In brief
New Zealand's government has announced a ban on greyhound racing due to alarmingly high injury rates among the animals. The decision comes after years of criticism leveled against the industry, with allegations of mistreatment and doping.
The government aims to phase out the sport over the next 20 months, focusing on rehoming approximately 2,900 racing dogs and assisting those employed in the industry to transition to new jobs. Racing Minister Winston Peters emphasized the decision's impact on animal welfare, stating it is vital to protect the dogs involved. In recent years, the greyhound racing industry has consistently faced scrutiny, with reports indicating that in 2021 alone, 232 racing greyhounds died and 900 were injured. Despite reviews calling for reforms, the issues persisted, prompting the government to take this unprecedented step. Alongside the ban, new legislation will be introduced to prevent the unnecessary euthanasia of racing dogs. Animal rights organizations, including Safe, have celebrated the decision as a significant victory, urging other countries to follow New Zealand's lead. Conversely, Greyhound Racing New Zealand, the main industry body, expressed devastation over the decision, highlighting concerns over potential economic and cultural ramifications. The sport contributes significantly to New Zealand's racing industry, representing 8.5% of the NZ$1.3 billion market and providing over 1,000 full-time jobs. The announcement marks a significant turning point for animal welfare in the country, igniting discussions about the future of greyhound racing both domestically and internationally.
