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 The family believe the laws are outdated and need to change.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.

Perfect Draw For A Big Night By Jeff Collerson Night Tracker has had two wins and three placings from nine Wentworth Park appearances but has not been drawn so suitably as he is at headquarters on Saturday night. The Syd Swain-trained dog has box two in the 520m Ladbrokes Switch Stakes, marking the first time he has been closer to the fence than box three. Interestingly Night Tracker has worn the white vest just once and that was when he won a 520m Maiden Final at Wentworth Park in September, clocking a nippy 30.11s. Night Tracker had box eight at his most recent start when he overcame a slow start to win over 535m at Richmond on October 23. "I was pleased with his Richmond run because he didn't get on the track until he reached the fence at the top of the straight,'' Syd Swain said. "He is power-laden at the finish but lacks early zip and that caused him to get dragged down at the first turn when he finished third at Wentworth Park on October 17. "That was a terrific run because Night Tracker was giving the leader a dozen length coming to the home turn and was beaten just under three lengths. "While Night Tracker's best Wenty figures are 30.11 he has got under 30s in a 520m trial there so he has the ability to put time on the clock.'' Chrissie Banner returns to Wentworth Park in Saturday's Where Else But Wenty Stakes for the first time since being beaten a neck when favourite in the Young Star Classic on October 16. Before that race Chrissie Banner had won four of her seven Wentworth Park races but in the Classic she led early before being headed at the first turn by the speedster Rapallo. Rapallo got away with a clear lead in the middle stages before Chrissie Banner rallied late and went down in a tight finish. Chrissie Banner was a long odds-on favourite at LADBROKES GARDENS last week but lost all chance when skittled by a wide runner at the first turn. "I was happy with her run at The Gardens because she was last in a field of six on the back straight and showed a lot of character to get up and run third,'' trainer Barry Gibbons said. "She has box four on Saturday night and I prefer seeing her a couple of boxes off the rails because Chrissie Banner likes to be in the middle of the track.'' Gibbons though is in awe of rival, the Peter Sims-trained Second Exit, who scored a sensational win over 600m at LADBROKES GARDENS last week and who is ideally positioned in box eight. "There was a massive burst of rain just before Second Exit's race last week but she not only beat my good bitch Lilly Banner by nearly 10 lengths, but she clocked a smart 34.53 in the process,'' Gibbons said. "After watching that I believe Chrissie Banner will need to pinch a big early break because if Second Exit is hunting our bitch on the back straight she will probably be too strong.'' Trainer Jodie Lord's kennelmates Ritza Donald and Winlock On Top will reprise their thrilling battle from last week's Wentworth Park Free-For-All when they clash again in Saturday's Happy Halloween Stakes. Last week Ritza Donald jumped in front from box five but was quickly tackled by Winlock On Top, who had missed the jump from box two, and they controlled first and second placings throughout the race. At the finish Ritza Donald prevailed by a head in a fast 29.86, not far outside the best times he and Winlock On Top have recorded at Wentworth Park. On Saturday Ritza Donald has the advantage of box one but Winlock On Top, who has box eight, can handle a wide draw and could reverse last week's placings if he begins cleanly. Ritza Donald has won four of his five starts from the rails alley while Winlock On Top's record from box eight is two wins from four outings. Best Bet Flying Ricciardo (race 7) Best Value Night Tracker (race 2) Quaddie race 5 - 8, 1 Race 6 - 8, 6, 4 Race 7 - 6, 8, 5 Race 8 - 6, 1, 3 $20 for 37.03% Story Origin can be viewed at https://worldgreyhoundorganisation.com/Enthusiasts/News/UploadLatestNews?id=f8c33b42-2d9a-423c-63e2-08d86ee129d6

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.

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.

Ricciardo To Fly Off The Grid By Jeff Collerson Early speed wins big races so it is hard to go past the Kristy Sultana-trained Flying Ricciardo in Friday night's TAB Million Dollar Chase. Although favourite Shadow Mist clocked an opening section of 5.40 in his all-the-way heat win from box six, Flying Ricciardo has got under 5.50 in each of his four Wentworth Park outings. At his Wenty debut on August 8 Flying Ricciardo reeled off a first split of 5.43 before winning in 29.96 and recorded 5.40 on his way to his 29.73 victory on August 13. Before winning in 29.74 on September 30 Flying Ricciardo recorded an initial section of 5.44 and clocked 5.43 in last week's 29.71 semi-final win. Shadow Mist has posted reliably quick first splits too, recording 5.42 and 5.47 in solo trials at WP before last Friday's win, but can he show the same zip from box one as he did when he "came out running'' in his semi? If there was any doubt about his tenacity Flying Ricciardo's grit was there for all to see last Friday when he prevailed by a nose after a neck-and-neck battle with outstanding Victorian Faithy Bale from start to finish. Tommy Shelby's 29.58 win in the fastest of the eight semi-finals was a remarkable performance as he collided with Hammer Down when the lids lifted. But the WA star is a keen railer and will need to "ping the lids'' if he is to get across from box eight in the final. Tommy Shelby has won three of his four races from box eight but as a leading Sydney trainer pointed out to me this week: "It's one thing to do that in races in Perth but it's likely to be a different proposition in a Million Dollar Chase final.'' Sunset Bourbski was beaten just under four lengths by Here's Tears in her heat but part-owner Ross Davidson believes she can reverse the placings in Friday night's final of the group 1 Sydney Cup. Here's Tears took the lead at the catching pen before winning his heat in 42.16, fastest of the three 720m qualifiers, while Sunset Bourbski came from fourth on the back straight. Sunset Bourbski was having her first race since winning over 725m at The Meadows on September 16 and in hindsight she might have needed the run,'' Davidson said of his Andrea Dailly-trained star. "In her final trial before the Cup heats Sunset Bourbski clocked 30.64 over 545m at Ballarat, which is not far outside the record, while her run home time was a virtually unheard of 14.16. "She was kept wide all the way around in her heat yet her run home time last Friday was actually better than when she won in 42.20 over 720m at Wenty in June. "Sunset Bourbski has the perfect draw on Friday and we don't need any good luck, we just don't want any of the bad kind.'' Sunburnt Highway looks the dog to beat in Friday night's other $100,000 to the winner event, the Masters Meteor, although his heat time of 29.91 was matched by his arch rival Nangar Kash. "Sunburnt Highway has box five but he always goes straight after he jumps from the boxes so it never really matters what box he draws,'' trainer Judith Richardson said. "I would dearly love to win this race, not for the money, but as reward for the time and dedication my husband John has devoted to our greyhounds for the past 50 years.'' Nangar Kash seems well placed in box seven but after the draw trainer Mick Hardman declared: "My dog badly needed to be boxed inside Sunburnt Highway.'' Best Bet Chrome (race 4) Best Value Ice Cream Story (race 2) Quaddie race 5 - 2, 4, 3 race 6 - 5, 7 Race 7 - 7, 1, 3 Race 8 - 2, 6, 4 $20 for 37.03% For full story please visit: https://www.thedogs.com.au/news/2020-10-15/ricciardo-to-fly-off-the-grid