Cough or has been exposed to Kennel Cough, MUST be scratched from any races it is nominated for, and not trialled or taken to other communal training facilities or GAP.
Most importantly, under the Code of Practice all greyhounds must have a current C5 vaccine, which means a yearly Kennel Cough vaccination (with the C3 component every 1-3 years), in line with EHMP requirements and veterinary
advice, preferably with an intra-nasal or oral vaccine, which are faster acting and more likely to be effective than injectable vaccines. For more kennel Cough information including clinical signs, biosecurity information, vaccination considerations and avoiding a positive swab to cough medicines, please visit https://greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/ wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Welfare_Fact_Sheets_2019_ Kennel_Cough.pdf.
On-Track Euthanasia
GRV and all Clubs are working very hard on improving the safety of racing and the serious raceday injury of a greyhound is very stressful for the greyhound, its owner/ trainer and GRV officials. GRV funds the Greyhound Recovery Initiative (GRI) up to the value of $2,500 per greyhound seriously injured during a race-meeting or post-race trialing event with the aim of providing every greyhound with the best chance of a life after racing. Recently, GRV has been working with On-Track Veterinarians (OTVs) to achieve a very clear understanding that euthanasia on-track is only acceptable when the OTV can certify the greyhound was “suffering from a Catastrophic Injury or Catastrophic Medical Condition” and they considered “the most appropriate course of action to be immediate euthanasia on humane grounds”. The OTV always places the welfare of the greyhound first in any decision they make. Where the extent of the injury, or precise diagnosis, is unclear, the OTV will refer the greyhound for off-track veterinary follow-up, usually the same day or next day. The initial veterinary consultation, x-rays and immediate treatment in these cases will always be 100% funded by the GRI (as part of the $2,500), regardless of the diagnosis and treatment options.
Surrendering greyhounds to a pound
Recently, GRV has seen an increase in greyhounds being surrendered to a pound instead of being re-homed. Surrendering a greyhound to a pound is a breach of the Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds (Code). However, GRV understands that sometimes participants believe they are surrendering their greyhound to a shelter, not realising it is also the contracted pound service for the local council.
If a participant is considering surrendering a greyhound to a shelter (i.e. not a volunteer re-homing group) they must check with the shelter and their local council to determine if that shelter is acting as the pound to their municipality; if it is, then surrendering a greyhound in that manner will be a breach of the Code. If in doubt, the participant can contact the GRV Retirements team for advice.
Many of the surrendered greyhounds have not attended a GAP pre-entry assessment, and current waiting times to get greyhounds into GAP are unusually short. If participants do not have a new owner lined up for their greyhound, GAP can be their first re-homing option ahead of other volunteer rehoming groups.
Returning to school and work during hot weather
Every year the return to school and work coincides with the hottest part of the year. While some participants work from home, there are some who are unable to do so and their greyhounds may be left for longer periods of time in the heat. On warm and hot days, ensure your greyhounds:
■ have ready access to lots of cool drinking water in non-spillable containers;
■ have access to shade at all times when outside;
■ have good air flow through kennel buildings and/or well insulated buildings;
■ have covered or shaded concrete walkways to prevent burning of pads when walking greyhounds around properties/race tracks;
■ have access to air-conditioned transport and ensure t he internal transport vehicle temperature is below 30°c at all times dogs are inside it;
■ are monitored regularly.
You can also provide additional relief from the heat by:
■ freezing treats, dog biscuits, or bones in 2-4L containers – the frozen block will keep your greyhound cool and hydrated as they work to access the treat frozen in the middle;
■ place sprinklers at various positions around outdoor yards/paddocks and set them to run on timers for short bursts during the hottest part of the day to allow the greyhounds to cool themselves; and
■ place small pools of water into outdoor yards and, where there is space to do so, indoor kennels big enough to allow the greyhound to stand in – plastic childrens’ shell pools are ideal for this, but large tubs will work also.
GRV has some greyhound resources on managing greyhounds in hot weather and what the signs for heat stress are:
