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Unjust treatment of Greyhounds - Dog owner told to keep rescue greyhound on tight leash or face conv

https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/dog-owner-told-to-keep-rescue-greyhound-on-tight-leash-or-face-conviction-after-being-fined-in-offleash-park/607593f1-0485-4e5f-b0ae-d44a3e37166a A Melbourne man has been forced to cough up almost $8000 in fees for letting his "docile and placid" greyhound run free at an off-leash park. Denny Mileikowski fought eight charges of letting the rescued greyhound roam freely at Princes Park in Caufield South. Under Victorian laws, enforced by councils, greyhounds must be on a leash when in public places, including off-leash areas. Willow the greyhound is owned by Denny Mileikowski. (A Current Affair) Denny Mileikowski fought eight charges of letting the rescued greyhound roam freely at Princes Park in Caufield South. (A Current Affair) Related Melbourne councils continue to hand out parking fines despite crisis Furry friends helping schoolkids learn to read Parking fine waved after outraged doctor took to Twitter "Our hands are tied behind our back. We either break the law, or we're irresponsible dog owners having them on a lead all the time, it amounts to animal cruelty." Mr Mileikowski told A Current Affair. The 59-year-old was sentenced to a 12-month good behaviour bond and was ordered to pay the council's legal costs of $7990. "That's a lot of money. $8000 is a fair whack to receive for the criminal act of walking a greyhound off leash in an off-leash area," Mr Mileikowski said. "If I let her off the leash now, I'll break my good behaviour bond and I'll have a conviction against my name for walking Willow off a leash." 59-year-old Denny Mileikowski was sentenced to a 12-month good behaviour bond and was ordered to pay the council's legal costs of $7990 (A Current Affair) Denny Mileikowski's greyhound Willow. Mr Mileikowski's 21-year-old daughter, Lior, takes the trained therapy dog to hospitals for weekly visits. "The fact that she can make other people smile even in the darkest days. I think that shows a lot about her temperament," Ms Mileikowski said. "We're responsible dog owners. Willow's a lovely natured dog and we should be able to walk her at our local dog park if we think it is safe to do so." The family believe the laws are outdated and need to change. "The laws are antiquated, they're so old, they're from 1994. So many greyhounds have been rehomed and rehabilitated and the law needs to change," Mr Mileikowski said. Denny Mileikowski's 21-year-old daughter, Lior, takes the trained therapy dog to hospitals for weekly visits. (A Current Affair) Denny Mileikowski's 21-year-old daughter, Lior said they are responsible dog owners. (A Current Affair) In a statement to A Current Affair, CEO of Glen Eira City Council, Rebecca McKenzie said: "Glen Eira is the municipality in Melbourne with the least amount of open space per head of population – passive and active open space is therefore at a premium and highly contested for multiple uses." "Council has never asserted that Willow is a dangerous dog," Ms McKenzie said. A spokesperson for Animal Welfare Victoria said they are "working with local councils in relation to implementing specific off-leash exercising areas for pet greyhounds, so owners have more options to exercise their pet greyhounds off leash." Dr Liz Walker, CEO of RSPCA Victoria: RSPCA Victoria believes that breed alone is not a reliable predictor of aggressive behaviour and each dog should be assessed individually. A dog's genetics, learning experiences, training and environment all influence its behaviour. Deed, not breed, should be the determining factor in labelling a dog as dangerous. RSPCA Victoria does not support legislation that focuses on specific breeds of dogs, such as current mandatory leashing requirements for greyhounds, as dogs of any size or breed can be dangerous. All responsible pet owners should monitor their own dog's behaviour, regardless of their breed, to understand how they respond to a range of stimuli and environments and then manage them accordingly. Greyhounds make great pets, however, when they are bred and trained to race, many of their early life experiences may not prepare them for life after racing. The positive news is that the new Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds, which came into effect on 1 January this year, requires early and ongoing socialisation with different dog breeds to help them feel comfortable and confident during their life as a pet. These changes to the Code to require early and ongoing socialisation will mean that future generations of greyhounds will be much better adjusted to life as a pet and therefore, allowing greyhounds off lead could then be considered. In the meantime, RSPCA Victoria encourages councils to consider creating greyhound-specific off-leash parks to give them the same opportunity as other dogs to run, play and explore new environments. Statement from Glen Eira City Council: Glen Eira is the municipality in Melbourne with the least amount of open space per head of population – passive and active open space is therefore at a premium and highly contested for multiple uses. In May 2020 Council considered a report on a Dog Off Leash Review. You can find a copy of the report at this link: https://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/media/files/050520%20Agenda.PDF As part of the development of that report, and in response to community feedback, Council sought independent legal advice on its ability under law to make an order under section 26 (2) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 to include an area for greyhounds to be exercised off leash. That advice indicated that Council does not have that power. Council has never asserted that Willow is a dangerous dog. Council has received numerous reports regarding the presence of Greyhounds off leash at Princes Park which is in contravention to State legislation, for which Council is responsible for ensuring compliance. Princes Park is a very popular park and generates a large amount of complaints. Council officers therefore conduct park patrols at that location on a very regular basis. Willow was found to be off leash, in contravention of the legislation, on 8 separate occasions. The court order of $7990.30 represents the cost incurred by Council in legal representation. This could have been avoided in full had an earlier concession been made by the complainant. It is not reasonable that this cost is borne by Glen Eira ratepayers. Council has approximately 13,500 dogs registered. Only 1.4% of these are greyhounds. Council is only aware of two locations within Melbourne where greyhounds can be exercised off-leash: • A private facility in Heatherton - Doggy Play Park - https://www.facebook.com/doggyplaypark/ and • Manningham Greyhound Slipping Track Inc in Park Orchards - https://www.manninghamdirect.com.au/org/manningham-greyhound-slipping-track-inc Animal Welfare Victoria spokesperson Animal Welfare Victoria is working with local councils in relation to implementing specific off-leash exercising areas for pet greyhounds, so owners have more options to exercise their pet greyhounds off leash.

