Free the Snoot
THE SNOOT IS FREE!
After an almost 5-year-long Free the Snoot campaign, we can now celebrate companion greyhounds being allowed to be unmuzzled in public in Western Australia.
Free the Hounds want to say a huge thank you to @lisabakermaylands, Stephen Price MLA, and @johncareyperth for your support with this campaign. In addition, a massive thank you to our loyal followers who fought along side us for this change. Your support is appreciated and we couldn’t have done it without you.
Though greyhounds are officially allowed to be unmuzzled in public, we encourage owners to adopt responsible pet ownership. If muzzling your greyhound in public is the safest option for them, please continue to do so. We’ve shared Max’s Story here, about why his parents will have no hesitation muzzling him.
ABOUT THE FREE THE SNOOT CAMPAIGN
The ‘Free the Snoot’ campaign was launched in 2016, with the aim to remove the breed specific legislation that requires companion greyhounds to be muzzled in public in Western Australia.
Greyhounds are the only dog breed in WA that are required to be muzzled due to an outdated law that is soon to be repealed by the WA Government.
The WA Government is following the lead of NT, VIC, NSW & ACT Governments and some local QLD Governments that have changed the muzzle law in recent years.
Nowhere else in the world besides Northern Ireland and our own WA, SA and TAS are greyhounds required to be muzzled in public.
In July 2019, just before the statutory review of the Dog Act, Free the Hounds tabled petitions to both the upper and lower house of State Parliament, containing over 4,000 local signatures in support of the removal of the muzzle law.
Over the public consultation period of the Dog Act review, the State Government received over 1100 submissions showing strong community support for the removal of the muzzle law.
On November 26th 2019, the WA Government announced it would change the law so pet greyhounds are no longer required to wear a muzzle in public in WA.
In February 2020, the Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Bill 2020, which includes the removal of the requirement for pet greyhounds to be muzzled in public was introduced to WA Parliament.
There were delays with progressing the Bill further due to urgent COVID related bills needing to be prioritised and opposition to the bill from the dog breeding community and members of the Liberal, National and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers parties.
The Bill was reintroduced to WA Parliament on June 2nd 2021 and passed the Legislative Assembly on 17th August. Now the Bill is expected to be debated in the Legislative Council in early September.
Free The Hounds acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to elders both past and present.
We are committed to building an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity represented in our community. We welcome all people regardless of age, gender identity, ethnicity, ability, sexuality, faith, religion, and all other identities represented in our community.