Greyhound Un-muzzling Information

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Sections 18 and 18A of the Dog Control Act 2000 were amended on 20 December 2017 providing provisions for non-racing greyhounds to be un-muzzled in public if they had been accredited by an approved suitability program.  

Section 18A is reproduced below:
Section 18A. of the Principal Act - Approval of greyhound suitability program
(1) The Director of Racing may approve a program in respect of the training and assessment of greyhounds for suitability to be without a muzzle when not on premises at which the dog is usually kept.
(2) In deciding whether to approve a program under subsection (1), the Director of Racing may seek advice from –
(a) a veterinary surgeon with expertise relating to greyhounds; or
(b) any other person the Director sees fit.
(3) The Director of Racing may refuse to accept a program for approval.
(4) In this section – Director of Racing means the Director of Racing appointed under section 5 of the Racing Regulation Act 2004.

Criter​ia

Below is the Office of Racing Integrity’s final document detailing the criteria for Greyhound Un-muzzling suitability programs under the Dog Control Act 2000:

  Greyhound U​n-muzzl​ing Criteria   (373Kb)​​

Who can approve my greyhound to go​ un-muzzled in a public place?

The following organisations have been approved by the Director of Racing as at ​​27 June 2024 to approve your greyhound:​

​​​

How do I get my greyhound approved to be ​un-muzzled in a public place?

• If you obtained your greyhound from GAP, Dogs Home of Tasmania, RSPCA​ and have a numbered collar you do not have to do anything. The issued collar identifies your greyhound as having previously passed a suitability program allowing them to be lawfully un-muzzled in public. Owners must be mindful there is still an obligation on them to have their greyhound continue to wear a muzzle if they have any concerns regarding its behaviour.​  If you obtained your greyhound from any of these organisations and do not have a numbered collar please contact the relevant organisation and they will assist you​.  Identifying collars must be worn in public when un-muzzled.  The requirement to be on a leash while in public remains.
  

• If you obtained your greyhound after 17 December 2018 from a third party (not one of the above-mentioned adoption organisations), you should contact GAP Tasmania to have your greyhound assessed to determine its suitability to go unmuzzled.​
  

• If you did not obtai​​n your greyhound from any of the above organisations and it was rehomed prior to 17 December 2017 you can apply to the Director of Racing through the Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) by:

• Completing the ORI Greyhound Un-muzzling Statutory Declaration (below)

• Submit with applicable $30.00 fee to: The Office of Racing Integrity either in person at Ground Floor, West Wing, Prospect Government Offices, 171 Westbury Road; Prospect 7250 or by mail to PO Box 1329, Launceston  7250; or by email to admin@racingintegrity.tas.gov.au

If the application is​ app​​roved you will be provided with a uniquely-numbered purple collar that is to be worn by the greyhound when un-muzzled in a public place.  Owners issued with a collar from ORI must be mindful there is still an obligation on them to have their greyhound continue to wear a muzzle if they have any concerns regarding its behaviour. The requirement to be on a leash while in public remains.​​​

  Un-muzzling Statutory Declaration   (611Kb)

• If you obtained your greyhound via an assistance program you can apply to the Director of Racing through the Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) by:

• Completing the ORI Greyhound Un-muzzling Statutory Declaration (above) and attach a copy of the card issued by the program
  

• Submit with applicable $30.00 fee to: The Office of Racing Integrity either in person at Ground Floor, West Wing, Prospect Government Offices, 171 Westbury Road, Prospect; or by mail to PO Box 1329, Launceston  7250; or by email to admin@racingintegrity.tas.gov.au
  

What should I do with the collar when my greyhound ​dies?

These collars are unique to the greyhound they have been issued to.  In the event of your greyhound passing away, please return the collar to the relevant organisation that issued you the collar. 

What should I do if I lose or brea​k my dog's collar?

Contact the organisation that issued you the collar and apply for a replacement collar.  Fees may apply.​