- RSPCA wants laws requiring pet greyhounds to be muzzled to be repealed
- Under law, all greyhounds in Victoria must be leashed and muzzled in public
- Greyhounds are ‘no more or less likely to cause any harm’ than any other breed
RSPCA Victoria have called for the government to ban legislation requiring greyhounds to be muzzled public.
The animal welfare group have said a decision on the matter is ‘close’, and want pet greyhounds to be without muzzles in public.
‘We think the muzzle should come off,’ Dr Liz Walker for RSPCA Victoria told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell.
RSPCA Victoria have called for the government to ban legislation requiring greyhounds to be muzzled in public
Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, all greyhounds in Victoria must be leashed and muzzled when outside the premises of their owner
‘There’s no data to show that greyhounds are any more or less likely to cause any harm.’
Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, all greyhounds in Victoria must be leashed and muzzled when outside the premises of their owner.
‘I think Australia and Ireland are the only countries where pet greyhounds have to wear them,’ Dr Walker said.
Pet greyhounds must also be leashed and muzzled in council designated off leash exercise areas.
‘There’s no data to show that greyhounds are any more or less likely to cause any harm,’ Dr Liz Walker for RSPCA Victoria said
Earlier this year, the ACT repealed laws requiring pet greyhounds to be muzzled
While Dr Walker believes pet owners should keep their greyhounds on a leash when in public spaces, she said they do not need to be muzzled.
‘At this point in time leaving them on the lead is the smart thing to do,’ Dr Walker said.
‘A lot of greyhounds need homes, they’re such a beautiful gentle breed but we know muzzled greyhounds will stay in RSPCA shelters for 40 days.
‘If they are without muzzles, they will be out in 12 days.’
Earlier this year, the ACT repealed laws requiring pet greyhounds to be muzzled.