Greyhound Owners Call For Change To Muzzle Laws

Greyhound owners and their beloved pets gathered with Nigel Dalton, Member for Mackay, to discuss Queensland’s muzzle laws. Reilly, with Keith and Anne McCollim, Higgins and Liam with Kate Chiconi, Lotti with Lyn Harris, and Pheobe with Lisa Veney. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara  

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A group of passionate greyhound owners from the Happy Greys Social Club recently met with Nigel Dalton, Member for Mackay, to advocate for a review of Queensland’s requirement that greyhounds must wear muzzles in public.

The gathering brought together several owners and their dogs, providing supporters an opportunity to demonstrate the gentle temperament that they say defines the breed.

Under current Queensland legislation, greyhounds are generally required to wear a muzzle in public unless they are recognised through the Queensland Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) and identified by the program’s green collar. Where council local laws permit, this collar allows GAP greyhounds to be walked muzzle free.  

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Queensland is widely considered the only Australian state where a broad public muzzling requirement for greyhounds still applies.

Co-founder of Happy Greys Social Club in Mackay, Kate Chiconi explained the group reached out directly to Mr Dalton to begin the conversation.

“Lyn and I are co-founders of the Happy Greys Social Club and between us we wrote a letter and sent it to Nigel Daltons office.”

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She said the meeting allowed the Member for Mackay to see the dogs up close.

Ms Chiconi, who owns retired racing greyhounds Higgins and Liam, said the breed is often misunderstood.

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“People who know anything about greyhounds know that they are inherently not aggressive dogs,” she said.

“They’ve been trained to chase, not attack.”

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She described greyhounds as calm and affectionate companions.

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“They are gentle, they’re quiet, they rarely bark, they’re calm, they’re great with kids and good with each other,” she said.  

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“They absolutely don’t need to wear a muzzle outside.”

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Fellow club co-founder Lyn Harris attended with her dog Lotti, who she said came into her life after a difficult start.

“She came from the pound after being dumped in the bush,” Ms Harris said.

“We’ve had her for about five years now and she’s around seven. It’s wonderful that she landed on her feet with us. She’s such a good dog.”

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Ms Harris said greyhounds are known for their funny and relaxed nature.

“They do all the quirky things like lying on their back with their legs in the air. They call it ‘roaching’,” she said.

“They sleep for about 18 hours a day after half an hour of exercise,”  

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She, along with other group members believe the muzzle requirement sends the wrong message about the breed.

“They’re not a dangerous or aggressive breed of dog,” Ms Harris said. “They deserve to be living their best life, muzzle free.”

Mr Dalton said he is now looking into the background of the legislation and whether it remains justified.

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“At this stage we’re doing research into why we have these laws in Queensland which say that a greyhound that has raced before has to wear a muzzle in public,” he said.

“I don’t think greyhounds should have that stigma.”

He said dangerous behaviour should be addressed regardless of breed.

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“A dangerous dog is a dangerous dog and they should be dealt with under the legislation,” Mr Dalton said.  

“But a dangerous dog could be any breed. Why are we just focusing on one particular breed?”

Mr Dalton said the next step is to examine the evidence.

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“I want to examine the evidence behind it and see whether or not it’s something we can change,” he said.

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While no immediate changes have been proposed, the conversation has prompted fresh discussion around whether greyhounds, often known as gentle giants, should be required to wear muzzles in public after retiring from racing in Queensland.

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