‘Retired’ greyhounds are New Zealand’s new live export
Even as our live export ban remains precariously in place, a new form of animal trade has begun. Fourteen greyhounds were last week packed up and flown to Chicago, the first batch in a new scheme devised by Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ).
Essentially it sees unwanted and “retired” dogs sent to the US where adoption agencies take them in and find permanent homes.
It’s called the America Rehoming Project, and it’s a spectacular own goal by the industry.
While GRNZ says the project means more greyhounds can be homed faster, what its really done is further prove this so-called sport is no longer viable. Not that it needed to.
This is an industry on notice since 2021 when the Labour Government warned it could either operate under stricter conditions or face a ban.
Last month, following a week in which three dogs died and a track was temporarily closed due to safety concerns, the party called on the government to do what it didn’t.
Thousands of injuries and a number deaths have been suffered by greyhounds since 2021, said Labour’s animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack in another own goal.
But she also said a lack of progress on straight tracks and failure to improve animal welfare systems showed the only option is a ban.
“New Zealand is one of only six countries that still allows greyhound racing. A number of other countries have banned the practice, and it is time we followed suit,” Boyack said.
Of course that’s what animal welfare agencies and 37,700 petitioners told Labour in 2021 but, you know, whatever.
By the way, GRNZ disputes the claims, but you know, the same.
And here’s the rub.
While both National and Labour agree on a ban the power lies with three-time Racing Minister Winston Peters, a longtime industry supporter.
Much like we are with Andrew Hoggard, a former Federated Farmers president and now-associate minister of agriculture able to overturn the hard-fought ban on live exports, we could well be whistling with Peters.
But still, I’m hopeful. Following Christopher Luxon’s reiteration of his support for a ban, Peters countered in his typical, hilariously infuriating, fashion.
“Well, he’s got a minister now who knows more about it than he does, and I’m on the case, alright?”
The thing is, if Peters really does know about greyhound racing then he has no choice but to stop it.
Ignoring three damning independent reviews, 232 deaths during the 202021 racing season, and a shameful and ongoing history of cruelty will be nothing more than government gas-lighting.
Peters must know the greyhound racing industry is done; surely he’s just making us wait for the confirmation.
Back to the America Rehoming Project. On its website GRNZ says it’s worked closely with Greyhound Pets of America, specifically developing “a robust set of mandatory welfare guidelines for the scheme”.
This of course doesn’t mean anything, it’s the justification of the scheme that does.
GRNZ says while continuing its efforts to re-home dogs in NZ, the project means more greyhounds “can be re-homed annually – and faster, thereby reducing waiting list times significantly”.
And there it is. Not only is this an industry continuing to cause suffering here at home, but one producing so many unwanted animals it now has to dump them overseas.
Over on social media GRNZ chief executive officer Edward Rennell has listed the names of what he calls the “first consignment”.
Among them are Replica Rascal, Big Time Rita and Spending Frenzy. Curiously, the detritus of “retired greyhounds” also includes three unraced dogs: Norman, Smokey and Lily.
Do you know about this, Mr Peters?