SAFE stresses urgency of New Zealand greyhound racing ban
The Animal rights group fears that GRZNZ plans to appeal against the proposed ban.
New Zealand.- The government has already announced plans to ban greyhound racing in New Zealand on the grounds of animal welfare. However, Save Animals From Exploitation (SAFE) has called for quicker action following the death of three dogs during a series of races at Addington Raceway in Christchurch.
According to the animal rights group, a dog collapsed and died after winning a race on March 7. Three days later, a dog suffered a serious fracture and died after surgery. Another dog died on March 13.
Campaign manager Emma Brodie, said: “These deaths, coupled with the distressing footage we’ve received, make it impossible to ignore the brutal reality of greyhound racing. Three dogs suffered preventable deaths in just one week, and this alarming rate of fatalities cannot continue.”
The government announced in December that it would pass the Racing Industry (Unlawful Destruction of Specified Greyhounds) Amendment Bill under urgency. However, SAFE claims that a leaked letter shows racing will continue as usual in 2025 and that Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) is preparing to challenge the ban.
Brodie said: “The Government announced the ban because the evidence was clear-this industry is beyond reform. Yet GRNZ continues to peddle the same tired excuses, all while dogs keep dying on its watch. It is outrageous that GRNZ thinks it can ignore the impending ban and carry on as if nothing has changed. The Government must step in now and enforce the shutdown of this cruel industry before more dogs pay the ultimate price.”
New Zealand racing minister: “There is no turning back. Greyhound racing will be banned”
Deputy prime minister and racing minister Winston Peters has insisted there will be no reversal of the decision to ban greyhound racing. In an interview on Trackside Televison’s Guerin Report show, Peters said: “There was a review into greyhound racing in 2013, another in 2017 under Hansen, and yet another in 2021. Three reviews in just over a decade, under different ministers, and not one of them was me.
“After looking at all the data, we reached the conclusion that, despite all efforts, the situation was simply indefensible. The level of injury—serious injury—the lack of proper record-keeping, and instances where dogs went missing with no trace… These things are just not acceptable.
“As difficult as it was, and despite having supported the industry in the past, we reached across the political divide and asked others, ‘We need to do something here—what do you think?’ And they all agreed. Parliament voted unanimously for this decision.”
As for a potential legal challenge from the GRNZ, he said: “I have just heard they are going to take me on, possibly in court. Well, let’s see. Because I am not having an ego contest here. I am concerned as a dog lover, while there are some responsible ones [people], there are too many events which are inexplicable, not satisfactory.”
