New Zealand is making headlines as it gears up to ban greyhound racing, a significant move spurred by concerns over the welfare of the racing dogs. On December 10, 2024, the New Zealand government officially announced its intention to outlaw the sport, citing alarmingly high rates of injuries and fatalities among greyhounds. The government hopes to phasing out the racing by August 1, 2026, providing ample time for the rehoming of around 2,900 racing dogs and allowing individuals reliant on this industry to transition to alternative employment.
This monumental decision has been received with mixed feelings. Racing Minister Winston Peters stated, "Despite significant progress made by the greyhound racing industry over the years, the percentage of dogs being injured remains persistently high. The time has come to make this call to protect the welfare of the animals." He added, "This is not taken lightly, but is driven by the fundamental need for animal welfare." The announcement confirms the government's proactive stand on animal rights, coinciding with increasing scrutiny of animal sports.
New Zealand is one of only five countries—along with the U.S., UK, Australia, and Ireland—where commercial greyhound racing is still permitted. Unfortunately, the sport has been shadowed by scandals over the years, including allegations of mistreatment and doping of dogs, which has added fuel to the fire of those calling for its termination.
The planned ban was preceded by years of criticism surrounding the safety and well-being of the dogs involved. The latest disturbing statistics revealed by local media indicated 900 greyhounds suffered injuries and 232 died during races back in 2021. Since then, the numbers have climbed, reflecting nearly 2,500 injuries and 30 deaths over the subsequent two years, according to the animal welfare group SAFE.
Advocacy groups like SAFE hailed the government's decision as "historic" but lamented the loss of lives and injuries still occurring within the industry. The public outcry over the tragic fate of dogs like Diamond Roman, who suffered catastrophic injuries during races, has amplified calls for sweeping changes.
But it’s not just animal rights activists rallying against the sport; industry insiders are expressing their dismay too. Sean Hannan, the chairperson of Greyhound Racing New Zealand, has voiced his disappointment with the government’s decision. He stated, "We are extremely disappointed. The government has not recognized the work the industry has done to address the areas of concern... This decision is not just about the sport; it affects families, businesses, and communities who have dedicated their lives to caring for and racing greyhounds."
The racing industry, which employs approximately 1,000 full-time workers, brings about $34 million NZD (roughly $21 million USD) to the local economy, but evidently, its monetary value cannot be balanced against the toll on animal lives. Therefore, the government is pursuing legislation to effectively end greyhound racing, with hopes of finding suitable homes for the affected canine athletes.
Overall, this decision marks the culmination of years of discussions, assessments, and local evaluations of canine welfare issues associated with greyhound racing. The proposed legislation, which will soon be submitted to parliament, includes emergency measures to prevent the unnecessary killing of racing dogs.
New Zealand's bold move toward abolishing greyhound racing by 2026 follows worldwide trends, as more countries reconsider the ethics surrounding sports activities involving animals. With New Zealand's steady decline of people actively supporting the sport and increasing concerns over greyhound fatalities, many are eager to see how this ban will reshape the racing scene and animal rights movement down under.
While the announcements and outrage following the planned ban signal hope for animal activism, many remain cautious, as true change will require continuous monitoring and advocacy for greyhound welfare.