In a groundbreaking decision, New Zealand's government has revealed plans to prohibit greyhound racing, citing alarming rates of injuries to the dogs involved. This announcement comes after a decade of scrutiny and concerns related to animal welfare in the sport. Racing Minister Winston Peters addressed the media, stating that despite advancements, the percentage of racing injuries remains unacceptably high, prompting the government to act in the best interest of the animals.
New Zealand Announces Ban on Greyhound Racing Amid Welfare Concerns
New Zealand Announces Ban on Greyhound Racing Amid Welfare Concerns
New Zealand takes a significant step in animal welfare by banning greyhound racing due to high injury rates and mistreatment allegations.
The phased ban will unfold over the next 20 months, allowing for the rehabilitation and rehoming of approximately 2,900 greyhounds currently racing in the country. Alongside the ban, the government has proposed a bill aimed at preventing the unnecessary euthanization of racing dogs and plans to introduce further legislation to facilitate the closure of the industry.
Over the past ten years, three reviews have been conducted on the greyhound racing sector, all of which called for major reforms. Reports from 2021 indicated that 232 racing greyhounds perished and 900 sustained injuries, leading to increased governmental scrutiny. A subsequent report from the animal rights organization Safe noted over 2,500 injuries and nearly 30 fatalities incurred during racing actions over the following years.
This decisive move has received applause from animal rights advocates, with group Safe celebrating it as a significant victory. The SPCA, New Zealand's oldest animal welfare charity, expressed their enthusiasm and encouraged other nations that still permit greyhound racing to follow New Zealand's lead.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from Greyhound Racing New Zealand, which represents racing clubs across the nation. Chairman Sean Hannan lamented the potential negative implications for both the economic landscape and community ties fostered by the sport, arguing that the government's assessment disregards the substantial progress made within the industry. Currently, greyhound racing constitutes 8.5% of New Zealand's $1.3 billion racing sector and employs over 1,000 individuals.
The ban marks a significant shift in New Zealand's approach to animal welfare and calls into question the future of greyhound racing worldwide, with advocates urging other countries to reconsider their support for the sport.
Over the past ten years, three reviews have been conducted on the greyhound racing sector, all of which called for major reforms. Reports from 2021 indicated that 232 racing greyhounds perished and 900 sustained injuries, leading to increased governmental scrutiny. A subsequent report from the animal rights organization Safe noted over 2,500 injuries and nearly 30 fatalities incurred during racing actions over the following years.
This decisive move has received applause from animal rights advocates, with group Safe celebrating it as a significant victory. The SPCA, New Zealand's oldest animal welfare charity, expressed their enthusiasm and encouraged other nations that still permit greyhound racing to follow New Zealand's lead.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from Greyhound Racing New Zealand, which represents racing clubs across the nation. Chairman Sean Hannan lamented the potential negative implications for both the economic landscape and community ties fostered by the sport, arguing that the government's assessment disregards the substantial progress made within the industry. Currently, greyhound racing constitutes 8.5% of New Zealand's $1.3 billion racing sector and employs over 1,000 individuals.
The ban marks a significant shift in New Zealand's approach to animal welfare and calls into question the future of greyhound racing worldwide, with advocates urging other countries to reconsider their support for the sport.
