Greyhound Racing In NZ

By Sian Tate

Who is Involved in the Industry?

Greyhound Racing New Zealand – GRNZ / NZGRA Regional greyhound racing clubs Greyhounds as Pets - GAP Breeders, owners and trainers TAB The Greyhound Protection League – GPLNZ

Legal Expectations of the Industry

The Animal Welfare Act 1999 Codes of Welfare under the Act: Animal Welfare (Dogs) Code of Welfare 2010 Animal Welfare (Racing Industry Greyhounds)

Code of Welfare 2013 Dog Control Act 1996

3rd Degree investigate

sEarly 2013

Time line of events

Footage of offal pits shown to NZGRA

NZGRA independent welfare

review June 2013

Review finds

welfare issues

GRNA puts a plan in place to improve animal welfare issues of

the industry

Current welfare issues 3rd Degree investigation in 2013 driving

force Track safety and injuries Overbreeding “Missing” dogs Numerous healthy dogs euthanized Disposal of bodies

Track Safety & Injuries

Track Safety & Injuries

‘Missing’ Greyhounds

“Due to a lack of effective reporting the review team was unable to establish what happens to these greyhounds.” NZGRA Independent Welfare Report

The numbers

GPLNZ 1400 dogs added to

industry each year Up to 200 rehomed by

GAP Up to 1200 ‘missing’

each year

NZGRA

Average 770 whelped each year, 35% never race

3454 dogs ‘missing’ over 13 years

Euthanasia of Greyhounds

Legally can be done by a Vet on humane grounds or if no other options are available.

Evidence that ‘retired’ often means dog has been euthanized

Offal pits used for disposal of greyhound bodies Are healthy dogs being euthanized because they

don’t race well?

Living Conditions “…abuse, confined

spaces, overbreeding and significant injuries which often end in euthanasia.” GPLNZ

“little evidence of issues relating to the care of greyhounds during their racing careers.” NZGRA Independent Welfare Report

Overbreeding Is a problem because it leads to excess dogs

(unraced) in the industry 35% whelped dogs between 2009-2012 never

made it to the track

What happens to retired greyhounds?

Average racing career 1.5 years

Code of welfare outlines owners responsibilities

Greyhounds as Pets http://greyhoundsaspets.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1-July-14.jpg

77% have euthanized a healthy dog

Approx. 30% of dogs retired from industry ‘09-’12 listed as deceased.

Steps taken to improve welfare

Welfare officer appointed Welfare code Registration for breeders Database for dogs More funding for GAP Performance objective to reduce dog deaths Improve track standards Euthanasia policy

ANY QUESTIONS?

BibliographyBingham, E. (Producer), Enticott, P. (Editor), Penfold, P. (Reporter). (2013).

Shocking New Greyhound Revelations [video]. New Zealand: 3rd Degree.Colgan, Bill., Foy, Les., Neil, Craig. (2013). New Zealand Greyhound Racing

Association: Independent Welfare Review. New Zealand: WHKGreyhound Safe. (2013, February 26). Inquiry Launched into Greyhound

Racing – New Zealand [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xiUV31O1M8

Animal Welfare Act (1999). Retrieved from http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1999/0142/latest/DLM49664.html

Animal Welfare (Racing Industry Greyhounds) Code of Welfare (2013). (2014, January 11). Retrieved from www.thedogs.co.nz

Animal Welfare (Dogs) Code of Welfare (2010). (2010, June 11). Retrieved from www.biosecurity.govt.nz

Greyhound Racing New Zealand: The Dogs. (2009). Rules and Policies/News Articles. Retrieved from http://www.thedogs.co.nz/about-nzgra/Rules-and-Policies.aspx

Greyhounds as Pets. (2013). Retrieved from www.greyhoundsaspets.org.nz