NEW ZEALAND SET TO BAN GREYHOUND RACING DUE TO INJURIES

There is currently only commercial greyhound racing in the UK, US, Australia and Ireland. Critics have hit out at the number of dogs euthanised after getting injured or left without a home after their short careers end.

New Zealand is set to ban greyhound racing because too many dogs are being hurt or killed.

The government has voted in favour of outlawing the betting sport, which also operates in the UK, US, Australia and Ireland, and plans to have the ban in place by 1 August 2026.

Racing Minister Winston Peters explained that the delay was necessary to allow time for rehoming the 2,900 racing dogs and helping the more than 1,000 people employed in the industry find new work.

The government also passed an immediate law to prevent the euthanasia of dogs during the industry’s wind-down, unless deemed unavoidable by a veterinarian. This law ensures that dogs cannot be put down for economic reasons.

Greyhound racing in New Zealand has seen a sharp decline in popularity in recent years, with critics highlighting the number of dogs euthanised due to race-day injuries or because they couldn’t find homes after their careers ended.

The industry has been under scrutiny following repeated reviews of its dog safety record, with multiple reports calling for significant reforms.

Mr. Peters noted that the number of dogs being euthanised each year has decreased, thanks to stricter policies on euthanasia and the implementation of rehoming programmes. These programmes help retired greyhounds find new homes, both domestically and overseas, when suitable homes cannot be found in New Zealand.

But he said the percentage of dogs getting injured “remains persistently high” and added: “The time has come to make a call in the best interest of the animals.”

The decision has been applauded by animal welfare organizations like the SPCA, which praised the government for showing “compassion for dogs forced to work in a hazardous gambling industry.”

Spokesperson Arnja Dale added that greyhound racing has long fallen out of favour in New Zealand.

In contrast, Greyhound Racing New Zealand, an industry body, described the announcement as a “devastating blow” and argued that the government had failed to acknowledge the improvements made, such as its commitment to tracking the care of every retired dog for the rest of its life.

The state of greyhound racing worldwide

New Zealand, the UK, US, Australia and Ireland are the only countries still allowing commercial racing, with Scotland also reported to be considering a ban.

In America, there are only two tracks remaining – in both in West Virginia – after Iowa, Arkansas and Florida shut down their racing industries.

The practice remains legal in Mexico and Vietnam, but there are no longer operational tracks in either country, according to information supplied by Mr Peters’ office.