Greyhounds 'get 30 mins exercise a day'

The Daily Telegraph

GREYHOUNDS can spend 23-and-a-half-hours a day locked in a small kennel, an inquiry into greyhound racing has heard.

RSPCA scientific officer Jade Norris has told the special commission of inquiry into NSW greyhound racing that once dogs reach 12 months of age and begin training they are kept in individual kennels and may get just 30 minutes of exercise a day.

"A greyhound could be kept for 23 and a half hours out of a 24-hour day in a single, cramped kennel," Dr Norris told the inquiry in Sydney on Thursday.

Greyhound kennels too small: RSPCA

The Australian

RACING greyhounds can be kept for 23 and a half hours a day in kennels that are too small, an animal welfare expert has told an inquiry into the sport.

RSPCA Australia scientific officer Jade Norris has told the special commission of inquiry into NSW greyhound racing that under current codes of practice, dogs can get just 30 minutes of exercise a day.

The rest of their time can be spent in cages just 2m by 1.5m - an enclosure that should be at least three times bigger, Dr Norris said.

"A greyhound could be kept for 23 and a half hours out of a 24 hour day in a single, cramped kennel," Dr Norris said.

Dr Norris said she thought the specified kennel size was too small to allow dogs to move freely and have enough space between where they eat, sleep and relieve themselves.

She also said the practice of keeping dogs individually deprived them of important socialisation with other dogs.

Dr Norris said current codes of practice for NSW greyhound racing required 30 minutes of exercise a day and exercise yards were voluntary but should be mandatory.

Transcript of Dr Norris' evidence:

Homepage of the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Greyhound Racing Industry in NSW: