WA Police officers adopt retired racing greyhounds

They say dogs are a man’s best friend, and these perfect pooches are doing just that — making the days of WA Police officers a little less ‘ruff’.

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Like Magnus, an adorable three-year-old greyhound enjoying his golden years being showered in treats, tickles and tummy rubs. Once a successful racing dog, the clever canine was adopted by First Class Constable Jasmin Holmes last August, filling the paw-shaped hole in her and her young family’s lives.

“I didn’t realise I needed a dog so much until I got Magnus,” she told The West Australian. “As you can imagine being a police officer, you don’t know what your day is going to involve... sometimes I come home to a house by myself and he’s there to greet me.

“His excitement to see me is so refreshing... if I need some affection, it’s almost like he can sense that and he’ll come up and jump on me.”

Magnus is just one of the 2645 retired greyhounds who have been adopted into a loving home since 2015 thanks to Racing and Wagering WA’s remarkable Greyhounds as Pets program.

The program helps re-home greyhounds once they have retired from their racing careers, allowing them to enjoy a long peaceful retirement. Of the 2645 pups, at least 30 have been adopted by WA Police officers.

First Const. Holmes said she was instantly besotted after one of her colleagues brought their pet greyhound — which had also been adopted through GAP — into work. Within days she had sent off an application, met Magnus and brought him home to meet his new family. “The loyalty Magnus gives me is completely different,” she said.

“He’s the perfect addition to the family and it’s been great to be able to give him a very very lovely life.

“I think it’s safe to say that he’s loving life... it’s been really lovely to see him learn how to be a domesticated dog and be loved.”

Police Sergeant Benjamin Cochrane adopted his beloved greyhound, Honey, last November and described her as the “princess of the household”. “She’s living a life of leisure... she gets a little bit of steak with her dinner, she is truly number one,” he said. “It’s so nice seeing her from the first week we got her where she was shy and nervous, and now she’s happy go lucky.”

Police Sergeant Benjamin Cochane calls retired track star Honey the ‘princess of the household’. Credit: Andrew Ritchie/The West Australian

He said it was a privilege to come home to Honey’s slobbery kisses and cuddles.

“You have a hard day at work, and you come back and you’ve got a dog waiting for you that’s hopping around and all excited to see you... those things (hard work days) don’t seem so big when they’re looking at you like you’re the best person in the world,” he said.

“Greyhounds go through a life of racing... police officers go through similar mental, emotional and physical (hardships), but I think it’s bittersweet that we both get to come together and help each other.” RWWA’s head of animal welfare Caroline McMullen said greyhounds were the perfect police companion thanks to their calm temperament and low-maintenance needs.

“Greyhounds are positively supporting the well-being of the police officers who have taken them on as pets,” she told The West Australian. “Retired greyhounds fit perfectly with shift work and the high-pressure demands of policing, offering quiet companionship and emotional balance at the end of a busy and stressful day.”

Dr McMullen said all greyhounds were assessed by a behavioural team before they were adopted into a new home. “Our GAP team takes time to ensure they are suitable for the dynamics of the various household environments they are being re-homed into and offer ongoing support to the GAP adoption community,” she said.

“We know how much our retiring athletes have to offer and that is why we are always looking for opportunities in the community to share the valuable impact of animals on human well-being across the emotional, physical and social aspects of their lives.”

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