Euthanasia ordered for the greyhound racing industry to spare dogs from being put down
The big news from the Government today is that action is being taken to stop the country from going to the dogs.
The announcement was bayed by Racing Minister Winston Peters after the Government decided to end greyhound racing in New Zealand.
“This is not a decision that is taken lightly but is ultimately driven by protecting the welfare of racing dogs,” he said.
But yelps from the Greens drew attention to their urge to be given a share of the credit.
A statement from their publicity team declared:
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026.
“This is a great day for the welfare of greyhounds, they have a right to live without suffering,” says the Green Party’s Animal Welfare and Racing Spokesperson, Steve Abel.
“An overwhelming majority of New Zealanders–three quarters, in the latest SPCA polling–have long called for the greyhound racing industry to end.
“As part of today’s announcement, a Bill to prohibit unauthorised euthanasia has been introduced. We welcome this.”
The beneficiaries of this Bill will be the greyhounds which will be spared a death sentence from owners who have determined they are past their use-by date.
Oh – and guess who has landed a job as the result of the government’s decision?
The answer is Heather Simpson, who worked with Helen Clark for more than 20 years and was her chief of staff when Clark was Prime Minister.
A key task in having the greyhound industry put down – but not the dogs – will be the rehoming of an estimated 2,900 racing greyhounds in New Zealand.
An Advisory Committee has been appointed to help manage the transition process. Its members are Heather Simpson (Chair), Murray Johnson and Lindsay Burton.
They will provide advice on ensuring animal welfare, and support for those involved in the industry.
The announcement was included in the latest bunch of ministerial announcements posted on the government’s official website.
But yelps from the Greens drew attention to their urge to be given a share of the credit.
A statement from their publicity team declared:
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026.
“This is a great day for the welfare of greyhounds, they have a right to live without suffering,” says the Green Party’s Animal Welfare and Racing Spokesperson, Steve Abel.
“An overwhelming majority of New Zealanders–three quarters, in the latest SPCA polling–have long called for the greyhound racing industry to end.
“As part of today’s announcement, a Bill to prohibit unauthorised euthanasia has been introduced. We welcome this.”
The beneficiaries of this Bill will be the greyhounds which will be spared a death sentence from owners who have determined they are past their use-by date.
Oh – and guess who has landed a job as the result of the government’s decision?
The answer is Heather Simpson, who worked with Helen Clark for more than 20 years and was her chief of staff when Clark was Prime Minister.
A key task in having the greyhound industry put down – but not the dogs – will be the rehoming of an estimated 2,900 racing greyhounds in New Zealand.
An Advisory Committee has been appointed to help manage the transition process. Its members are Heather Simpson (Chair), Murray Johnson and Lindsay Burton.
They will provide advice on ensuring animal welfare, and support for those involved in the industry.
The announcement was included in the latest bunch of ministerial announcements posted on the government’s official website.
Latest from the Beehive
10 December 2024
Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced the Government’s plans to end greyhound racing in New Zealand.
The Government is delivering on its commitment to cut red tape and increase the value of exports by making it easier for exporters to deliver safe New Zealand food to more markets.
The Government welcomes a new report which confirms the way Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) is taught in schools isn’t fit for purpose, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced that applications will open today for the $5 million Mental Health Promotion Fund for organisations to run campaigns that promote mental wellbeing while at the Digital Mental Health Summit.
9 December 2024
A first-of-its-kind report launched today lays the groundwork for growing the visibility of New Zealand’s ethnic communities through data, Ethnic Communities Minister Melissa Lee says.
Changes to collective bargaining will help rebalance the rights and consequences of industrial action, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says.
The Government is issuing strategic leasing guidance to agencies to ensure more efficient use of taxpayer dollars where the private sector is better placed to own and maintain infrastructure.
The Government is pushing ahead with moves to increase banking competition by boosting Kiwibank and taking steps to ensure the Reserve Bank places greater importance on competition in the sector.
Explaining the snuffing of the greyhound racing industry, Winston Peters said 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”.
The greyhound industry has been on notice over animal welfare concerns for several years, Peters said.
Three reviews of the industry over the past decade have all recommended significant changes.
“We acknowledge the work done by Greyhound Racing New Zealand to improve safety. While fewer dogs are dying, injury rates, while down slightly, have plateaued and remain unacceptably high,” Mr Peters says.
It is intended that greyhound racing will be wound down over a 20-month period to enable the rehoming of racing dogs and to provide a transition period for people involved in the industry.
“Beginning the process today we are introducing the Racing Industry (Unlawful Destruction of Specified Greyhounds) Amendment Bill which will be passed under urgency to prevent the unnecessary killing of racing dogs.
“Further legislation to enable the end to greyhound racing is required. A bill to make the necessary changes to the Racing Industry Act 2020 will be introduced to Parliament in 2025. There will be a full select committee process so everyone will have a chance to have their say.”
The Green Party’s Steve Abel noted that more than three years ago, Labour’s Grant Robertson formally put the greyhound racing industry “on notice” for repeatedly failing to improve animal welfare.
“We recognise the tireless work of animal welfare groups who have worked over the years to expose the industry’s flaws and push for this outcome.
“I’m also very proud of the work the Green Party has done to help secure this outcome, and I’m very pleased to be able to withdraw my member’s bill to end the greyhound racing industry now that that is a certainty. It is vital that we focus on how to best care for these animals as the industry is wrapped up and ensure workers and those who depend on the industry are supported.”
Abel also mentioned his amendment to the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill,. This aims to make it easier for renters to keep a re-homed greyhound.
Abel said it “is one step which I hope to gain the Government’s support for”.
Point of Order is a blog focused on politics and the economy run by veteran newspaper reporters Bob Edlin and Ian Templeton
2 comments:
Great news about the end of GH racing in NZ, and unauthorised euthanisa, well done NZF and the right honourable Winston Peters, he's on a role today with the announcement that RSE is also gone in term 1 2025.
13 dogs died last year in 36000 starts - 1054 jobs going in the industry
to put this in perspective, auckland spca put down 4007 dogs last year
Post a Comment