News

The Victorian Government has just released the Greyhound Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds for public consultation.

WHEN FINAL, THIS IS A CRITICAL, ENFORCEABLE DOCUMENT THAT WILL REGULATE HOW RACING (AND YOUNGER) GREYHOUNDS MUST BE KEPT.  But its scope is MUCH broader than mere keeping  - from required staffing of properties on which greyhounds are kept, to housing requirements (including kennel / run size and construction), to transport requirements, to record keeping, to health care, to feeding, to breeding, to re-homing, to how greyhounds are transferred, and more.  

It is truly vital that as many participants as possible consider it, and make submissions where possible.  Once final, the Code will be very difficult to change.

GOTBA Vic will be considering the consultation draft in detail, and will make available draft submissions for input of members in the next few weeks, prior to making a final submission before the final submission date of 14 August 2017.

We implore our members to do the following:

1.  Go to http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/pets/dogs/greyhounds/code-of-practice , and read the draft code of practice in detail.

2.  Go to http://www.grv.org.au/news/2017/06/14/victorian-governments-proposed-greyhound-code-practice/ and read GRV's press release.  If you consider it helpful, take up GRV's offer of an individual 45 minute session if it may assist you to consider the draft code.

3. Consider how the code of practice might practically affect you.  Do you disagree or agree with certain parts of it? Why / why not? Will it require you to spend significant sums of money to comply with it?

4. Prepare a submission on those issues, or alternatively send us an email at gotbav@gmail.com outlining your concerns, using an email heading of "Greyhound Code of Practice: [your name]".

5. In due course, read GOTBA Vic's draft submissions on this website.  Give us feedback on them.

6. If you wish, make submissions yourself ON OR BEFORE 14 August 2017 - see instructions at http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/pets/dogs/greyhounds/code-of-practice. 

In this regard, participants must recognise that those opposed to the sport of greyhound racing  as a matter of principle may use this opportunity to make submissions to Government that are adverse to the industry, wrong or both. 

It really is imperative that we have as many considered submissions from participants as possible AND that we do everything in our power towards obtaining a final Code of Practice that fairly balances the welfare of the racing greyhound and the interests of participants and the industry.

On Saturday 17th June, at Sandown Race Track, the GOTBA will be hosting a Workshop/Seminar on reward based lure systems, primarily concentrating on the Finish On Lure. Workshop will run from 10am - 2pm with Lunch Provided. Prominent race caller James Van De Mart is the Workshop host and moderator.

Speakers both for and against reward based lure systems will talk during the Workshop as well as world renown Animal Trainer/Behaviourist Mr Steve Austin.

It is extremely important we get a good turn out from both sides of the discussion. Keeping dogs racing keenly and much longer is the only way we are going to be able to have enough dogs to meet future race commitments, as the drastic reduction in breeding numbers is reducing our pool of race dogs.

Those interested in attending must register/book through the GOTBA Facebook page or phone 0418303151.

In early March we alerted you to the continuing development of a national training package for greyhound industry participants, from catchers and attendants to trainers, breeders and rearers.

The second version of draft units of competency, related qualifications and skill sets are now available for feedback at Greyhounds Project (Skills Impact).  Feedback is due by Wednesday 26 April 2017.

We encourage all of our members to provide feedback either directly via the above link or alternatively to us via email at mailto:gotbav@gmail.com with an email subject line 'Greyhound Project: Training Feedback'.  GOTBA will be providing feedback.

Why this is relevant to you

There is a national push to formalise and set out the core standards and competencies to be met by various participants in the greyhound industry, particularly in the area of racing integrity and animal welfare.  This will allow training packages to be developed and those standards and competencies to then be taught and assessed.  

It will be up to regulatory bodies in each State to decide in due course whether or not they will require participants to meet some or all of these standards and competencies (and if so, how), or obtain formal qualifications, as conditions of licences or otherwise. 

GOTBA Vic does not yet know if or how nationally recognised competencies and qualifications will be set as licensing or training requirements in Victoria.  We will monitor and liaise with GRV as the Victorian regulator on this and we are acutely aware of the differing needs of our members, from hobbyists to professionals.

For now, we encourage members to consider, at the above link, whether:

• you agree with the units of competency in the areas of racing and training, breeding and raising and welfare.  Are those skills that are needed?  Are there others in those areas that are not considered?
• for each 'skill set'  (what competencies and skills particular types of participant (such as catchers, attendants, rearers and breeders) are said to need), are these appropriate? Are there any major skills that say, a breeder, needs that are not included?

We are always interested in the views of our members and welcome your thoughts and feedback.  By having input, we are investing in the future direction of our industry.

With enormous thanks to Meticulous Lodge, GOTBA Victoria will be running a Members only raffle on SupaNite March 23 to win a free Service to either Barcia Bale, Fabregas or Fernando Bale - Winner's Choice!

All full GOTBA Members (paid) are eligible for an entry into Raffle. Now is the perfect time to Join or Renew your Membership.  

Website only members are not eligible for Member Raffles

A training package for the National Greyhound Racing Industry is currently under review by Skills Impact on behalf of the Racing Industry Reference Committee (made up of State racing Boards and others).

This training package will set competency skills standards and qualifications for use by the Greyhound Industry which will provide 2 levels of qualifications.

