11 minute read
LATEST NEWS
Shepparton ticks the boxes with track safety
BY TONY HOMFRAY
Greyhound Racing Victoria’s continual pursuit of safer racing across Victoria relies on a range of interrelated disciplines. These encompass continued safe and improved track design, quality track maintenance and education and preparation of greyhounds. To achieve the safest possible outcome, all of these must work concurrently to achieve the overall objective of reducing racing injuries as part of the GRV Safe Racing Program and commitment backed by a $10m investment across the state.
One example of this integration is Shepparton Greyhound Racing Club. Over a three-year period until 2019, Shepparton had racing injury statistics in the mid-40s per 1000 starters. However, infrastructure and other interventions from 2018 to 2019 has seen this level reduced to 35 per 1000, making Shepparton one of the safest tracks in the State. Among these improvements were an increase in track camber to reduce race turning injuries, improved track harrowing, increased track monitoring and water management and the introduction of roll-on starting boxes. The introduction of these boxes was based on modelling undertaken by the University of Technology, Sydney at other tracks and is designed to reduce initial start clustering thereby reducing track injuries. While the Shepparton Club has worked closely with GRV infrastructure in relation to the physical improvements to the track, club manager, Carl McGrath, believes other measures undertaken by the club have also impacted the reduction of race injuries. These include the Shepparton track staff’s willingness to adapt and respond to suggested changes. Among the non-track changes is the introduction of a resident veterinary clinic at the track for up to three days a week.
Separate from the GRV race day veterinary oversight, and dealing exclusively with greyhounds, the Shepparton Greyhound Veterinary Clinic provides the local industry with a range of regular veterinary services as well as desexing services.
“Apart from providing basic veterinary services the clinic already offers dental work, x-rays and some surgeries and we see it as an additional participant service which greatly assists in animal welfare,” Carl said. “Because of this we have had a lot of positive comments from participants indicating that the dogs are racing more often and not suffering as many injuries.” He also believes that the introduction of free trialling has had a significant impact on reducing racing injuries. “With the support of GRV we introduced free trialling for a six-month period with a view that it would ensure local trainers and breeders did not minimise race preparation,” he said.
“It was so successful that it was extended for a further three months before GRV introduced it at venues across the state.
So, combined with Shepparton’s track team and GRV’s racing team, improvement ideas are continually tested and implemented which ensures Shepparton ticks all the boxes in the continuing quest for safer racing.
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.
GRV’s Desexing and Dental Scheme
GRV’s Desexing and Dental scheme launched on 1 July 2021 is working extremely well and has received close to 200 applications. GRV is working closely with applicants and veterinarians to ensure the application process is kept as simple as possible. If in doubt, please ring or email the welfare department for more information. Key points: ■ While the scheme is set up for greyhounds being rehomed (including those booked into GAP), funding is also available for those being retained as pets by participants, regardless of when the greyhound was retired
■ You can use any veterinary clinic in Victoria for the surgery; there is no approved list of clinics (so far over 30 clinics have taken part) ■ While most invoices have so far come in under the GRV funding cap ($500 for females; $400 for males), it is a good idea to get an estimate of prices when you book your greyhound in, noting the most variable part will be the dental treatment ■ Both the desexing and dental treatment must be certified by the veterinarian; however, the teeth only need to be done if they need doing; if in doubt please contact welfare before surgery ■ If your greyhound has previously been desexed outside of the scheme, funding is still available for dental treatment Visit https://greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/rehoming/desexingand-dental-scheme for more information and application forms.
Surrendering greyhounds to a shelter
Surrendering a greyhound to a council pound is a breach of the greyhound Code of Practice. A council pound can either be a council-run facility or a facility run by another organisation (including an animal shelter) that contracts to the council. If a participant is considering surrendering a greyhound to a shelter (i.e. not a volunteer re-homing group) all racing connections they must check with each of their local councils to determine if that shelter is acting as the contracted pound to their municipality. For more information on retiring your greyhound to a shelter visit: https://
greyhoundcare.grv.org. au/retirement-from-racing/ #shelters
The use of electronic anti-barking collars is highly restricted in Victoria. There are very specific laws under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations which govern who can use electronic collars on dogs, when and for how long. Participants must not use electronic anti-barking collars on any dog. If you wish to utilise this tool to manage barking behaviour, please carefully read the information on the Animal Welfare Victoria Website and the Code of Practice for Training Dogs and Cats to Wear Electronic Collars; and contact Animal Welfare Victoria on 136 186 for more information.
