Can I let my Greyhound off lead?

Absolutely not!  If you are looking for a dog that will run or walk off lead, then a Greyhound is not for you!
 
Most importantly, please remember what the Greyhound has been bred over thousands of years to do.  Greyhounds are only tested around small dogs whilst on a lead. If we were only going to rehome greyhounds that are safe around lots of small, white fluffies in an off lead park, then there wouldn't be many left to find homes for! 
 
It is extremely dangerous to allow a Greyhound to run off lead, including in off leash dog parks. Greyhounds run at speeds in excess of 60kph and have extremely poor recall skills. The fastest of us can only run a mere 40 kph, so there is no chance of you being able to run and catch your Greyhound if it bolts. In addition, Greyhounds have been bred for thousands of years for one thing: speed. In the case of retired racers, the situation is more acute because they have had the speed and chase mentality reinforced in them from the moment they were born. They often won’t come when called, particularly once they see something that takes their attention. Greyhounds have absolutely no road sense, especially when focused on the chase and can easily run out on the road and get hit by a car.                
                                                                                                                             
We have heard many heartbreaking horror stories of Greyhounds being killed after being hit by a car, breaking bones or being impaled by sticks or poles after mishaps when they’ve been allowed to run off lead. Also, should your Greyhound be off lead & become involved in an incident with another dog, not only will you be fined by your council, you may also be liable for any injuries or vet bills incurred by the other party, which can easily mount to thousands of dollars. All GAP Greyhounds have undergone The GAP Behaviour Assessment© which is a very comprehensive assessment of the dogs' personality, but it is still a dog! The temptation to chase a small dog racing around the park off lead can often be too much for any breed of dog, let alone a Greyhound that can run at more than 60kph and easily catch and possibly hurt a small dog.           
                                                                                                                        
Whilst your GAP Greyhound is considered by law to be "decommissioned" and therefore regarded as a pet dog under the current legislation, we respectfully request that you do not under any circumstances place your Greyhound in what could become a life threatening situation by allowing them to run off lead.            
                          
Remember, you and your dog are ambassadors for GAP. We are all working very hard to change the public’s perception about Greyhounds and negative publicity from incidents where greyhounds have been allowed off lead and have attacked or rushed at a small dog can very quickly bring years of good work undone. Please help us to continue to promote both responsible pet ownership and a positive image for Greyhounds as Pets.