Every afternoon near Mowbray, a pack of greyhounds catch-up for a frolic, a few sprints and to sniff around - but it's not at the racecourse.
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In a small park at Heritage Forest they're able to lose their leashes and freely express themselves, some practically jumping off the ground as they excitedly rush around, others slowly wander the outskirts and, after a little while, one starts to sprint the boundary.
The others look up and go to join in, rushing to and fro in a pack before they suddenly stop and play among themselves.
Since opening in January, the greyhound-only dog park - believed to be the first of its kind in Australia - has been a godsend for adopted dogs and their owners alike.
"As soon as you let these two off - the second you're inside the gate - it's bang! As fast as lightning up to the far end there," greyhound adopter Mike Filce said. "These two will do a couple of laps around the block and then they're happy."
It's the only public place in Tasmania where greyhounds can be off-leash, allowing them to fully sprint to their heart's content, or simply wander the fence to sniff other dogs in the main park right next door. And for the naturally placid greyhounds, a quick run is often enough before they start lazing around.
Robyn Bolam said it was important for adopted greyhounds to be among their own kind in a relaxing and safe off-leash environment.
"Like any dog, they need exercise. And for them to actually run or go for a trot even, it's even better, because usually they can't unless you own a property where they can run around a paddock, but most people don't," she said.
"They love their own kind, they know their own kind, they recognise them."
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The park was made possible after a law change in Tasmania in December 2019 that allowed greyhounds to be off-leash in a designated public place. City of Launceston councillor Andrew Dawkins had asked the government to make the change, which paved the way for the dedicated area to be established.
Clarence and Kingborough councils are now looking into setting up their own greyhound-only spaces.
Greyhound Rehabilitation Enthusiasts Association Tasmania co-founder Rosie Saville was instrumental in getting the laws changed. She said it was vital for the health and wellbeing of the former racing dogs.
"It's just really good for their social stimulation and their muscle tone," she said.
Need for homes continues to grow
Not all greyhounds have been so lucky, however.
A Tasmanian parliamentary inquiry into the greyhound racing industry in 2016 found about 76 per cent of greyhounds that had been retired, rehomed, euthanased or died from natural causes had met "premature deaths". Described as a "wastage rate", the parliamentary committee described this as "unacceptable".
Last year, TasRacing introduced new rules requiring owners to "make all reasonable efforts to avoid euthanasia" by finding long-term homes for retired greyhounds. A greyhound can only be euthanased after written approval from the controlling body, such as if they are suffering an incurable condition or injury that causes significant pain or discomfort.
It meant the number of greyhounds needing homes has increased rapidly.
While the changes were welcomed, Ms Saville said more people needed to consider adopting a greyhound.
"It's estimated there's 700 greyhounds coming out per annum, whereas in the past it was 250. It's created a much bigger need to rehome them," she said.
"There could be a glut of greyhounds. It also means that if, in the past, greyhounds were being put down but now they're not, there's more of them just on owners' properties needing adopting. We hope their quality of life is acceptable."
So far in 2021, 128 greyhounds have suffered injuries in Tasmania and two have been euthanised following collisions while racing - one from suffering a fractured leg and elbow during a collision at Launceston in February, and another from a fractured humerous bone at Devonport last month.
The government has provided $8 million for a new greyhound and harness racing track at Devonport. Ms Saville said that to help reduce trauma to greyhounds, a straight track - rather than an oval - should be considered.
The consultation period for the new track finished earlier this month.
An enjoyable retirement
Retired greyhound Jasper never ceases to delight his owner Angela Walters.
Jaspers' powerful hindquarters and sleek body belie his playful and relaxed nature.
"All he wants to do is cuddle and sleep," Ms Walters said.
She will also take him for daily walks with his best friends: some miniature poodles and Schnauzers.
"Sometimes the little dogs will get scared, so they'll go underneath him and he'll protect them," Ms Walters said. "When I first said I was going to get a greyhound, my children were aghast. They said, 'no mum, don't they'll pull you over'. But he's never pulled me over, he'll walk at my pace and if I ask him to slow down, he will.
"I couldn't ask for anything more."
It was a common sentiment on a sunny late Thursday afternoon at Heritage Forest as about 10 greyhounds wandered around free from their leashes. Other greyhound adopters spoke of their pet's easygoing nature.
One said they had owned two chihuahuas for 14 years "and they were far more trouble" with constant barking, whereas greyhounds rarely bark.
Not all have racing backgrounds. They might have simply not been able to make the cut.
Ms Bolam said they were widely considered one of the easiest breeds to adopt.
"They don't need a lot of exercise, often just a 10 or 15 minute walk once or twice a day," she said.
"They are generally a placid dog, they're usually placid when inside the home, they might sleep most of the day. They're an ideal apartment dog because they don't need the backyard really to run around in, but they do like to go out for a walk.
"They don't bark a lot, they don't smell, they don't shed too much, they don't really jump, not much licking.
"They're no different to other dogs as long as you socialise them properly."
The Greyhound Adoption Program and Brightside Farm Sanctuary provide adoption services in Tasmania.