Greyhound racing to be banned in New Zealand to protect dog welfare

The New Zealand government will end greyhound racing, Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced.

The decision was made to protect the welfare of racing dogs, Mr Peters said.

Emergency legislation will be passed on Tuesday to prevent the unnecessary killing of racing dogs following the announcement.

“Despite significant progress made by the greyhound racing industry in recent years, the percentage of injured dogs still remains high and now is the time to speak up in the best interests of the animals,” he said.

The industry had been aware of animal welfare concerns for several years, Peters said, and three studies over the past decade have all recommended significant changes.

Mr Peters said members of the industry were learning of the decision at the same time as the public because he wanted to ensure the dogs were properly rehomed.

Stopping greyhound racing was “the right thing to do”, Mr Peters said, and it was not a matter of what he thought about it.

A committee has been established to help manage a 20-month transition, including the repatriation of New Zealand’s approximately 2,900 racing greyhounds.

Mr Peters described the dogs as “superbly good… and clean pets”.

“Ensuring the safety of unwanted dogs is a priority. The government is working with animal welfare organizations to establish rehoming support programs,” he said.

Homes would be found for the dogs, Mr Peters said, and they would not be sent to run abroad.

Appearing before a select committee in June, Mr Peters said he was considering changes, but also said “dogs love racing” and encouraged his fellow MPs to “watch them in the wild”.

In a televised leaders’ debate before last year’s election, New Zealand National Party leader Christopher Luxon expressed support for banning greyhound racing.

After becoming prime minister, Mr Luxon told reporters he maintained that position, but said the issue must now be considered by Mr Peters.

Animal rights activists have long called for action after widespread criticism of the sport raised alarms over animal welfare practices.

In 2021, former sports minister Grant Robertson put the industry “formally on notice” after a report revealed a failure to adequately improve animal welfare systems.

In May last year, Kieran McAnulty, then racing minister, said the status quo was no longer viable: “We are faced with two options: continue under strict conditions, or close. »

Mr. McAnulty, however, took no action before the election. He said he was delayed due to his other responsibilities as cyclone recovery minister following a series of severe weather events.

The industry responds

Greyhound Racing New Zealand chief executive Edward Rennell said the organization was devastated by the news.

“We believe that greyhound racing as an industry has made huge strides over the last two years and is leading the way in the racing industry from an animal welfare perspective, so the decision to today is clearly very disappointing.”

The injury rate was in line with international benchmarks and lower than the Australian average, and the euthanasia rate on race days was lower than the horse racing industry, Mr Rennell said.

His organization provided quarterly reports to the minister and had requested a meeting to discuss the future of the industry.

“But we haven’t had that,” Mr Rennell said.

The law passed urgently is redundant, he declared.

“We have a euthanasia policy where individuals cannot euthanize the dog unless it is for genuine welfare reasons, so the legislation is not necessary for authorized individuals.”

Mr Rennell said he was concerned for the 1,000 people whose livelihoods depend on the industry.

Animal rights organization relieved

Emma Brodie, SAFE campaign director, said she was “incredibly relieved” by Tuesday’s announcement.

“This marks the end of an era of exploitation and a monumental victory for animal rights in Aotearoa,” she said.

This year, SAFE, the SPCA and HUHA (Helping You Help Animals) launched a joint rehousing bid, and it was still on the table, she said.

The organizations wanted to work with the government to rehome and rehabilitate former racing dogs.

But Greyhound Racing New Zealand recently issued a rehoming policy banning trainers from releasing greyhounds to animal shelters and rescue organisations.

“So we don’t know how realistic it will be to be able to help, but we are here and we are prepared to help where we can,” Ms Brodie said.

RNZ