Caption: Tonto (Good Vibrations) is a successful example of the Racing Meeting Injury Scheme

By SHANE GILLARD, Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner

This is my first opportunity to address the Greyhound Racing industry in this column and I look forward to continuing what is a great relationship between the QRIC and Chase Newspaper into the future.

In this edition, I would like to remind you about the benefits of the Racing Meeting Injury Scheme (RMIS) which has been in place since mid-2020 and provides significant financial support to cover veterinary treatment and rehabilitation costs for greyhounds injured during race meetings or official stewards’ trials.

This scheme has had considerable success and all greyhound owners and trainers should be aware that it has been designed to remove any barriers that may exist for you to rehabilitate your greyhounds.

Two examples of greyhounds that have had success through the very popular Racing Meeting Injury Scheme (RMIS) are Tonto, formally known as Good Vibrations and Pedro, formally known as Hope’s Heist. Tonto received a tarsal fracture and Pedro received a broken toe during a race meeting. Both greyhounds had their treatment funded by the RMIS and have now fully recovered and been rehomed through the Greyhound Adoption Program.

 Together with Racing Queensland the Commission is always looking to enhance our animal welfare activities and this is another important step in the process.

Where the RMIS applies, and costs exceed $1000 Racing Queensland will provide:

• 100% of the reasonable treatment costs (including the cost of all surgical procedures and associated expenses) for the ‘eligible injury’ up to a maximum RQ payment of $5,500; and
• $50 per week towards the rehabilitation of the greyhound for the duration of the rehabilitation plan prescribed by the veterinarian up to a maximum period of 13 weeks.

Injuries covered under RMIS include bone fractures, tendon and ligament injuries, and any other injury determined to be life threatening by the on-course veterinarian. 

In addition to the RMIS, the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission ensures that race day euthanasia will only be considered by the on-course veterinarian when it would be inhumane not to do so.

Otherwise, an officiating steward will give directions to the person responsible for a greyhound to follow the on-course veterinary advice for  treatment of the greyhound which may include:

• To obtain a veterinary assessment and treatment within a prescribed timeframe.
• To provide further pain relief for the animal; and
• To provide evidence to the QRIC stewards that the direction has been followed within the prescribed timeframe.

Injuries covered under the RMIS are eligible for payment through RQ.