Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: SAFE NZ
SAFE has written to the Minister for Racing, Grant Robertson, and the Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare), Meka Whaitiri, demanding that dog racing be suspended until the Government’s review is completed.
SAFE spokesperson Will Appelbe said recent events have proven that greyhounds continue to be at risk.
“The racing industry has injured at least 29 dogs since the review was announced,” said Appelbe. “To make matters worse, dogs are being drugged with banned substances, including meth.”
Last week, the Judicial Control Authority for Racing fined greyhound trainer Angela Turnwald $3,500 and disqualified them for four months in a doping case. The case was bought by the Racing Integrity Unit after the greyhound Zipping Sarah tested positive for methamphetamine. Only 7% of dogs are tested for banned substances.
“This was the third doping case in six months, and the second to involve the Class A drug methamphetamine.”
“There are some serious problems in greyhound racing, and these dogs are at risk. It’s promising to see the Government is reviewing the dog racing industry, but they must move now and suspended racing if they are genuinely concerned about animal welfare.”
SAFE is New Zealand’s leading animal rights organisation.
We’re creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.
– Earlier this month, the Government announced a review of the greyhound racing industry, following reports from SAFE, the Greyhound Protection League and Grey2K USA Worldwide of ongoing cruelty within the industry. In the announcement, the Minister for Racing Hon Grant Robertson said he is not satisfied the industry is improving animal welfare, and that Greyhound Racing New Zealand had failed to provide sufficient information on changes they are making.
– The Greyhound Protection League is running a petition, which asks Parliament to pass legislation to ban greyhound racing and to require all dogs that have been bred for racing be rehomed and rehabilitated.
– Photos of dogs rescued by the Greyhound Protection League.
– Greyhound racing is legal in only seven countries. A ban in the Australian Capital Territory came into force in April 2018, followed by a ban in Florida, USA, in November 2018. Since Florida is home to 11 of the USA’s 17 active dog tracks, this is a signal that greyhound racing is about to become a thing of the past in the United States.
– Information about greyhound racing in New Zealand.
