New Zealand set to ban greyhound racing due to injuries
There is currently only commercial greyhound racing in the UK, US, Australia and Ireland. Critics have hit out at the number of dogs euthanised after getting injured or left without a home after their short careers end.
Tuesday 10 December 2024 15:32, UK
New Zealand is set to ban greyhound racing because too many dogs are being hurt or killed.
The government has voted in favour of outlawing the betting sport, which also operates in the UK, US, Australia and Ireland, and plans to have the ban in place by 1 August 2026.
Racing minister Winston Peters said the delay was to allow the 2,900 racing dogs to be rehomed and more than 1,000 people employed in the industry to find other work.
The government also pushed through an immediate law to prevent dogs from being killed while the industry winds down, unless a veterinarian deems it unavoidable, preventing owners from euthanising dogs for economic reasons.
Greyhound racing has rapidly decreased in popularity in recent years, with critics pointing to the number of dogs euthanised due to race-day injuries, or unable to find homes after their short careers end.
New Zealand's greyhound racing industry has faced repeated reviews over its dog safety record, with multiple reports urging sweeping changes.
Mr Peters said the number of dogs being killed each year in NZ had decreased thanks to the introduction of stricter policies governing when dogs can be euthanised, and rehoming programmes that send retired New Zealand greyhounds abroad as pets when homes cannot be found domestically.
But he said the percentage of dogs getting injured "remains persistently high" and added: "The time has come to make a call in the best interest of the animals."
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The decision has been praised by animal welfare groups such as the SPCA, which said the government was showing "compassion for dogs made to work in a dangerous gambling industry".
The practice has long been out of favour in New Zealand, added spokesperson Arnja Dale.
Greyhound Racing New Zealand, an industry group, called the announcement a "devastating blow" and claimed the government had not recognised improvements made, such as its commitment to tracking the care of every retired dog for the rest of its life.
The state of greyhound racing worldwide
New Zealand, the UK, US, Australia and Ireland are the only countries still allowing commercial racing, with Scotland also reported to be considering a ban.
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In America, there are only two tracks remaining - in both in West Virginia - after Iowa, Arkansas and Florida shut down their racing industries.
The practice remains legal in Mexico and Vietnam, but there are no longer operational tracks in either country, according to information supplied by Mr Peters' office.