New Zealand ends greyhound racing to protect animal welfare
Time for changes in the approach to dog sports. New Zealand announces a complete ban on greyhound racing. Politicians have noted a concerning rise in animal injuries from participating in these competitions. When will the ban take effect?
Dog races, such as those involving greyhounds, have been controversial for years. For some, it's an exciting event and tradition; for others, it's an unnecessary risk and source of animal suffering. Although spectacular, these competitions often involve excessive effort, injuries, and permanent damage to the dogs' health. There's also the issue of what happens to the dogs that stop being "useful" for racing. Can we reconcile sporting ambitions with the welfare of the animals, or is it time for reflection and changes in this industry?
New Zealand steps up to help dogs
Commercial greyhound racing is legal in Australia, Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and New Zealand. However, the latter has decided to implement significant changes that will impact the safety and health of greyhounds, the most popular breed of dogs used in racing.
The New Zealand government has announced a plan to ban dog racing. The decision was motivated by an "unacceptably high level of animal injuries." How long will the implementation of these changes take? According to politicians, about 20 months will be needed, during which sporting dogs will find peaceful homes, and those in the racing business will find new employment opportunities.
Minister of Racing Winston Peters said in a press statement: "Despite significant progress made in recent years by the greyhound racing industry, the percentage of dogs getting injured remains consistently high. Therefore, it is time to make a decision that is in the animals' best interest. This wasn’t an easy decision, but it was made to protect the welfare of racing dogs.
Animal welfare organizations are thrilled
Associations and organizations working for animals in New Zealand have enthusiastically welcomed the proposal to ban greyhound racing. Volunteers and activists collectively emphasize that the solution will significantly reduce the number of dog deaths due to accidents on the track.
On the other hand, members of the Greyhound Racing Association of New Zealand oppose the new law. Sean Hannan, the association's chairman, said in an interview with BBC: "The greyhound racing community is shocked by this decision, and many fear potential cultural and economic losses it may cause. The government's decision to shut down this industry is deeply disappointing because it ignores the significant progress we have made."
Source: "BBC"
