Guidance for participants on the removal of hair from a greyhound and any impact on obtaining hair samples:

Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) stewards are providing guidance to participants about the requirements for the removal of hair from any greyhound, so as not to impact the ability to obtain hair samples for the testing of prohibited substances.

Background

QRIC strives to ensure the integrity of greyhound racing, and hair testing has become an important part of the routine prohibited substance testing program.
This article seeks to remind participants of their obligations under the Rules of Racing in respect to the removal of a greyhound’s hair that could unreasonably prevent a hair sample being taken.
Please note that nothing in this article prevents:

• The routine grooming of a greyhound’s coat to remove hair (e.g. by bathing, brush, or comb), which is required to ensure greyhounds’ coats are kept in a good, clean condition, as required under the Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds.
• The removal of hair from less than half (majority) of the body or tail on medical grounds, including treatment for injury or illness, or if directed by a veterinarian.
• Urgent and necessary veterinary attention.

Guidance

In accordance with the Rules of Racing, participants should not remove, or allow to be removed, more than half the hair from a greyhound or its tail without obtaining the written permission of the stewards.
If a greyhound does have a majority of body or tail hair removed without stewards’ permission, then the greyhound may be stood down indefinitely from competing under GAR 139 (4), until a suitable hair sample can be taken (which could be several months). The trainer and/or person responsible for the removal may be subject to offences under the Rules of Racing.
The removal of some hair for first-aid or other treatment reasons is also permitted, but wherever possible, hair from at least 15cm of the tail length extending from the tail base should not be removed.
Any permission may be conditional, including requiring an out-of-competition hair sample prior to the hair removal occurring, or that a minimum amount of tail hair must remain after clipping, or any other relevant condition the stewards see fit.
To obtain the permission of stewards under GAR 156 (i) (ii), participants must apply in writing to stewards@qric.qld.gov.au with accompanying details of the greyhound’s identity; and why you are applying to remove the hair.

Please allow at least two business days for a response to the application.

Relevant Rules

Participants are reminded of the following relevant rules:
GAR 156 General offences

An offence is committed if a person (including an official):

(i) prevents, attempts to prevent, interferes with, or attempts to interfere with the carrying out of any identification, examination, test, necropsy, analysis, inquiry, investigation or inspection (including a kennel inspection) pursuant to the Rules. For the purpose of this sub-rule:
(i) a test includes, but is not limited to, the collection of a sample; and
(ii) removing, or allowing to be removed, hair from a majority of a greyhound, or any part of the tail of a greyhound, and preventing the collection of a sample will amount to a breach of this rule unless a person has obtained the permission of the stewards.

GAR 139 Permanently banned prohibited substances, and certain offences in relation to them

(4) If upon analysis a sample has detected in it a permanently banned prohibited substance or a sample is unable to be taken when required by a Controlling Body or the stewards due to the actions or inactions of a person responsible for the greyhound, then:
(a) the greyhound must be scratched from any event which it is nominated for or engaged to compete in; and
(b) without limiting the application of rule 169(5), the greyhound is ineligible to be nominated for any further event until a sample is taken that does not breach this rule.
Thank you for your ongoing compliance. For further information, contact: stewards at stewards@qric.qld.gov.au