New Zealand will shut down greyhound racing after concluding the animal welfare costs were too high.
On Tuesday, Racing Minister Winston Peters announced the decision after a number of reviews into the industry, with clubs and tracks to be closed by the end of 2026.
“This is not a decision that is taken lightly but is ultimately driven by protecting the welfare of racing dogs,” Mr Peters said.
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A 2021 report found that 923 dogs were euthanised in the previous four years, with no reason given for about half.
New Zealand is one of a handful of countries which allows greyhound racing – including Australia, the US, UK, Mexico and Vietnam.
While animal welfare advocates, including the Greens, have long argued for the industry to be closed, there were doubts the government would do so.
Greyhound racing employs around 1000 Kiwis and was worth around $NZ159 million ($A145 million) in 2023, according to the government, though it has been shrinking in recent years.
In a televised debate prior to the 2023 election, both prime minister Chris Luxon and opposition leader Chris Hipkins expressed support for a shutdown.
However, Mr Peters, the veteran populist who travelled to Australia to attend the Melbourne Cup in November, is well known as a champion of racing industries.
In a statement on Tuesday, he said racing clubs had made “significant progress” towards welfare improvement, “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”.
“While fewer dogs are dying, injury rates, while down slightly, have plateaued and remain unacceptably high,” Mr Peters said.
The government will introduce a bill into parliament on Tuesday that will phase out the practice over 20 months at NZ’s six tracks, which may instead be used for harness racing.
Part of the transition task will be finding homes for an estimated 2900 racing greyhounds.
Greyhound Racing NZ chair Sean Hannan said it was a “devastating blow” and the decision was “not grounded in facts”.
“We are extremely disappointed that the Government has not recognised the work the industry has done to address areas of concern – to the extent that it now leads the wider racing industry with its commitment to animal welfare,” he said.
“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.”
– With 7NEWS.com.au
