Our neighbours across the ditch have announced the all dog racing in the Land Of The Long White Cloud will cease in about 2 years, in a devistating announcement that will hurt participants, stakeholders, fans and punters…
Racing Minister Winston Peters announced on Tuesday that new laws will quickly end greyhound racing.
This follows a tough time for those involved in the sport who have been working hard to keep it alive.
“CHILL WINSTON!” - Kiwi’s probably…
Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) Chairman Sean Hannan called the decision a "devastating blow" to an industry that has made major reforms.
He expressed disappointment that the Government did not acknowledge their efforts to improve animal welfare.
GRNZ has put strict rules in place for breeding, rehoming, and euthanasia, aiming to go beyond New Zealand's animal welfare laws.
We’ve all had a crack at an NZ Dog race one morning ‘aven’t we?
The organization is dedicated to animal welfare and supports greyhound racing but with strict rules.
For over two years, the Racing Integrity Board (RIB) has been looking into the industry's future, showing positive trends in reducing injuries and improving welfare.
However, despite this progress, Minister Peters announced on Tuesday that the industry will be shut down. "Even with recent improvements, injury rates for dogs are still too high, and we must prioritize their well-being," he stated.
The industry had already faced warnings, with three reviews recommending major changes.
“While fewer dogs are dying, injury rates are stagnating and remain too high” - he noted.
The government will start a 20-month transition period to rehome 3,000 racing greyhounds. "Keeping these dogs safe is a priority, and we are working with animal welfare groups to help rehome them," Peters added.
The announcement to end greyhound racing came just one day after the NZ Government introduced new laws to strengthen TAB NZ's domestic operations.
In May 2023, betting giant Entain formed a 25-year partnership with New Zealand TAB, boosting confidence among stakeholders across all three betting codes…
…seems that confidence was short lived!