In brief
The decision, aimed at protecting racing dogs, will implement a 20-month transition period for rehoming and industry adjustment.
New Zealand has officially revealed plans to terminate greyhound racing, a move spurred by alarming injury statistics within the sport. The government's announcement emphasizes the "unacceptably high" rate of injuries among racing dogs, drawing attention to ongoing criticisms regarding animal welfare and treatment within the industry.Racing Minister Winston Peters stated that despite improvements, the injury rates remain troubling and necessitate action for the animals’ best interests. The government will introduce legislation to prevent unnecessary euthanasia of racing dogs and to facilitate the ban, with hopes to smooth the transition for individuals employed in the industry.Recent reports attribute 232 greyhound fatalities and hundreds more injuries to the racing circuit in 2021 alone. Figures from animal rights group Safe indicated over 2,500 injuries and nearly 30 deaths occurred within a span of two-and-a-half years leading up to this announcement. This follows the government placing the industry "on notice" in September 2021 due to these troubling statistics.Looking ahead, a significant goal is to find homes for approximately 2,900 retired racing greyhounds currently in New Zealand. Organizations advocating for animal welfare celebrated the decision, with Safe describing it as a landmark achievement for animal rights. The SPCA, New Zealand's oldest animal welfare group, expressed joy over the announcement and urged other countries with similar racing practices to take action.However, the decision has left the Greyhound Racing New Zealand association disheartened. Chairman Sean Hannan conveyed the profound disappointment felt within the community, arguing that the move overlooks the substantial progress made.With greyhound racing contributing about 8.5% to New Zealand’s NZ$1.3 billion racing sector, and sustaining over a thousand full-time jobs, the industry's closure raises serious concerns regarding economic and cultural repercussions. Hannan urged the government to reconsider the decision, indicating the need for dialogue to address industry changes rather than an outright ban. As the government embarks on this policy shift, the implications for both animals and the economy hang in the balance.
