Racing ban announced

New Zealand has announced that greyhound racing will be banned in the country, citing animal welfare concerns.

The move was announced after the introduction of a bill on Tuesday that will outlaw the unnecessary killing of racing dogs.

the sport is set to be phased out over a 20-month period

Greyhound racing accounts for 8.5% of New Zealand’s racing industry and provides over 1,000 full-time jobs. The sport is set to be phased out over a 20-month period, which is intended to allow those working within the industry to transition to new employment and give time to find new homes for the dogs involved in the sport.

Injuries still high

New Zealand’s greyhound racing industry has faced significant criticism, with three reports issued in the past decade demanding reform within the sport.

the percentage of dogs being injured remains persistently high and the time has come to make a call”

On Tuesday, racing minister Winston Peters said: “Despite significant progress made by the greyhound racing industry in recent years, the percentage of dogs being injured remains persistently high and the time has come to make a call in the best interest of the animals.

“This is not a decision that is taken lightly but is ultimately driven by protecting the welfare of racing dogs.”

Greyhound Racing New Zealand said they were “devastated” by the news, with chairman Sean Hannan saying: “The greyhound racing community is left reeling from the announcement, with many voicing concerns over the potential cultural and economic void this decision will create.

“The government’s decision to close the industry is profoundly disappointing, as it overlooks the meaningful progress we have achieved.”

The Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals welcomed the news, saying it was “ecstatic” with the announcement, also calling on remaining countries where the sport is allowed to follow New Zealand’s lead.

Australia could follow

New Zealand remains one of only a handful of countries where the sport is legal, along with Australia, Ireland, the UK, and the US.

The first of those may not be long before following suit. The industry in Australia has also faced increasing criticism over the years, with a 2015 report finding that tens of thousands of dogs had suffered unnecessary deaths, causing leading figures in greyhound racing to pledge major changes.

However, the Greyhound Racing New South Wales’ former chief veterinarian has claimed that exploitation and suffering remains rife within the sport, and called for an outright ban.