The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) is urging all dog owners to ensure their dogs are vaccinated against Leptospirosis, following a recent outbreak in New South Wales.
QRIC Principal Veterinary Officer Greg Cavanagh said Leptospirosis is a serious disease that can cause death.
“The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) has already confirmed multiple cases from the NSW outbreak have resulted in death,” Dr Cavanagh said.
“Leptospirosis has recently been detected across the NSW Central Coast, Central and Northern beaches areas of Sydney, NSW South Coast and near the ACT.
“Leptospirosis is shed by rodents through urine, and the risk of disease increases following high rainfall.
“The recent wet weather in Queensland and the presence of rats and mice means that dogs could be exposed through contact with infected urine, contaminated soil or water.”
Dr Cavanagh said the signs of Leptospirosis infection can include lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea. The disease can cause liver and kidney damage and, in many cases, death.
“The good news is, there is a vaccine for Leptospirosis available in Australia and, if infected, vaccinated dogs generally recover from the disease,” he said.
“Amidst the recent outbreak, QRIC is encouraging all owners to review their pest management and consider this important vaccination.
“Two doses of the vaccine given two to four weeks apart are required, followed by annual boosters.
“If infected, vaccinated dogs generally recover from the disease.”
Desexing retired greyhounds is now a requirement
The 30-day transition period for desexing retired racing greyhounds is now over, following the commencement of the new National Greyhound Racing Rules on May 1, 2022.
The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) provided the transition period for racing participants to familiarise themselves with the rule changes, and as of June 1, 2022, the transition period had expired.
QRIC Animal Welfare Program Director Dr Mariko Lauber said all greyhounds being retired as a pet must be desexed.
“Owners or people responsible for the dogs must ensure their retired dogs are desexed prior to leaving their care, including greyhounds that are being retired to a greyhound rehoming group or another agency,” Dr Lauber said.
“The only exemption to this rule is if the dogs are being retired to the QRIC Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP), however dogs who have been desexed, vaccinated and had their teeth cleaned, will be prioritised,” she said.
In addition to desexing rule changes, the new national rules now state that a greyhound must be fully vaccinated (C5) throughout its racing life and cannot compete in a race or trial for seven days after being vaccinated.
The QRIC will provide a 12-month penalty free moratorium period to May 1, 2023, for participants to adapt to the new C5 vaccination requirements, however, it is expected that compliance commences immediately.
At the end of the 12-month moratorium period, non-compliant greyhounds will be ineligible for nomination for events.
Racing Queensland has introduced a subsidy payment to support Queensland racing industry participants with the cost of desexing, dental treatment and vaccination of retiring greyhounds; known as the Greyhound Retirement Readiness Scheme (GRRS).
Barking and its impact on racing success
Managing barking in any kennel environment is important for racing success.
Barking noise can be stressful and interfere with rest time for greyhounds in race kennels, negatively impacting race performance.
If there are younger dogs in the kennel, they can be taught bad habits by excessive barkers.
Barking at other dogs, people walking past, seeking attention, or alerting you to a threat is considered normal barking behaviour.
It is the way greyhounds communicate with each other and with people.
Excessive barking is where a greyhound continues to bark long after they have made their communication and/or when they bark for long periods of time for no apparent reason.
Excessive barking is often a sign something in the greyhound’s environment is not quite right.
Excessive barking is disruptive to normal training, racing and rest routines and creates nuisance issues with neighbours.
Understanding why your greyhounds are barking is the first step in reducing excessive barking.
While anti-barking devices such as barking muzzles are a short-term fix, new rules of racing limit their use.
QRIC will be providing further information on this in due course.
Greyhound Identification Cards
From August 1, 2022, participants will be required to produce the greyhound identification card for their greyhound at the time of kennelling in accordance with Greyhounds Australasia Rule 88.
If a participant is unable to produce the relevant greyhound identification card (or other document establishing the registration and identity of the greyhound to the satisfaction of the Stewards), then that greyhound may not be permitted to compete in an event.
Non-compliance with Greyhounds Australasia Rule 88 may result in a penalty being issued to the trainer, owner, or handler of the greyhound. Further, if a greyhound is not permitted to compete in an event due to non-compliance with Greyhounds Australasia Rule 88, then the Stewards may determine if any stand-down period, to a maximum of ten (10) days, shall apply in relation to the greyhound being prohibited from competing in any other Event.
Any concerns with respect to Greyhounds Australasia Rule 88 should be referred to the Stewards without delay.
