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New Zealand is proposing a ban on greyhound racing by 2026 amid ongoing concerns about high injury rates among the dogs.
Minister of Racing Winston Peters announced on Tuesday that his government intends to abolish the sport within the next 20 months. The move comes after a series of reviews spanning a decade, all of which highlighted insufficient safeguards the welfare of greyhounds.
Although the number of deaths during dog racing has decreased over the years, injury rates remain high.
“Although fewer and fewer dogs are dying, the injury rate, although slightly declining, has plateaued and remains unacceptably high,” the minister said, emphasizing the government’s position on prioritizing animal welfare.
While the greyhound industry called the decision a “devastating blow” with “far-reaching implications” for those working in the sector, Peters defended the government’s stance saying the decision was not “taken lightly”.
It was driven by a desire to protect the “welfare of the racing dogs”, Mr Peters told local media, 1News.
The advisory committee will help the government relocate the 2,900 greyhounds currently involved in racing, Peters said.
“An additional law is needed that will enable the cessation of greyhound racing. The bill on the necessary amendments to the Racing Industry Act 2020 will be presented in parliament in 2025. There will be a full board selection process so everyone will have a chance to have their say,” he said.
The government has already introduced a bill, supported by the opposition Labor Party, to curb the unnecessary euthanasia of racing dogs.
The latest move prompted a backlash from Greyhound Racing New Zealand, whose chairman Sean Hannan slammed it as a “devastating blow” to the industry.
Mr Hannan claimed the industry had made significant progress in animal welfare.
“We are extremely disappointed that the government has not recognized the work the industry has done to address problem areas – to the extent that it is now leading the wider racing industry in its commitment to animal welfare,” Mr Hannan said.
He expressed concern about the future of greyhounds in New Zealand, suggesting the breed could disappear from the country altogether.
“This decision is not only about sports; it affects the families, companies and communities who have dedicated their lives to the care of greyhounds and racing,” he said.
New Zealand is one of the few countries where commercial greyhound racing is still allowed, along with the USA, Ireland, Australia and Britain.
The sport accounts for 8.5 per cent of New Zealand’s NZ$1.3 billion racing industry and employs over 1,000 people full-time, according to industry figures.
“Over recent years, the industry has made significant progress in improving animal welfare standards, introducing robust regulations and encouraging greater transparency,” Hannan said as he urged the government to reconsider its decision.
He also asked the government to engage in “meaningful discussion” with stakeholders.
The Green Party welcomed the decision, calling it a “big day” for greyhounds.
“Successful reports highlighting cruelty, mistreatment and neglect in the industry have been left to gather dust as successive governments have kicked the can down the road,” party spokesman Steve Abel said.
“We recognize Minister Winston Peters’ decisive decision to do what should have been done years ago.”
Labor also expressed its “full support” for the decision. “We support today’s bill as it makes its way through the House at all stages to ensure the safety and welfare of dogs,” said animal welfare spokeswoman Rachel Boyack.
Additional agency reporting.