Unjust treatment of Greyhounds - Dog owner told to keep rescue greyhound on tight leash or face conv

https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/dog-owner-told-to-keep-rescue-greyhound-on-tight-leash-or-face-conviction-after-being-fined-in-offleash-park/607593f1-0485-4e5f-b0ae-d44a3e37166a A Melbourne man has been forced to cough up almost $8000 in fees for letting his "docile and placid" greyhound run free at an off-leash park. Denny Mileikowski fought eight charges of letting the rescued greyhound roam freely at Princes Park in Caufield South. Under Victorian laws, enforced by councils, greyhounds must be on a leash when in public places, including off-leash areas. Willow the greyhound is owned by Denny Mileikowski. (A Current Affair) Denny Mileikowski fought eight charges of letting the rescued greyhound roam freely at Princes Park in Caufield South. (A Current Affair) Related Melbourne councils continue to hand out parking fines despite crisis Furry friends helping schoolkids learn to read Parking fine waved after outraged doctor took to Twitter "Our hands are tied behind our back. We either break the law, or we're irresponsible dog owners having them on a lead all the time, it amounts to animal cruelty." Mr Mileikowski told A Current Affair. The 59-year-old was sentenced to a 12-month good behaviour bond and was ordered to pay the council's legal costs of $7990. "That's a lot of money. $8000 is a fair whack to receive for the criminal act of walking a greyhound off leash in an off-leash area," Mr Mileikowski said. "If I let her off the leash now, I'll break my good behaviour bond and I'll have a conviction against my name for walking Willow off a leash." 59-year-old Denny Mileikowski was sentenced to a 12-month good behaviour bond and was ordered to pay the council's legal costs of $7990 (A Current Affair) Denny Mileikowski's greyhound Willow. Mr Mileikowski's 21-year-old daughter, Lior, takes the trained therapy dog to hospitals for weekly visits. "The fact that she can make other people smile even in the darkest days. I think that shows a lot about her temperament," Ms Mileikowski said. "We're responsible dog owners. Willow's a lovely natured dog and we should be able to walk her at our local dog park if we think it is safe to do so." The family believe the laws are outdated and need to change. "The laws are antiquated, they're so old, they're from 1994. So many greyhounds have been rehomed and rehabilitated and the law needs to change," Mr Mileikowski said. Denny Mileikowski's 21-year-old daughter, Lior, takes the trained therapy dog to hospitals for weekly visits. (A Current Affair) Denny Mileikowski's 21-year-old daughter, Lior said they are responsible dog owners. (A Current Affair) In a statement to A Current Affair, CEO of Glen Eira City Council, Rebecca McKenzie said: "Glen Eira is the municipality in Melbourne with the least amount of open space per head of population – passive and active open space is therefore at a premium and highly contested for multiple uses." "Council has never asserted that Willow is a dangerous dog," Ms McKenzie said. A spokesperson for Animal Welfare Victoria said they are "working with local councils in relation to implementing specific off-leash exercising areas for pet greyhounds, so owners have more options to exercise their pet greyhounds off leash." Dr Liz Walker, CEO of RSPCA Victoria: RSPCA Victoria believes that breed alone is not a reliable predictor of aggressive behaviour and each dog should be assessed individually. A dog's genetics, learning experiences, training and environment all influence its behaviour. Deed, not breed, should be the determining factor in labelling a dog as dangerous. RSPCA Victoria does not support legislation that focuses on specific breeds of dogs, such as current mandatory leashing requirements for greyhounds, as dogs of any size or breed can be dangerous. All responsible pet owners should monitor their own dog's behaviour, regardless of their breed, to understand how they respond to a range of stimuli and environments and then manage them accordingly. Greyhounds make great pets, however, when they are bred and trained to race, many of their early life experiences