Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: SAFE For Animals
On Friday at Manawatu Raceway, ‘Have A Yak’ was euthanised after falling and suffering a compound fracture.
Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) edited out the fall from the race video, which was published onlineand linked to GRNZ’s race reports. Have A Yak was falling behind in third place before the video cuts to later in the race where she is nowhere to be seen.
SAFE spokesperson Will Appelbe said this lack of transparency is part of the industry’s problem.
“The industry is trying to sanitise the impact it’s having on dogs, despite being told that it must improve transparency,” said Appelbe.
“Dogs are still suffering from major injuries, and GRNZ seems more concerned with its public perception.”
In September 2021, Racing Minister Grant Robertson put the greyhound racing industry formally on notice, following the release of the 2021 greyhound racing review. The review stated that the industry must improve data recording, transparency of all activities, and animal welfare generally.
“Greyhound racing is inherently dangerous. The industry has shown time and time again that they cannot be trusted to protect dogs. Until the Government implements a total ban on greyhound racing, it is clear that 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.
– In August 2021, 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.
