Media release – Animal Liberation Tasmania (ALT), 4 September 2023
GAP Tasmania security, will Roman be killed?
Animal Liberation Tasmania (ALT) have been made aware that Greyhound Adoption Program Tasmania (GAP TAS) have introduced night security guards at the Mangalore kennels, who report to the current acting manager Susan Gittus (previously found guilty of the presence of a prohibited substance in a greyhound she trained). We are also reliably informed that the cages of individual dogs have been padlocked, which has previously not been common practice.
The security guards have reportedly stated that their presence is due ‘political unrest’, possibly referring to the release of recent anonymously provided footage by our organisation, and the the resulting increase in public scrutiny of the greyhound racing industry.
This leads us to ask the question: what is GAP TAS so concerned about the broader public seeing?
In March 2023, leaked Tasracing documents allegedly revealed recommendations by industry, and the new chief vet and welfare manager Dr. Lenz, that euthanasia of dogs not ready for adoption after a restrictively short rehabilitation process be reintroduced. ABC News reported that some within the industry have become frustrated at adoption levels not ‘meeting expectations’. In the 2020-21 period, GAP TAS adopted out 81 dogs with the adoption centre receiving $900 000 in funding according to the November 2022 Leg Co. business scrutiny committee. This equates to $11000 per dog adopted.
ALT are aware of at least one dog who is at imminent risk of being killed and are deeply concerned that the sudden presence of security guards is an indicator that his and others times are up. Roman (racing name Roman Knows Best) has an unfortunate history that has resulted in his being almost permanently muzzled at the kennel. With an appropriate supportive environment and behavioral plan, Roman could have a long and healthy life. Instead, through no fault of his own, he finds himself at risk of being killed. We are also concerned for a number of other dogs who, due to inappropriate management of health issues, may likewise be at significant risk.
Photos of Roman, his GAP listing, GRV Fastrack listing and Tasracing listing including last races attached below.
At a time when Tasracing is posting GAP TAS billboards and bus adverts across the state declaring they ‘have it all’ for racing dogs and retirement plans, to then read of these cases in abhorrent. Whilst there are many good people working in the GAP system around the country, and many people have adopted their beloved greyhounds through the program, GAP itself is little more than an expensive exercise in humane-washing the greyhound racing industry, in an attempt to make the industry seem less exploitative and harmful in the broader public perception. And over the years, private rescues and sanctuaries have carried the burden of ‘wastage’ from this industry without funding support and without being beholden to the racing industry itself.
It is long past due that Tasracing ceased using the lovers of survivor greyhounds and post-racing advertising tools, and actively addresses why dogs are finding themselves confined to the GAP TAS kennels for protracted periods of time, why killing seems to be making a potential comeback for these ‘retired’ greyhounds, and why GAP TAS is so concerned with increasing security at their site.