Spring is a time for significant vegetation growth and ultimately increased fuel load. While it seems that the cold weather hasn’t really left us, it won’t be long before the temperatures begin to increase, and vegetation begins to dry out. Early preparation for the fire season will reduce risk. Now is the time to get your fire plans in order and avoid leaving things until the last minute: ☐ Prepare or review your fire plan, including evacuation options; if you choose to take your greyhounds with you, contact your local Municipal Council to find out which of their evacuation centres will allow animals and add the address and details to your plan. ☐ Ensure lawns are kept short and regularly slash long grass in surrounding paddocks, yards, kennel blocks and alongside slipping tracks etc. ☐ On bigger properties, a clearing of about 10 metres of well-mown grass around your home and kennel block is advisable.
☐ Remove piles of fine fuels such as leaves, as it will probably be where embers will land and cause spot fires.
☐ Empty gutters of leaves on your home, kennels and other buildings. ☐ Make sure trees on your property are healthy, ideally trimmed to 2 metres above the ground, with no dead limbs and no vegetation underneath them. ☐ Ensure your insurance is sufficient and current. More information can be found at https://greyhoundcare. grv.org.au/health-and-well-being/emergency-planning/ and a comprehensive check list can help you prepare https://
greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/
Animal_Welfare_Emergency_Planning_Checklist.pdf. The Department of Agriculture also has some excellent resources and advice on preparing your property and how to manage pets, horses and livestock during fires. Visit https://
agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-
management/bushfires. WELFARE AND REHOMING REPORT
SWABBING NUMBERS
Swabs taken 2020 - 2021 financial year (01/07/2020 – 30/06/2021) = 10577 Swabs taken 2021 - 2022 financial year = 929
MONTHLY SWABS TAKEN
1200
1000
800
600
2020
STEWARDS ACTIVITY
OFFENCES AND ACTIVITY
Marring Fail to Chase Satisfactory Trials Cleared Satisfactory Trials Not Cleared Samples (Swabs) Taken Positive Swabs from RASL VRT Positive Swab Cases Heard VRT Appeals Heard VRT Stay Applications VRT Animal Welfare Cases Heard VRT Misconduct Cases Heard POCTA/DAA Prosecutions
2021
July 2021 19 41 36 20 929 4 2 1 0 1 1 0
PROSECUTIONS OVERVIEW
Victorian Racing Tribunal
Cassendra Jayakody – VRT Hearing 2 July 2021– (GAR) 83(2), failed to present the greyhound “Dyna Virion” free of any prohibited substance ‘Theobromine’ for an event at Sandown on 24 January 2021. Miss Jayakody pleaded ‘Guilty’, The VRT imposed a 3mth suspension wholly suspended for 24mths. “Dyna Virion” was disqualified from the event.
