Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: SAFE NZ
Last week the Otago Daily Times revealed an unidentified punter placed a $10,000 bet on greyhound Zipping Sarah, who won her race at the Addington Raceway in November 2020 before testing positive for methamphetamine. Of the 481 bets placed totalling $23,083, this was by far the most significant bet placed on the dog.
SAFE spokesperson Will Appelbe said given the meth use and dodgy bets, the police should be involved.
“There’s likely more to this case than what’s emerged from the Judicial Control Authority hearing,” said Appelbe. “It should be seriously concerning for law enforcement.”
“The police have investigated doping and race-fixing in the racing industry before. This case should be no different.”
Last month the greyhound trainer Angela Turnwald was fined $3,500 and disqualified for four months after Zipping Sarah tested positive for methamphetamine. After initially failing to investigate, SAFE understands that the Ministry for Primary Industries is now making inquiries.
“We’re seriously concerned about the ongoing suffering of these dogs.”
“While it’s encouraging to see the Government will be reviewing the greyhound industry, if they are genuinely concerned about animal welfare, they must suspend racing until the review is complete.”
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.
– Last month the greyhound trainer Angela Turnwald was fined $3,500 and disqualified for four months after their dog Zipping Sarah tested positive for methamphetamine. The Judicial Control Authority for Racing’s judgement from the case stated that “methamphetamine is a potent central nervous system stimulant which poses significant animal welfare issues” and the level of drugs in the dog’s system was “was particularly large.” In the short term, meth can enhance performance, however there are serious longer-term side effects, including increased agitation, aggression, seizures, renal failure and even death. This was the third doping case in the greyhound racing industry in the last six months, and the second to involve meth.
– Last 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 was not satisfied the industry was 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 will soon become a thing of the past in the United States.
– Information about greyhound racing in New Zealand.
