DEDJTR Investigation into animal welfare
and cruelty in the greyhound industry
Interim report 10 March 2015
PHOTO?
Introduction
Terms of reference
Progress to date
In conjunction with Greyhound Racing Victoria, Chief
Veterinary Officer Dr Charles Milne will lead an
investigation into animal welfare and cruelty in the
greyhound industry in Victoria.
Since the terms of reference were issued on the
16 February, the review has made significant progress:
As part of the investigation’s Terms of Reference,
recommendations will be provided to the Minister for
Agriculture and the Minister for Racing for consideration no
later than 30 April 2015.
2. Four key stakeholders interviewed, with further
interviews scheduled
The investigation will include:
4. Preliminary lines of inquiry identified to inform the review
of animal welfare governance systems and compliance
and enforcement strategies
1. A review of the current industry codes and standards to
protect the welfare of animals in the greyhound racing
industry;
2. A review of the animal welfare governance systems and
compliance and enforcement strategies to ensure
compliance in the greyhound racing industry; and
1. Established project plan and resources
3. Review of current codes and standards well advanced
Further details on progress is provided below.
3. Recommendations on how animal welfare standards,
governance and compliance could be improved.
Once completed, the investigation will deliver a report on
greyhound industry governance and compliance with
animal welfare legislation, standards and codes and
identification of opportunities for improvement.
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1. Project establishment
GOVERNANCE
Project Lead
Support
Project planning
Report Writer
• Key personnel have been appointed to project as
outlined in the governance structure
Project Manager
• Ten additional policy and project management
staff providing support for the project as required
Project Control Board
Responsible for strategic oversight of final
deliverable
(1) Chief Veterinary Officer/Project Lead
(2)
Chief Biosecurity Director
(3)
Director, Biosecurity Major Projects
(4)
Director, Biosecurity Assurance
Interagency Liaison
Skill-based support from external agencies
• Department of Justice & Regulation
• Victorian Auditor-General’s Office –
compliance and investigation function
• Office of the Racing Integrity
Commissioner – industry compliance
and enforcement
• Established contacts with other relevant agencies
• High level communication strategy developed
Internal project support
Skill-based support ‘as needed’ from within
DEDJTR
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2. Consultation
Interviews to date
Interviews planned – 10 to 27 March
• Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner
Mr Sal Perna, Racing Integrity Commissioner
Mr John O’Halloran, Manager – Investigations
• Greyhound Racing Victoria
with Stewards
• RSPCA
• Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV)
Mr Adam Wallish, CEO
Dr Linda Beer, Greyhound Welfare Manager
• Municipal Association of Victoria
• Animal Welfare Science Centre, University of
Melbourne
Prof Grahame Colman
• Greyhounds Australasia
• Australian Veterinarians Association
• Animals Australia
Ms Glenys Oogjes, Executive Director
Ms Lyn White, Campaign Director
Also undertaking:
• Media monitoring analysis
• Assessment of issues from Ministerial correspondence and unsolicited
submissions
Second round of follow-up interviews expected from 30 March to 16 April
To include:
• Local council
• Greyhound club
• Department of Justice and Regulation
• GRV follow-up
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3. Review of current codes and standards
• Review focuses on the life of the greyhound from birth to
death with respect to welfare, general management and
enforcement of legislation and rules
• Victorian legislation reviewed:
• Racing Act 1958
• Domestic Animals Act 1994 (DAA)
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986
• Wildlife Act 1975
• For comparison, equivalent racing acts from NSW,
Queensland, Tasmania and New Zealand reviewed
• Codes of Practice reviewed and compared:
• DAA Code of practice for the operation of
greyhound establishments (DAA COPG)
• DAA Boarding, Training and Breeding, and
Rearing Codes
• GRV Industry Code of Practice and Puppy
Breeder Pack
• Also reviewed Greyhounds Australasia Rules and GRV
rules and outcomes of Steward inquiries and disciplinary
board hearings
Emerging lines of inquiry
Enforcement, including
• Appointment of, and powers afforded to GRV inspectors
and stewards
• Referral of breaches of other legislation to appropriate
agencies
• External review of greyhound establishment operations
Welfare, including
• Coverage of industry code of conduct with respect to care
and welfare of greyhounds (GRV refers to DAA COPG
which applies to a Domestic Animal Business)
• Enrichment, socialisation and handling requirements
throughout a greyhound’s life
• Scope and detail for care and management of dogs
included in the DAA COPG
Management, including consistency between
• Statutory obligations of GRV relating to welfare
• Functions of GRV with respect to registration of
individuals and dogs within the industry and the DAA that
requires registration of premises
• GRV rules and policies and Greyhound Australasia rules
• Requirements to manage and care for dogs between the
DAA COPG and other DAA Codes of Practice
Financial incentives, including
• Greyhound Owners & Breeders Incentive Scheme
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4. Review of animal welfare governance systems and compliance and
enforcement strategies
This component is in its early stages. Subject to review of
codes and standards, key questions are expected to cover:
Next steps
• Transfer of ownership
March –
1. Finalise review of codes and standards and the
approach to review of governance and compliance
• Numbers, experience and training of inspectors
2. Complete first round of interviews
• Approach to escalating issues or referring to other
agencies
3. Finalise review of governance and compliance
• Accountability for animal welfare outcomes
• Dealing with complaints and whistleblowers
• Use of existing powers by compliance officers
• Independence of auditing and inspectors
• Approach to auditing (e.g. risk based? field checks? third
party audits?)
April –
4. Drafting of final report and second round of interviews
where required
5. Circulate draft report for comments
6. Finalise report by 30 April
• Protocols for the conduct of inspections or audits
• Use of a compliance strategy, e.g.
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how are identified deficiencies addressed?
how are complaints investigated?
who hears the complaint?
who reviews the outcomes of these hearings?
is there a hierarchy of sanctions?
are serious breaches of legislation reported to the
relevant enforcement authorities?
• Data management, monitoring and reporting
• Collaboration between enforcement authorities
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