Jack Campbell – VRT Appeal 6 July 2021 – GAR 69A(1), the greyhound “Frothy’s Jett” was charged with Fail To Chase at Geelong on 29 June 2021. Mr Campbell pleaded ‘Not Guilty’. The VRT dismissed the appeal. Sebastiano Gibilisco – VRT Hearing 6 July 2021 – (GAR) 83(2), failed to present the greyhound “Hagrid Grange” free of any prohibited substance ‘Ketoprofen’ for an event at Bendigo on 30 December 2020. Mr Gibilisco pleaded ‘Guilty’, The VRT imposed a fine of $1,500, with $1,000 suspended for 12mths. “Hagrid Grange” was disqualified from the event. Ivan Chircop – VRT Hearing 21 July 2021 – GAR105(4)(i) & GAR86(p), Mr Chircop failed to notify GRV of the location of 26 greyhounds coming to or leaving his care and custody within 3 working days. On 30 April 2020, Mr Chircop failed to comply with a lawful direction to update his FastTrack records for the greyhounds in his care. Mr Chircop pleaded ‘Guilty’ to both charges. The VRT imposed a 3-month suspension on each charge, to be served concurrently and wholly suspended for 12 months. Calven Russell – VRT Hearing 27 July 2021 – LRR42.9(a), GAR106(1)(c), GAR86(p), LRR11.8, LRR11.12(b) & GAR86(o), Between December 2019 and July 2020, Mr Russell failed to notify GRV of the death of a greyhound, failed to provide satisfactory kennels and failed to comply with lawful directions to improve kennel conditions at his property. Additionally, Mr Russell, while suspended, transferred 11 greyhounds to his spouse and attended various Greyhound Racing Clubs to assist in trialling greyhounds between 3 July 2020 and 24 July 2020. Mr Russell pleaded ‘Not Guilty’ to charges 1 through 4, and ‘Guilty’ to charges 5 through 7.The VRT found all charges proven and imposed a total suspension period of 3 months to be served immediately, with a further 6-month suspension wholly suspended for 12 months. The VRT also imposed a total fine of $1000.
UPCOMING GRV VIC BRED SERIES
GRV VIC BRED Series races are designed to promote and reward Victorian Bred Greyhounds. Each series is designed to give an equal opportunity to a variety of greyhounds, of similar grade and experience, a chance to compete for above average prizemoney. GRV VIC BRED Series are open to Victorian Bred Greyhounds and all provincial finals carry a VICGREYS Bonus.
Listed here are when GRV VIC BRED Series commence during September and October 2021.
GRV VIC BRED Maiden Series
Thu, 2 Sep Night WBL GRV VIC BRED Series - Maiden Heat 450 Sun, 12 Sep Day HVL GRV VIC BRED Series - Maiden Heat 350 Fri, 17 Sep Night GEL GRV VIC BRED Series - Maiden Heat 460 Sun, 3 Oct Twilight SLE GRV VIC BRED Series - Maiden Heat 440 Fri, 8 Oct Twilight BEN GRV VIC BRED Series - Maiden Heat 500 Mon, 18 Oct Night SHP GRV VIC BRED Series - Maiden Heat 450
GRV VIC BRED Mixed 6/7 Series
Thu, 16 Sep Night WBL GRV VIC BRED Series - Mixed 6/7 Heat 450 Fri, 1 Oct Night GEL GRV VIC BRED Series - Mixed 6/7 Heat 460 Sat, 30 Oct Night CRN GRV VIC BRED Series - Mixed 6/7 Heat 520
GRV VIC BRED Restricted Win Series
Wed, 22 Sep Night CRN GRV VIC BRED Series - Restricted Win Heat 520 (1-4 Wins) Sun, 17 Oct Day SAP GRV VIC BRED Series - Restricted Win Heat 515 (1-4 Wins) Tue, 26 Oct Night WGL GRV VIC BRED Series - Restricted Win Heat 460 (1-4 Wins)
GRV VIC BRED Grade 5 Series
Tue, 14 Sep Night WGL GRV VIC BRED Series - Grade 5 Heat 460 Thu, 16 Sep Night SAP GRV VIC BRED Series - Grade 5 Heat 515 Wed, 29 Sep Night BAL GRV VIC BRED Series - Grade 5 Heat 450 Sun, 10 Oct Day BEN GRV VIC BRED Series - Grade 5 Heat 500 Sun, 24 Oct Twilight SLE GRV VIC BRED Series - Grade 5 Heat 520 Wed, 27 Oct Day MEP GRV VIC BRED Series - Grade 5 Heat 525 Sun, 10 Oct Day BEN GRV VIC BRED Series - Grade 5 Heat 500
GRV VIC BRED Distance Series
Sun, 19 Sep Twilight SLE GRV VIC BRED Distance Series - S/E Heat 650 (Less than $25,000) Wed, 6 Oct Night BAL GRV VIC BRED Distance Series - R/W Heat 660 (0-4 Wins) Fri, 29 Oct Night GEL GRV VIC BRED Distance Series - R/W Heat 680 (0-4 Wins)
