I argued until I was blue in the face that because my dogs are still on my fasttrack account, they still come under GRV, even though they are no longer racing or breeding.
But apparently, according to GRV, a retired dog is no longer on their system!!!
Which means - if GRV welfare or integrity or stewards come on to my property and ask me the whereabouts of a retired dog, I can tell them to go away because they have no jurisdiction over that dog anymore.
It also means I can go hunting with my retired dog. It also means I can breed my dog with a Bull Mastiff bitch and sell super hunting dogs. It also means I can euthanize as many race dogs as I want, all I have to do is retire them. So if the dog fails GAP, I can take it home, retire it as a pet, then euthanize it. No questions asked because the dog is no longer under GRV control.

The thing with GAP is also disappointing to learn. Because we try to do our best to rehome our dogs, but soon people will learn that a privately rehomed dog will cost $200 to register, whereas a GAP dog is $70.

I'm a bit stunned.

City of Bendigo

If your dog or cat is found straying, unregistered, out of control or being a nuisance in public, you may be issued with a fine. You have 28 days to pay that infringement notice or to take other action.

Offences and associated fines
Dog wandering or not securely confined to owner's premises during day $238
Dog wandering or not securely confined to owner's premises at night $317
Dog rushing or chasing a person $159
Non Serious injury caused by dog attack $396
Cat not confined to owner's premises from sunset to sunrise $159

Failure to apply to register a dog or cat $317

Registered dog or cat not wearing its Council ID marker outside owners premises $79
Dog or cat creating a nuisance $79
Dog not under effective control $159
Failure by a person in control of a dog, to carry a bag or means to pick up excrement deposited by their dog in a public place $100
Failure to pick up and properly dispose of your animals excrement in a public place $100

EXTERNAL LINK

Desexed: $45 ($22.50 concession)
10+ years old: $45 ($22.50 concession)
Dogs kept for breeding by the proprieter of a domestic animal business conducted on registered premises: $45 ($22.50 concession)
Dogs registered with an applicable organisation, if their owners are members of the applicable organisation with which the dogs are registered: $45 ($22.50 concession)
Dogs that have completed obedience training which complies with regulations: $45 ($22.50 concession)
Dogs kept by a primary producer on a rural property for working stock: $45 ($22.50 concession)
Declared dangerous, Restricted Breed or Menacing Dog $135
All other dogs: $135 ($67.50 concession)

But what shocked me most is that even though these dogs are still in my name on fasttrack, according to GRV they are off the system.
And that a dog put through GAP is rated differently than one you have loved for it's whole life and given it a forever home.
No incentive at all.
All the new euthanasia rules are totally irrelevant once the dog is retired.

I don't understand Hayden's situation, if the dog went through GAP then that does not seem fair at all, that the council would jump on him.

At the end of the day, most people believe that dogs, cats or whatever should be desexed(If their not breeding stock), the females won't have seasons anymore which in itself takes away many issues/headaches. The males may settle a bit more which also takes away headaches.

I can understand Jamie how you are upset, you have always come across how important the dog is to you. And your care is no less than the GAP owner. But in a way you don't have a certificate if you like for the retired dogs capabilities, and we are fortunate that the council will offer the GAP takers of dogs an incentive.
Obviously your heart is in the right place too.

I never registered my old blue girl at the council because she was going to be a brood bitch but time got the better of us.
I remember getting her checked out at Sandown to see if she was ok for it because of her age, got the all clear.
Time went on from there and more time again. I decided to get her put to sleep at 14 years of age.
I hope some of the above makes sense, all I know is that times have changed, and the greyhound is more important than ever.

p.s. are you going to apply for a 4th litter? best wishes.
Get that one happening first I would say!

p.s. if you ever want a challenge, you can train my boy without his nuts, he's a mad railer, would like someone else to give him a great chance.

Just a general question: If, for example, you sent your bitch to GAP - is it so that you can ask for that greyhound to be re homed to you?

I suppose I should specify when you - retire as a pet opposed to breeding or racing, as above.
Once you retire as a pet, with no more intention for that greyhound to be involved any more in anyway.
Just a real pet.

And no I'm not training anymore but thanks for the offer.

I have spent a few months getting my head around all of it to after moving to Victoria. In NSW we have a local rule that means if the greyhound is staying with the owner or trainer when they retire they dont have to be registered with the council. Great initiative that makes it much easier for participants to keep dogs in retirement even if they wont be used for breeding. I am going to write to GRV suggesting they adopt this rule. I have always kept all my dogs as pets after racing in NSW but given the expense of registering here as well as needing the excess dog permits, I am not sure that that will be feasible in Victoria.

In moving to Victoria, I brought with me 2 retired greyhounds and 2 active greyhounds. After reading through a heap of information it was clear retired dogs are meant to be registered with the Council, any active dogs dont. We had to put in for an excess dog permit and the two active dogs were just listed by the Council as GRV registered. I got the shock of my life when I saw how much it was to register a non-desexed dog. Booked my boy in to be desexed the next day. For my racing bitch I am thinking about whether it will be more feasible to register her as a broodbitch when she retires, even though I have no intention of breeding with her, so she will still be active with GRV.

GRV has a microchip register for retired greyhounds. My two retired ones are on this, however, they still need to be registered with the council. I dont know what that means in terms of what control each group has over them.

The issue you mentioned about the broodbitch becoming inactive at 8 or after certain number of litters is a big issue. As an active broodbitch you pay no registration fees to the Council. Once a dog is 10 years of age you get the reduced fee. However, there is at least a 2 year period where you would be expected to pay the full fee. It seems to be an anomaly that came about because they decided at 8 years of age broodbitches were inactive but they didnt think through all the consequences of that.

I was going to write to my local member about this issue. It really should be very easy and cheap for participants to keep their dogs in retirement. Isnt that what they want us to do? Ill let you know if I hear anything back.