Despite the initial Case for Change outlining GOTBA (along with the NSW GBOTA) being members on the Training Advisory Committee, charged with reviewing and drafting the new training package, neither Association were appointed.  On reviewing the member list, it seems that Vets and Administrators make up the bulk of this Committee.  Click on the link to read the Case for Change BUS-Skills-Impact-Business-Case-Greyhounds.pdf

We have only just discovered that the first draft has already been released for feedback.  The Training Advisory Committee meet next week to review the feedback and update the draft for release to the public for comment, towards the end of March, before being finalised some time in May. Needless to say all of the State Owner Trainer Breeder Associations are angry that they have been excluded from the review & drafting Committee.

GOTBA strongly encourages ALL greyhound owners, trainers, breeders and interested parties to visit the Skills Impact website and register your interest in the project.  By doing so you will be on the contact list for proposed workshops be advised when the next draft is released for comment.

It is vital that experienced greyhound people have a say on the content of our training package before it is finalised.  Visit the Skills Impact website to register your interest in the project.

http://www.skillsimpact.com.au/racing/training-package-projects/greyhound/

The GOTBA Executive would like to update participants in relation to recent allegations of covert, illegal surveillance of greyhound properties. 

As most participants would know by now if they have followed this saga on social media and in national newspapers, Mr. Charlie Wilson has made a number of claims including that he was working with Animals Australia conducting illegal breaking and entering into of greyhound premises to capture footage of illegal drug use in the greyhound industry.

With our members’ interests at the forefront of our thoughts, we have ourselves spoken to Charlie Wilson on a number of occasions in the last week.  We are satisfied that many of his claims as to surveillance of our members are plausible, and have seen material that appears to independently back up many of his claims. This is not to say that all claims in the public arena are true, but prudence dictates that we, and therefore our members, take the claims of coordinated, covert surveillance by Animals Australia or other organisations extremely seriously.

We have received information regarding both the planning of the covert surveillance as well as the participants alleged to have been targeted.  Equally, we have sought information on who managed and paid for the apparent operation and the names of those alleged to be involved.

In the next few days, we will be contacting those of our members whose names have been provided to us as surveillance targets.  On behalf of those of our members whose privacy we believe may have been illegally violated, GOTBA may (with consent) shortly lodge a formal complaint with Victoria Police.  We would strongly recommend that those individual members also lodge a police complaint if they are able to and wish to do so.

On a related issue, we are led to believe that Animals Australia has handed over some or all of the footage from the illegal break-ins to GRV, and some to other regulatory bodies.  

While GOTBA has no problem with GRV, by proper processes and in accordance with the law (including all protections to individuals and against misuse of material that the law affords), conducting its own covert operations as part of an investigations process, we take issue with any direct use of illegally obtained footage against participants.  There can be no assurance, given the alleged source, that the material – whatever it contains – is complete or devoid of alteration, and it would be immoral, not to mention legally questionable, for the footage to be used as direct evidence of any act. 

We at the GOTBA will fight for the rights of our members.  We remind all participants to be vigilant, regularly consider if your personal and kennel security is adequate and take measures to bring each up to speed if not.

GOTBA Vic has recently become aware that one or more animal activist organisations appear to be currently carrying out highly coordinated, covert, illegal surveillance on properties of registered Victorian greyhound trainers. While the focus appears to be on trainers in Western Victoria, there can be no assurance that surveillance is limited to those areas.  

This activity is illegal.  It occurs as part of a campaign to destabilise, and ultimately end, greyhound racing by any means possible.   

Proper covert surveillance by regulatory authorities in accordance with the law is a fair tool in the regulation of our industry.   Surveillance outside those parameters - by anyone - is a serious breach of the law and the basic rights of members of a society, for which contraveners may (and should) be exposed to significant penalties.

To be clear, we have more than one member who has found surveillance devices in their kennel blocks and on their property generally in the last 24-48 hours.  Members should consider carefully checking their properties for the presence of surveillance devices, focussing particularly on kennel areas but not solely on them. 

 Members who find suspicious devices on their properties should promptly first make a report to their local police station and then report this to GRV (suspicious activities hotline - 1300 856 109).  Only after doing those things (or on advice of those authorities) should any devices be removed, but not destroyed.  We also strongly encourage members to keep their own written record of the times, dates and details (names of people spoken to, notes of content) of all conversations with police and GRV in this regard, even if those reports do not give rise to immediate action.  It is GOTBA Vic’s firm view that openness and reporting of any such discoveries is in the best interests of individual participants and the industry as a whole.

We at GOTBA Vic will continue to do everything within our power to represent the best interests of our members and the sport of greyhound racing.

Rest assured that GOTBA Vic will be actively progressing and lobbying for further investigation and exposure of this apparent campaign and its tactics by any means open to us. 

GOTBA submitted an extensive response on GRV's Proposed Local Rules last week.  Click here to download our submission.

Thank you to those members who attended the AGM on November 6th.  We hope that you found the Q&A session worthwhile.  Feel free to send us an email with feedback on the AGM & QA session.

The new Executive Committee are as follows:

• President: Sandra Reed
• Vice Presidents: Robert Britton & Lynton Hogan
• Treasurer: Leeanne Crawford

Gayle Osbourne is continuing as Honarary Secretary.

GOTBA wrote a submission on the draft Guidelines that the State Government released for public comment last month.

Highlights of the submission include:

• reduction in proposed setbacks for slip tracks and competitive yards
  
• request for allowed greyhound numbers of 5 dogs per acre
  
• request that setbacks in the Guidelines override any setbacks in individual zones
  
• request for protection for existing facilities