South Australian greyhound racing declares new welfare based 38°C hot weather policy
Greyhound Racing South Australia (GRSA) has updated its Hot Weather Policy with immediate effect, further clarifying scheduling decisions and race requirements for hot weather affected racing and events.
Most notably, the updated policy includes:
- Requirement to reschedule, relocate or cancel races and events on days forecast to reach 38°C or higher (per forecast day prior);
- Additional clause enforcing abandonment if these temperatures are reached on the day despite a lower forecast;
- Requirements for events conducted on days forecast at 35°C or higher, ensuring races must either meet additional requirements, or else be rescheduled, relocated or cancelled.
While the policy previously enforced such requirements at 40°C, stewards have routinely abandoned or rescheduled race meetings well below this cut off temperature based on local conditions and veterinary advice.
Stewards have moved, cancelled or abandoned over 40 meetings due to extreme heat since 2014.
GRSA CEO Bodelle Francis said that the policy update would clarify decision-making standards for all stakeholders while also allowing stewards and on-track veterinarians to continue making welfare based decisions.
“GRSA's Hot Weather Policy has always been, and continues to be, based on the experience and discretion of our Stewards and professional on-track veterinarians as well as GRSA's overarching commitment to welfare,” Bodelle said.
“We have updated the policy to reflect decisions that are already being made when the temperature reaches or exceeds 35°C.
“Stewards make these decisions based on time of day, location and local climate conditions, because every event is different.
“The updated policy has been benchmarked against other jurisdictions and aligns with national best practice.”
The Hot Weather Policy was also updated to include transportation requirements on hot days – standards that previously existed in GRSA's Animal Welfare Policy.
“We've brought all hot weather requirements into the one policy to clarify for all stakeholders the standards of care we expect from everyone in the industry,” Bodelle said.
“That includes requirements for transport and club facilities to ensure that greyhounds are given access to air-conditioning, cooling baths, hosing and ice vests during warmer weather.
“We regularly communicate these requirements to participants during periods of hot weather and increase compliance checks and inspections, with the majority of our participants already using air-conditioned vehicles to transport dogs as well as minimising their time spent outside air-conditioned facilities.
“The reality is these standards are being upheld – but it's important that our policies are continually reviewed and updated to reflect that.”
The policy applies to all GRSA events, including race meetings, coursing, trials or any other racing related events conducted at a GRSA location.