The New Zealand government has announced plans to phase out greyhound racing by 2026, citing persistent concerns over high injury rates among the dogs involved. Minister for Racing Winston Peters confirmed the move on Tuesday, emphasizing that while fatalities in the sport have decreased, injury rates have plateaued at unacceptable levels.
“Despite some improvements, injury rates have remained troublingly high,” Peters said in a statement, underlining that the safety and well-being of the dogs remain a significant concern.
The decision comes after years of criticism of the greyhound racing industry, which has faced calls for reform following three major reviews over the past decade. Each review highlighted the need for substantial changes to protect the animals, but, according to Peters, the industry’s efforts have not been sufficient to address the ongoing issues.
To implement the ban, the government will gradually phase out greyhound racing over the next 20 months. A new advisory committee will assist in rehoming approximately 2,900 racing dogs currently part of the industry. The government also introduced a Bill on Tuesday, which, with the support of the opposition Labour Party, aims to prevent the unnecessary euthanasia of racing greyhounds. Additional legislative changes will be introduced next year to formally outlaw greyhound racing.
The announcement has been met with strong opposition from Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ), which expressed disappointment over the government’s decision. GRNZ chairman Sean Hannan described the ban as a “devastating blow” to the industry, which, he argued, had made significant strides in improving animal welfare.
“We are extremely disappointed that the government has failed to acknowledge the progress we have made,” Hannan said. “Our industry now leads the wider racing sector in its commitment to the welfare of the dogs.”
Hannan also raised concerns about the future of greyhounds in New Zealand, suggesting that the breed may eventually disappear from the country due to the ban.
Currently, New Zealand is one of the few remaining countries where commercial greyhound racing is legal, alongside the United States, Ireland, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The greyhound racing sector contributes 8.5% to New Zealand’s NZ$1.3 billion (US$760 million) racing industry, providing over 1,000 full-time jobs.
The government’s decision marks a significant shift in New Zealand’s approach to animal welfare and could set a precedent for other nations with greyhound racing industries.
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