New Zealand has announced plans to ban greyhound racing, citing an “unacceptably high” injury rate.
The sport has long been the subject of criticism in the country, with some breeders accused of mistreating or doping animals.
The government plans to close the industry over the next 20 months, to allow time to rehome racing dogs and allow people in the industry to transition to other jobs.
In addition to New Zealand, commercial greyhound racing is permitted in Australia, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“Despite significant progress made by the greyhound racing industry in recent years, the percentage of injured dogs remains consistently high and now is the time to speak out in the best interests of the animals,” the racing minister said. Winston Peters, in a press release. Tuesday.
“This is not a decision that is taken lightly but is ultimately motivated by protecting the welfare of racing dogs,” he said.
The government on Tuesday introduced a bill to prevent the unnecessary culling of racing dogs, which “will be passed as a matter of urgency”, said Peters, who is also New Zealand's deputy prime minister.
More legislation will be introduced to allow greyhound racing to end, he said.
There have been three studies of the greyhound racing industry in the past decade, all recommending significant changes.
In 2021, 232 racing greyhounds died and 900 were injured, according to local media.
The industry was placed “on alert” by the government in September of that year, but deaths and injuries continued. Animal rights group Safe recorded more than 2,500 injuries and nearly 30 deaths in the two and a half years since.
A key task now is to rehome the estimated 2,900 racing greyhounds remaining in the country.
Animal rights groups that have long fought to shut down the industry cheered Tuesday's announcement, with Safe calling it a “monumental victory for animal rights.”
The SPCA, New Zealand's oldest animal welfare charity, said it was “delighted” with the decision and called on other countries that allow greyhound racing to follow suit.
However, Greyhound Racing New Zealand, an industry association of greyhound racing clubs across the country, said it was “devastated” by the government's proposal.
“The greyhound racing community is reeling from this announcement, with many expressing concerns about the potential cultural and economic void this decision will create,” said association president Sean Hannan.
Greyhound racing accounts for 8.5% of New Zealand's $NZ1.3 billion ($760 million; £595) New Zealand racing industry, with just over 1,000 full-time jobs, according to the data.
“The government's decision to close the industry is deeply disappointing, as it overlooks the significant progress we have made,” said Hannan, who also urged the government to reconsider its decision.
