2023 GWIC Industry Updates

Greyhounds Australasia (GA) has updated its policy for the approval of a Greyhound Passport for export.

The updated policy which took effect on 1 August 2023 provides clarification on destination country requirements (excluding New Zealand) for GA Greyhound Passport approval where greyhounds are being exported, for the purpose of:

• Racing and/or
• Breeding.

The updated policy can be downloaded here Greyhound Passport for Export (PDF, 100.12 KB).

I know you will all agree that the vision of animal mistreatment in South Australia released last week was appalling. It goes without saying that the industry in NSW has a zero-tolerance to behaviour of this kind.

As many already know, the South Australian Premier announced on Wednesday that an independent inquiry will be held into the greyhound racing industry in that state following reports in recent weeks of alleged welfare issues.

The Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission joins with Greyhound Racing South Australia in welcoming an inquiry into greyhound racing in South Australia and I have advised the CEO of GRSA of our support for them throughout the inquiry process.

Any participant found to be in breach of welfare and integrity standards – actions that undermine the spirit of the sport – damages the reputation of the industry.

Over the past five years, the Greyhound Racing Industry in New South Wales has established itself as the leading jurisdiction in Australia and internationally when it comes to maintaining the highest standards of welfare and integrity. Our world-first eTracking system accounting for every racing greyhound, greyhound welfare code of practice, race injury reduction strategies and new rehoming pathways are all proof that the industry puts the welfare of it greyhounds as its highest priority.

While this progress is hugely positive, we cannot afford to be complacent, and we all need to work together to ensure that those in the minority who seek to behave badly or in an unlawful manner do not irreparably damage the sport for all.

Receiving and acting on any information that may point to unlawful or inappropriate activity is a key part of maintaining NSW’s leading position on integrity and welfare.

I encourage you to provide any information regarding any greyhound racing, welfare or integrity issue to the Commission through one of our reporting methods. You can remain anonymous.

If you would like to discuss any matter with GWIC at any time, please contact us on 13 49 42 (13 GWIC).

Thank you for continuing to ensure NSW greyhound racing leads the global industry by example.

Kind regards,

Steve Griffin
Chief Executive Officer
GWIC

The eTrac Participant Portal launched on Monday 1 May 2023 and will transform the way greyhound participants in NSW complete transactions and  manage their greyhound information.

The eTrac Participant Portal introduces;

Please be advised that GWIC will commence the identification of the first four placegetters from each race in the catching pen following an event. 

The introduction of this process is in addition to the two other identification checkpoints conducted at a race meeting and will be enforced across NSW to provide an additional layer of comfort and confidence with all stakeholders. Importantly, you are reminded not to remove the rug from your greyhound until such time “All Clear” has been given.

Your co-operation will be greatly appreciated.

The updated Greyhound Rehoming Policy will come into effect on Monday 1 May 2023.

Key changes to the policy include:

• Greyhounds cannot be rehomed to facilities, in NSW or interstate, that conduct animal research, animal plasma or blood collection.
• Greyhounds can only be rehomed to Council pounds or animal shelters with a no-euthanasia policy, unless under exceptional circumstances and with the prior approval of the Commission.
• A greyhound cannot be euthanased unless;
  • a veterinarian certifies that euthanasia is necessary for the welfare of the greyhound (medical euthanasia)
  • it has been declared a dangerous dog under s 34 of the Companion Animals Act or by court order
  • there is history of the greyhound biting a person (including medical evidence)
  • it has failed a temperament assessment by a veterinary practitioner approved by GRNSW.
• A 'Notice of Intention to Euthanase' is no longer required for the above circumstances.

Owners seeking to euthanase a registered greyhound outside of these circumstances may be subject to disciplinary action.

More information regarding eligibility and preconditions, and how to access a temperament assessment will be confirmed shortly.

The Commission has been notified of greyhounds being treated with a class of drugs called Bisphosphonates (BPs). Scientific evidence suggests the use of these drugs may increase the risk of bone fractures.

Bisphosphonates come under a variety of brand names such as Tildren (Tiludronic acid), and Zometa, Reclast (Zoledronic acid), just to name a few.

Under the NSW Greyhound Racing Rules, all Bisphosphonates are prohibited substances. Currently there are no known withholding periods for such drugs in greyhounds.  However, in racehorses unpredictable excretion and prolonged detection periods of several years have been seen.  Use of bisphosphonates therefore may carry a risk of the greyhound returning a positive swab long after the drug was administered.

Bisphosphonates are widely used in humans with osteoporosis, to improve bone density. However BPs are not registered for use in dogs.

The veterinary use of such medications is primarily aimed at curbing bone cancer pain.

However, canine studies have demonstrated that although Bisphosphonates may increase bone density, the resultant reduction in bone turnover (a biological process of removing old bone and replacing it with new bone) is associated with an increase in micro-crack accumulation, increased bone brittleness, and significantly reduced bone toughness (Mashiba et al., 2010; Burr et al., 2015). This may predispose the dog to bone fracture.

As Bisphosphonates are also believed to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, masking pain when underlying bone micro stresses fractures exist could increase the risk of serious injury.

The inappropriate use of Bisphosphonates poses a significant welfare risk to racing greyhounds, and all trainers are strongly urged to avoid using them.

Allen, R.A., Burr, D.B. (2011). Bisphosphonate effects on bone turnover, microdamage, and mechanical properties: What we think we know and what we know that we don't know. Bone, 49(1), 56-65.

Burr, D. B., Liu, Z., & Allen, M. R. (2015). Duration-dependent effects of clinically relevant oral alendronate doses on cortical bone toughness in beagle dogs. Bone, 71, 58–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2014.10.010

Mashiba, T., Hirano, T., Turner, C.H., Forwood, M.R., Johnston, C.C. and Burr, D.B. (2000). Suppressed bone turnover by bisphosphonates increases microdamage accumulation and reduces some biomechanical properties in dog rib. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 15, 613-620. https://doi.org/10.1359/jbmr.2000.15.4.613

If you have any questions regarding this health warning, please contact us via vets@gwic.nsw.gov.au or call 13 49 42 (13 GWIC).

To allow trainers more time to prepare, the requirement for greyhounds to be vaccinated up to C5 level to race in NSW has been extended to 1 October 2023.

Greyhounds must be vaccinated up to C5 level to be nominated for a race in NSW that will take place on, or after, 1 October 2023. To be vaccinated up to C5 level requires either an annual C5 vaccination, or, a C3 vaccination every three years and an annual kennel cough booster.

This requirement will ensure all greyhounds registered in NSW are being protected against diseases that could affect their health.

Please note, a greyhound must not compete in a race or trial for five days after being vaccinated.

For assistance

If you have any questions about this requirement, please refer to R25 in the Racing Rules which sets out vaccination requirements for greyhounds, or email vets@gwic.nsw.gov.au.

If you have lost your vaccination certificate or are unsure when your greyhound’s last vaccination was, please contact your industry vet who should have these details on file.

We're hitting the road!

In March 2023, GWIC and GRNSW are teaming up and visiting a number of tracks across the state.

Have questions or need help? Come and see us at the track!

We will be looking forward to talking to the industry about topics such as;

• Rule and Policy changes
• The Code of Practice
• Pet Prep and Socialisation
• The Greyhound Care Scheme.

2023 Track Visits