The New Zealand government has had enough! Greyhound racing owners cannot offer the dogs proper care. The result is a ban by August 2026. (Image by mdemajuddinimran on Vecteezy)
This is a news story I couldn’t ignore. I have to say that New Zealand’s plan to ban greyhound racing comes with my full support.
Hopefully, other countries like the UK and Ireland follow suit.
I grew up around dog tracks, and being reasonably young at the time I didn’t understand just how badly kept some of the dogs are.
Being a dog lover, I am all for the recent announcement of New Zealand banning greyhound racing.
The reason I say this is because now I look back, the dogs were treated as prize commodities until they were no longer a winner.
The dogs were either adopted or the other option. I didn’t ask, but in my heart, I know some of the owners didn’t seek out a vet to dispose of the problematic animal in question. I know there are greyhound racing fans and owners out there tutting and rolling their eyes, but the truth is, the activity isn’t even a sport.
I know from first-hand experience from my regular visits to the now-closed Walthamstow dog tracks that not all owners give their greyhounds the proper care they need. Sometimes, it was simply about entering a dog not to win but just to make up the numbers.
My friend’s late grandad, who later opened a working man’s club, would have his greyhound trophies behind the bar. By then, he had grown conscious and adopted greyhounds and actively tried to find them homes.
Why? Because even he knew the dogs were not all treated as well as they should be. And in New Zealand, it seems years of reports confirm this. Dogs who are injured get thrown aside, and many are mistreated.
New Zealand Government Makes a Rational Decision
The rational decision from the New Zealand government came after pressure from animal welfare activists. The statistics and proof of mistreatment have become too much to ignore.
Yet, rather than an immediate ban, the NZ authorities have given greyhound owners and racetracks time to adjust. One year, to be precise, as the target to ban greyhound racing is 2026 in August.
If you were wondering what happens to the greyhounds, there are plans in place to rehome an estimated 2,900 greyhounds currently racing in the industry. With the official announcement of the ban, hopefully, there will be no more breeding, as now it makes no business sense for breeders.
If the dogs take time to find homes, there is already a plan to protect the animals from unnecessary euthanasia unless a vet approves such drastic measures.
The Plan Has Full Political Backing
Despite measures in place to improve the dogs’ welfar,e it seems this was not enough to prevent the eventual ban. Reports showed that keeping the dogs fit and treating them fairly was not financially viable for most greyhound racing dog owners.
The complaints that increasing rules to enhance the dog’s welfare were costing owners too much. That was the final straw. The industry cannot keep the dogs’ welfare ahead of profits, and so the activity is deemed as unfair cruelty.
If the finances cannot support the proper treatment of life, then the only solution is to ban it.
Greyhound Racing New Zealand Against the Plans
There was no doubt that the country’s greyhound industry would be up in arms about the decision. There are, of course, jobs and businesses affected by the ban.
The industry is responsible for 1,000+ jobs. Yet, those people are earning money from the misery of the poor conditions some dog owners keep their dogs. In my opinion, it is a worthy cause to lose your job, depending on where your heart is.
Also, I can say from experience only the wealthiest owners can keep their dogs in tip-top condition. The up-and-coming owners and some of the breeders on the outer rims of the industry to get rich quickly are the issue. Yet, you cannot have a fully operational industry without the lesser-known breeders and owners.
As a result, it is this side of the industry that the New Zealand government has long needed to ban. I can say the same for Ireland and the UK. They have to go, and without them the wealthier owners who do look after their dogs unfortunately cannot operate without them. Therefore, a complete shutdown is the only viable solution.
Casinoplusbonus backing: We fully support the New Zealand government in its decision. Money should be no object, and were making a profit comes at the price of the welfare of the dogs, then the activity should be banned. Plus, theres always virtual greyhound racing ladies and gents!
Leave A Comment