‘Gross abuse of dogs’: Govt to review the code
No ‘athlete’ is expected to die for their sport. It’s time for this gross abuse of dogs to end. Safe NZ boss Debra Ashton
The Government has announced a review into the New Zealand greyhound racing industry.
The review will look into the work being done on animal welfare and safety in the industry after calls for a ban on the sport.
Findings from a 2017 review into the industry, undertaken by former High Court judge Rodney Hansen QC, revealed more than 1440 dogs had been euthanised in four years.
Sport and Racing Minister Grant Robertson says he isn’t satisfied report recommendations have been sufficiently implemented.
“While Greyhound Racing NZ has reported some progress in implementing recommendations of the Hansen Report, recent incidents show the industry still has some way to go to achieve the appropriate standards,” Robertson said yesterday.
“I have informed Greyhound Racing NZ that I am not satisfied the recommendations are being implemented in a way that is improving animal welfare, and with their failure to provide sufficient information on changes they are making.
“It is the responsibility of the industry to hold itself accountable and ensure the best possible standards of welfare for greyhounds.
“Should the review show that progress has not been sufficient, a further fundamental look at the greyhound racing industry may be required.”
Sir Bruce Robertson, a former senior judge and the chair of the Racing Integrity Establishment Board, has been appointed to lead the review.
His judicial background and experience with the wider industry makes him well qualified to lead the review, the Government said.
Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri said the review would be completed by August 1 to allow the incoming Racing Integrity Board to pick up any changes from the start of the new racing season.
“I had written to Greyhound Racing New Zealand suggesting that they may wish to continue regular progress reporting on the recommendations from the Hansen Report. That suggestion was not acted on and this review will now address these matters,” Whaitiri said.
The announcement comes after six dogs suffered broken legs at New Zealand greyhound races in the past two weeks.
Last Sunday, in a video broadcast by the TAB in race three at Auckland, greyhound All Day Long suffered a fall and broken leg. On the same day, at the same track,
Spring Timmie suffered a broken leg.
Seven greyhounds have died and more than 270 injuries have been suffered at races in New Zealand, according to animal welfare group Safe NZ.
Safe NZ chief executive Debra Ashton said: “As long as there is greyhound racing in New Zealand, dogs will continue to suffer.”
A petition, supported by Safe, calling for a ban on commercial greyhound racing was launched by Greyhound Protection League of New Zealand in September 2020. So far, it has been signed by 26,420 people.
“No ‘athlete’ is expected to die for their sport,” said Ashton. “It’s time for this gross abuse of dogs to end.”