Leash and Muzzling Requirements for Greyhounds
Owning a pet greyhound in Victoria comes with unique responsibilities- and some important legal requirements every owner should know.
Greyhound owners in Victoria must follow state and national laws that apply to all dog owners, including those around pet care, public safety, and responsible ownership. These laws help ensure greyhounds - and the community around them - stay safe, happy, and well cared for.
Muzzles
Effective 1 January 2019, all greyhound pet owners in Victoria can choose to have their greyhounds muzzle free in public. Prior to this, only greyhounds who had been adopted through GAP and wore a special GAP Green Collar were allowed to go without a muzzle in public. GAP greyhounds will continue to have temperament assessments to ensure they are safe around small dogs and are safe to go un-muzzled in public. For more information about the removal of the muzzling requirement, click here. Further information about legal requirements for owners of pet greyhounds in Victoria can be found here: http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/pets/dogs/greyhounds
While there is no longer a legal requirement, there may be times when a muzzle is appropriate and necessary. For example, GAP recommends that greyhounds are fitted with a muzzle when being introduced to other pets and to small children for the first time. The greyhound should also be leashed during these introductions. In addition, some greyhounds may display a level of predatory behaviour (also known as prey-drive) towards small animals. If you have adopted your greyhound from GAP, your greyhound will have been assessed for predatory behaviour. As this assessment is conducted at a point in time however, it is possible that predatory behaviour may present at a later date. As such, it is important that greyhound owners understand the signs of predatory behaviour and contact GAP for assistance if any of these signs are observed. Further information about recognising and managing predatory behaviour can be found here: https://gap.grv.org.au/understanding-managing-prey-drive/.
Leash requirements
It is a legal requirement that all greyhounds (including greyhounds with a GAP Green Collar) are kept on leash and under effective control at all times when away from their home property. This applies to any public area, including off-leash dog parks. GAP does not recommend taking greyhounds to off-leash dog parks (even if kept on leash as required by law), as dog-on-dog related incidents are more likely to occur due to lack of control by other owners. This is a risk in relation to all breeds of dogs, not just greyhounds.
Greyhounds are sighthounds and run at speeds in excess of 60km/h. Many have poor recall skills and often won’t come when called if they see something that takes their attention. Even a greyhound with great recall could see something in the distance and run off to try and reach it. A sighthound in this mode can easily run into a busy road or fence without realising the danger. Therefore, for their safety, all greyhounds must be leashed in public at all times.
Should your greyhound be off-leash and become involved in an incident with another dog, not only could you be fined by your council, but you may also be liable for any injuries or veterinary bills incurred by the other party. In addition, Victorian laws regarding dangerous dogs, may result in you being taken to court and your greyhound being declared dangerous.
For more information on dangerous and menacing dogs please visit https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/dogs/dog-attacks-dangerous-and-menacing-dogs
Meet our dogs ready for adoption
All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.
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Lad
Phil
Denzel ARP
Denzel is a big, handsome greyhound with striking white markings and a quiet, gentle nature. While he can be a little reserved when meeting new people, it doesn't take long for his friendly and personable side to shine through. An independent boy, Denzel is happy doing his own thing and would be well suited to a home where he can relax and enjoy life at his own pace. He may be suitable to live as an only dog, or with a medium to large canine companion. Denzel may also be suitable to live with children aged 5 years and over.
This greyhound is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). Through this program, greyhounds stay with their current owners while they wait to find their perfect forever home. If you're interested in adopting this dog, we'll arrange for them to come into GAP specifically for you to meet and complete the adoption process. Since the dog is being brought into the program based on your interest, we ask that applicants be reasonably confident this is the greyhound they'd like to welcome into their family. Unlike our standard adoption process, you won't be able to meet multiple dogs at the same time however our team will share lots of information about this greyhound to help you determine if they're the perfect match for your family.
Patches
Thomas ARP
Issy
Judge George
Suzie ARP
Looking for a social butterfly that loves attention, always happy and favourite thing in the whole world is bum scratches? Then Suzie is your girl! This fun, adorable lady is looking for her forever home and we can’t wait for her to find it. We think she may sui living with children 5 and over and with or without another male canine companion of any size. She may even suit living with full-timeworkers!
This greyhound is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). Through this program, greyhounds stay with their current owners while they wait to find their perfect forever home.
If you're interested in adopting this dog, we'll arrange for them to come into GAP specifically for you to meet and complete the adoption process. Since the dog is being brought into the program based on your interest, we ask that applicants be reasonably confident this is the greyhound they'd like to welcome into their family. Unlike our standard adoption process, you won't be able to meet multiple dogs at the same time however our team will share lots of information about this greyhound to help you determine if they're the perfect match for your family.
Yogi ARP
Yogi is a friendly, outgoing greyhound with a happy wagging tail and a love for people. Confident, affectionate and full of enthusiasm, he's always ready to make new friends and be part of the action. Yogi may be suitable to live as an only dog or with a medium to large canine companion. He may also be suitable to live with children aged 10 years and over.
This greyhound is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). Throughthis program, greyhounds stay with their current owners while they wait to findtheir perfect forever home. If you're interested in adopting this dog, we'llarrange for them to come into GAP specifically for you to meet and complete theadoption process. Since the dog is being brought into the program based on yourinterest, we ask that applicants be reasonably confident this is the greyhoundthey'd like to welcome into their family. Unlike our standard adoption process,you won't be able to meet multiple dogs at the same time however our team willshare lots of information about this greyhound to help you determine if they'rethe perfect match for your family.
Oreo ARP
Everyone loves a sweet treat, and this sweet treat is one you will love more and more everyday. Oreo is an extremely polite, gentle and easy girl to have around and she is lovely to walk on lead. We think she may suit living with or without another medium or larger canine friend and children 5 and over. She may also suit full time workers.
This greyhound is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). Through this program, greyhounds stay with their current owners while they wait to find their perfect forever home.
If you're interested in adopting this dog, we'll arrange for them to come into GAP specifically for you to meet and complete the adoption process. Since the dog is being brought into the program based on your interest, we ask that applicants be reasonably confident this is the greyhound they'd like to welcome into their family. Unlike our standard adoption process, you won't be able to meet multiple dogs at the same time however our team will share lots of information about this greyhound to help you determine if they're the perfect match for your family.