Andrea Dawkins MP | Greens' Animal Welfare spokesperson
The Greens welcome the government’s amendment to the Dog Control Act that will allow rehabilitated greyhounds to be muzzle-free.
The Greens and animal welfare advocates have been calling for this reform, and destigmatisation, for years.
Greyhounds are gentle dogs who are slaughtered in their thousands nationally, and in Tasmania, as the by-product of a cruel industry which is driven by profit over animal welfare. It's time these gentle hounds were given a break. Unmuzzling rehabilitated greyhounds is a start.
We hope orgnaisations other than the Greyhound Adoption Program will also be able to be accredited to test the suitability of ex-racing dogs to be unmuzzled. Brightside Animal Sanctuary rehomes many more dogs than GAP and at considerably less cost. It should also be able to access that accreditation.
This unmuzzling amendment is a step forward, reflecting changing community attitudes towards greyhounds and growing concern about the cruelty of the greyhound racing industry.
We sincerely hope, while this cruel industry remains, this change means more greyhounds will find loving homes after a hard life on the track.