Industry Notice: New Rules on the Rehoming, Euthanasia and Abandonment of Greyhounds

As of 1 September 2024, the rules in respect of the rehoming, euthanasia and abandonment of greyhounds significantly changed in accordance with the new Queensland Local Rules of Racing 11A, 11B and 11C.

Rehoming

The owner of a greyhound must rehome the greyhound to an appropriate home if they do not intend to keep the greyhound as a pet. Rehoming a greyhound to an appropriate home includes rehoming to an appropriate third-party as a pet, the Greyhound Adoption Program, and other rehoming agencies whose primary function is the rehoming of dogs. Universities, medical research facilities and blood donation facilities may not be deemed to be an appropriate home unless they are able to demonstrate that their primary function is the rehoming of dogs.

In the instance that a greyhound is privately rehomed directly to an appropriate third-party person as a pet, the person responsible for the greyhound at the relevant time must accept the return of the greyhound from the third-party person within 28 days from the date of transfer of custody of the greyhound, provided that the greyhound is returned in the state in which it was rehomed.

Euthanasia

A greyhound cannot be euthanised unless:

  • a veterinarian recommends euthanasia on humane grounds;
  • the greyhound has been temperament assessed (which must not occur within 28 days of the greyhound’s last start in a race) by a veterinarian and it has been determined that the greyhound is unsuitable for rehoming on medical or behavioural grounds with veterinary certification required;
  • the greyhound has been temperament assessed (which must not occur within 28 days of the greyhound’s last start in a race) by the GAP with certification required that the greyhound is unsuitable for rehoming on behavioural grounds;
  • the greyhound has been declared a dangerous or menacing dog by a relevant local government authority with documentary evidence of the declaration required;
  • the greyhound has attacked or bitten a person causing significant injury requiring treatment by a medical practitioner with medical evidence required; and
  • the greyhound is required to be euthanised to comply with the law.

Further, documentary evidence is required to be lodged with QRIC following the euthanasia of a greyhound in accordance with Local Rule 11B(4), with QRIC putting participants on notice that any person who breaches Local Rule 11B will be guilty of an offence.

Abandonment

A greyhound may be deemed to be abandoned in circumstances where:

  • the greyhound is in the custody of a registered participant or other person who is not the owner of the greyhound; and
  • the registered participant, or other person who has custody of the greyhound, has requested the owner to resume custody of the greyhound or otherwise provide for the care of the greyhound; and
  • the owner has failed to do so within 14 days of notification from the Controlling Body.

Information about changes to the Queensland Local Rules of Racing are available on the Racing Queensland website.

Thank you for your ongoing compliance.

For more information contact licensing@qric.qld.gov.au.