Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: SAFE For Animals
The dog Federal Fear broke his leg yesterday at the Palmerston North racetrack and was killed as a result.
This is the fourth dog killed by the greyhound racing industry since Grant Robertson announced his review on 16 April and the twelfth since 1 January 2021. A further 23 dogs suffered broken bones since the review was announced. There have been 199 injuries in total.
SAFE spokesperson Will Appelbe said the Government needs to put the welfare of these dogs ahead of other interests.
“The greyhound racing industry has killed a dog a fortnight this year. It’s a national disgrace,” said Appelbe.
“Our question to Racing Minister Grant Robertson is, what would you do if this was your dog?”
“The greyhound racing review was the right call, but the Minister must halt racing until it’s completed. Otherwise, dogs will continue to suffer.”
The greyhound racing industry has come under tremendous pressure in recent months. Last week, the industry saw its fourth doping casein six months when Brian Goldsack was charged after presenting a dog with a prohibited substance to race.
The dog, Light Cruiser, was found to have been given diclofenac, a medication used to prevent or alleviate pain, swelling and inflammation and known to be dangerous to animals if ingested.
“How can we call ourselves world leaders in animal welfare whilst we sit by and watch dogs suffer each time a race is held?”
“It’s imperative that Minister Grant Robertson steps in to save these dogs from further pain and suffering by banning greyhound racing.”
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.
The following greyhounds have been killed since the announcement of the greyhound racing review on 16 April:
– Paris End – Auckland 23 May
– Choo Choo – Auckland 30 May
– Belfast Demo – Christchurch 22 June
– Federal Fear – Palmerston North 5 July
– 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.
– 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.
