Greyhound Racing Banned in New Zealand – A Win For Animal Welfare
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Last week, New Zealand announced plans to ban greyhound racing, a move that has been described as both “monumental” and “devastating,” depending on whom you ask. If you ask us here at Dogster, the only thing devastating about it is the fact that it has taken so long to be banned in the first place. But this is a huge step in the right direction that will hopefully begin the snowball effect of global change in the sport. The decision, driven by persistent animal welfare concerns, marks the end of an era for the sport in the country.
Citing an “unacceptably high” rate of injuries, Racing Minister (and New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister) Winston Peters declared that the time had come to “make a call in the best interest of the animals.”1 Despite progress in recent years, including reductions in euthanasia and some injury rates, Peters stated that the improvements were insufficient to justify the continuation of greyhound racing.
The government has outlined a 20-month transition period to allow the industry to wind down. During this time, the priority will be the rehoming of the approximately 2,900 racing greyhounds currently in New Zealand. Peters assured the public that the dogs would not be sent overseas to race and introduced a bill to prevent the unnecessary killing of racing dogs, which “will be passed under urgency.” Animal welfare organizations such as SAFE and SPCA are poised to assist with the rehoming efforts, though logistical challenges remain, the government is dedicated to helping, with Peters describing greyhounds as “superbly good pets … and clean.”
