Council to support push for greyhound off-leash areas

Published on 13 June 2019

The City of Launceston has voted in favour of a motion from Councillor Andrea Dawkins to lobby for changes to the Dog Control Act to allow for greyhounds to be exercised off-leash in dedicated greyhound off-leash areas.

Currently, under the Dog Control Act 2000, section 18 states that it is an offence to exercise a greyhound off-leash on any public land.

Cr Dawkins' motion would see the Council raising the matter with LGAT and the State Government, seeking an amendment to the Act that would allow the creation of dedicated greyhound off-leash areas.

The State Government is already considering such an amendment, which would allow for the construction of dog off-leash areas on public land for the exclusive use of greyhounds.

The Council also agreed that Council officers should identify an appropriate parcel of land in Launceston to develop as a dedicated greyhound off-leash area, should there be an amendment to the legislation in the future.