Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: SAFE For Animals
SAFE is calling for MPI to “step up and shut down” the Whanganui greyhound racing track after another dog has been killed.
On Friday, Big Time Frosty became the 10th dog killed this racing season at the notorious Whanganui greyhound racing track. She sustained a serious fracture of the right tibia after colliding with several other dogs.
The track has a reputation amongst greyhound racing circles and is referred to as being a ‘death trap’ if it’s recently been raining. Since the start of the season, 243 dogs have been injured.
SAFE spokesperson Will Appelbe said the track needs urgent attention from the Ministry for Primary Industries.
“Over Christmas 5 dogs were killed in the space of a month at this track, and MPI refused to close the track for an investigation,” said Appelbe.
“The buck stops with MPI, and the repeated injuries and deaths of dogs at this track is a clear breach of the Animal Welfare Act 1999.”
The Whanganui racetrack has had a history of doping as well. In November 2020 greyhound trainer Kimberlee Williams was fined $2,250 after her dog Firecracker tested positive for prohibited substances at the Whanganui racetrack. Most recently trainer Brian Goldsack was charged after one of his dogs tested positive for banned drugs, also at Whanganui.
The greyhound racing industry has seen four doping cases in the last 12 months. Considering the industry only drug tests 7% of the dogs raced, that could be just the tip of the iceberg.
“Greyhound racing is cruel and unnecessary. Dogs are suffering for gambling profits and it needs to stop. In the meantime, MPI needs to shut down the Whanganui track and investigate its problems.
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
– Big Time Frosty – Whanganui 9 July
– In April, 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.
