Code of Practice: EHMP annual review AND updated GOTBA version Emergency Euthanasia Protocol

The Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds has been in operation for almost 6 months. There have been many challenges that will have tested procedures for keeping greyhounds in this time, particularly biosecurity and isolation issues.

The time for your required annual review of your Establishment Health Management Plan by the Person in Charge (Jan 1 for many establishments) will get here quicker than you think.  What has worked? What hasn't?  Are changes needed?  Are those changes permitted? These will be things to consider by the end of the year.  Start early if you can.

Remember: if you do make changes to those protocols that needed to be vet-signed originally, those changes will also need to be signed in due course. 

Changes to GOTBA's EHMP - Emergency Euthanasia Protocol

Following correspondence with GRV, GOTBA Vic has updated its version of the Emergency Euthanasia Protocol (EEP) within its example Establishment Health Management Plan.

The update is available both alone and within a consolidated document on our (member only) examples page - Code of Practice: EXAMPLE EHMP and Protocols .

For participants who put in place the prior GOTBA version EEP, you should replace it when next visiting your EHMP vet (which at minimum will involve your vet initialling a replacement EEP), and then update their own EHMP records and practices accordingly.  You are, of course, not bound to use the GOTBA (or any other) version, but the version used must contain approved persons and approved methods.

Our version, as amended, only contains an approved method of emergency euthanasia in location that is undertaken by, or is under the immediate real-time supervision (including remote) of a vet.  Intentionally, neither our previous nor our current version of the emergency euthanasia protocol refers to use of a firearm.  

If you previously contacted us by email to obtain our earlier EHMP example, we will reach out to you.

GOTBA Committee

June 2020