HON ALISON XAMON (North Metropolitan) [9.05 am]: I present a petition containing 1 186 signatures, couched in the following terms —
To the President and Members of the Legislative Council of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled.
We the undersigned are opposed to the breed specific restriction for companion greyhounds in section 33 of the Dog Act 1976, which requires greyhounds to be muzzled in public. Section 33 is contained in Part VI (‘Control of Dogs’) of the Act. The ‘Special provision for greyhounds’ in section 33(1) states: “A greyhound must be muzzled in such a manner as will prevent it from biting a person or animal unless a) it is in or at premises occupied by its owner; or b) it has successfully completed a prescribed training programme”.
Legislation to repeal the requirement for non-racing greyhounds to be muzzled in public has been enacted in both the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria.
Furthermore, the following organisations also support ending the requirement for non-racing greyhounds to be muzzled in public: Australian Veterinary Association, RSPCA, NSW Greyhound Industry Reform Panel.
We therefore ask the Legislative Council to recommend that the Government follow the lead of the Victorian and ACT Governments and repeal the breed specific legislation that requires companion greyhounds to be muzzled in public in Western Australia.
And your petitioners as in duty bound, will ever pray.