may not prepare them for life after racing. The positive news is that the new Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds, which came into effect on 1 January this year, requires early and ongoing socialisation with different dog breeds to help them feel comfortable and confident during their life as a pet. These changes to the Code to require early and ongoing socialisation will mean that future generations of greyhounds will be much better adjusted to life as a pet and therefore, allowing greyhounds off lead could then be considered. In the meantime, RSPCA Victoria encourages councils to consider creating greyhound-specific off-leash parks to give them the same opportunity as other dogs to run, play and explore new environments. Statement from Glen Eira City Council: Glen Eira is the municipality in Melbourne with the least amount of open space per head of population – passive and active open space is therefore at a premium and highly contested for multiple uses. In May 2020 Council considered a report on a Dog Off Leash Review. You can find a copy of the report at this link: https://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/media/files/050520%20Agenda.PDF As part of the development of that report, and in response to community feedback, Council sought independent legal advice on its ability under law to make an order under section 26 (2) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 to include an area for greyhounds to be exercised off leash. That advice indicated that Council does not have that power. Council has never asserted that Willow is a dangerous dog. Council has received numerous reports regarding the presence of Greyhounds off leash at Princes Park which is in contravention to State legislation, for which Council is responsible for ensuring compliance. Princes Park is a very popular park and generates a large amount of complaints. Council officers therefore conduct park patrols at that location on a very regular basis. Willow was found to be off leash, in contravention of the legislation, on 8 separate occasions. The court order of $7990.30 represents the cost incurred by Council in legal representation. This could have been avoided in full had an earlier concession been made by the complainant. It is not reasonable that this cost is borne by Glen Eira ratepayers. Council has approximately 13,500 dogs registered. Only 1.4% of these are greyhounds. Council is only aware of two locations within Melbourne where greyhounds can be exercised off-leash: • A private facility in Heatherton - Doggy Play Park - https://www.facebook.com/doggyplaypark/ and • Manningham Greyhound Slipping Track Inc in Park Orchards - https://www.manninghamdirect.com.au/org/manningham-greyhound-slipping-track-inc Animal Welfare Victoria spokesperson Animal Welfare Victoria is working with local councils in relation to implementing specific off-leash exercising areas for pet greyhounds, so owners have more options to exercise their pet greyhounds off leash.

Community groups to share in $24,000 in greyhound racing’s TAB Great Chase Grand Final

Greyhound Racing Victoria has shown its commitment to our community of physically and mentally handicapped organisations and people with the running of the Great Chase Final at The Meadows on Wednesday 21st October 2020 In a unique concept 22 groups go into a draw to select a runner in the Final with $24,000 has been allocated to the race to be split amongst the groups lucky enough to draw a runner with $10,000 going to the group that draws the winning dog. GRV needs to be congratulated on this innovative promotion of our sport and shows the world of our sports commitment, not only to the welfare of our dogs but also for the welfare of our community members who are less fortunate.

History repeats itself as Peter Lagoigiane wins the Million Dollar Chase for the 2nd time

Peter Lagogiane does it again A dog they have had just a handful of weeks after it was purchased from Tasmania, has given Peter and Jodie Lagogiane their second success in the Million Dollar Chase. Handsome Prince joined Mystic Riot as MDC winners for the Lagogiane’s, after he too snared the $1 million prize, wearing the seven rug.