Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: SAFE For Animals
In a judgement released this week by the Racing Integrity Board, Craig Roberts was fined $2,000 after his dog Willene Bale tested positive for Ketoprofen at Addington Raceway in July 2021.
This is the third time one of Roberts’ dogs had tested positive for banned substances.
Racing Minister Grant Robertson recently put the greyhound racing industry formally on notice telling the industry, “either make the improvements needed or risk closure.”
SAFE spokesperson Will Appelbe said immediate closure of the industry is needed to protect these dogs.
“The Government has just released a scathing review of the industry, and yet dogs are still testing positive for drugs,” said Appelbe.
“When you add this to the raft of injuries last week in Whanganui, it’s obvious that as long as the industry is operating dogs are at risk.”
At a racing meet last Wednesday, six dogs were injured at the Whanganui greyhound racing track. Two of the dogs suffered broken legs, with a third suspected. Two of the dogs are undergoing x-rays to confirm their injuries.
“History has shown that the greyhound racing industry is incapable of making the improvements required from this most recent review.”
“It’s unacceptable to treat dogs this way. Until the Government bans greyhound racing dogs will continue to suffer.”
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.
– Racing Minister Grant Robertson has stated there are three fundamental issues that still need to be addressed; data recording, transparency of all activities, and animal welfare generally. He has tasked the Racing Integrity board to identify a specific set of indicators over each of these areas that will be used to assess the industry’s progress, reporting back to the Minister before the end of 2022.
– Last month, Labour MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan accepted The Greyhound Protection League of New Zealand’s 37,700 signature-strong petition, calling for a ban on greyhound racing in New Zealand. SAFE had been supporting the petition since November 2020.
– 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.
