International
New Zealand Moves To Ban Greyhound Racing Over High Injury Rate
New Zealand has revealed plans to ban greyhound racing, citing an “unacceptably high” injury rate among the dogs.
The sport has faced long-standing criticism, with allegations of animal mistreatment and doping by some breeders.
The government intends to phase out the industry over the next 20 months, providing time to rehome the racing dogs and support industry workers in transitioning to new jobs.
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Commercial greyhound racing is still permitted in Australia, Ireland, the UK, and the US.
“Despite significant progress made by the greyhound racing industry in recent years, the percentage of dogs being injured remains persistently high and the time has come to make a call in the best interest of the animals,” Racing Minister Winston Peters said in a statement on Tuesday.
“This is not a decision that is taken lightly but is ultimately driven by protecting the welfare of racing dogs,” he said.
On Tuesday, the New Zealand government introduced a bill aimed at preventing the unnecessary killing of racing dogs, with Deputy Prime Minister Peters stating that the bill will be passed “under urgency.”
In addition, further legislation will be presented to phase out greyhound racing entirely.
Over the past decade, the greyhound racing industry has undergone three reviews, each recommending substantial reforms. Despite these efforts, in 2021, 232 racing greyhounds died, and 900 others sustained injuries, according to local media.
In response, the government placed the industry “on notice” in September of that year, but the deaths and injuries persisted. Animal rights organization Safe recorded over 2,500 injuries and nearly 30 deaths over the next two and a half years.
A primary challenge now is rehoming the 2,900 racing greyhounds still in the country.
Animal rights groups celebrated Tuesday’s announcement, with Safe calling it a “monumental win for animal rights.” New Zealand’s oldest animal welfare charity, SPCA, expressed its “ecstatic” support for the move and urged other countries with greyhound racing to follow suit.
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However, Greyhound Racing New Zealand, an industry association representing the country’s racing clubs, expressed its “devastation” over the government’s proposal.
“The greyhound racing community is left reeling from the announcement, with many voicing concerns over the potential cultural and economic void this decision will create,” said the association’s chairman Sean Hannan.
Greyhound racing accounts for 8.5% of New Zealand’s NZ$1.3b ($760m; £595) racing industry, with just over 1,000 full-time jobs, data showed.
“The government’s decision to close the industry is profoundly disappointing, as it overlooks the meaningful progress we have achieved,” said Hannan, who also urged the government to reconsider its decision.
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