Government announces review into the welfare and safety of dogs in the Greyhound Industry!

[Chief Stipe]

Racing Minister Grant Robertson just announced a review into the welfare and safety of dogs in the Greyhound Industry.

I'm telling you now Greyhound's are going to cease being an industry before the term of this Government is over.  You won't get any support from the codes as it isn't in their interest.

Glenda Hughes has ZERO empathy for the industry and the NZRB/RITA/TAB-NZ is controlled by Thoroughbreds.

Now you can turn on each other and point the finger at certain practices and trainers BUT you will lose out and have NO industry.

[the galah]

48 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Racing Minister Grant Robertson just announced a review into the welfare and safety of dogs in the Greyhound Industry.

I'm telling you now Greyhound's are going to cease being an industry before the term of this Government is over.  You won't get any support from the codes as it isn't in their interest.

Glenda Hughes has ZERO empathy for the industry and the NZRB/RITA/TAB-NZ is controlled by Thoroughbreds.

Now you can turn on each other and point the finger at certain practices and trainers BUT you will lose out and have NO industry.

Rather pessimistic outlook you have for the greyhounds there chief. I think the reality is much more positive.

You do have to wonder why the industry leadership is so slow to put in places the required changes that ultimately protects its participants. Is it because they actually are uncomfortable with many current practices,and theirs not the push from those on the coal face for change.What else could it be? If thats the case then maybe the chief is right. But surely those within the industry will wake up before its too late.

Personally i only  bet on the auckland dogs,as they at least seem to have fields with more than a couple of trainers.Personally i don't think its a good look when a couple of trainers breed so many and often supply 75% of the runners. How is that right?

Edited April 15, 2021 by the galah

[Chief Stipe]

4 minutes ago, the galah said:

Rather pessimistic outlook you have for the greyhounds there chief. I think the reality is much more positive.

The animal rights lobby have a soft target with Greyhounds as it involves an animal that a significant part of the population can relate to.  This Government sees Greyhound's as a potential sacrificial lamb that appeases their supporters and the Greens.  Further those that control the Racing Industry don't give a shyte about the dogs.  

6 minutes ago, the galah said:

You do have to wonder why the industry leadership is so slow to put in places the required changes that ultimately protects its participants. Is it because they actually are uncomfortable with many current practices,and theirs not the push from those on the coal face for change.What else could it be? If thats the case then maybe the chief is right. But surely those within the industry will wake up before its too late.

What required changes?  Those protesting against the industry have made it quite clear that their objective is to close it down.  Doesn't matter what you change it won't change their objective.

Remember Greyhound Racing was banned for a short period in NSW and Queensland was going to follow their lead.  However the Greyhound Industry was quick to respond and had sufficient clout to turn those bans around.  NZ doesn't have the same level of clout and the local industry is led by leaders that really don't seem to have any passion for the sport nor are they proactive. 

You watch the animal rights groups baying for blood - the noise will be very loud and the Government will kowtow to them.  I fail to believe that socialist Robertson truly gives a damn about racing other than fraternising with the Waikato Thoroughbred elite!

[Horace]

14 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

The animal rights lobby have a soft target with Greyhounds as it involves an animal that a significant part of the population can relate to.  This Government sees Greyhound's as a potential sacrificial lamb that appeases their supporters and the Greens.  Further those that control the Racing Industry don't give a shyte about the dogs.  

What required changes?  Those protesting against the industry have made it quite clear that their objective is to close it down.  Doesn't matter what you change it won't change their objective.

Remember Greyhound Racing was banned for a short period in NSW and Queensland was going to follow their lead.  However the Greyhound Industry was quick to respond and had sufficient clout to turn those bans around.  NZ doesn't have the same level of clout and the local industry is led by leaders that really don't seem to have any passion for the sport nor are they proactive. 

You watch the animal rights groups baying for blood - the noise will be very loud and the Government will kowtow to them.  I fail to believe that socialist Robertson truly gives a damn about racing other than fraternising with the Waikato Thoroughbred elite!

If the Chief is correct then you doggie folk can lay the blame directly o Glenda Hughes imho. The chickens are coming home to roost, and it's because people like Hughes ( and George and others) get themselves appointed to Boards, as CEO's etc and apart from taking the cash...do feck all. The carnage around the greyhound industry has been the 'elephant' in the room for a number of years. The NZ greyhound industry didn't react when NSW closed down greyhound racing a few years ago ( since re-commenced). Hughes has had the opportunity to take DECISIVE action but hasn't. Watch out...TB's / Harness are next on the Greens list.

[the galah]

Well i'm no expert,but why haven't they looked into introducing some straight track racing. Just refreshed my memory by reading a report into straight track racing in australia..

Amongst other things,it concluded that 80% of all catastrpohic and major injuries was caused by congestion,with most obviously occurring on bends. At many of the tracks studied it showed about half the number of injuries occurred on straight tracks as compared to oval. Murray bridge actually had 5 times the amount on their oval track compared to their straight track for the period studied.

They could reduce field size numbers from 8 to 7 on oval tracks. Redesign track shape to make the bends easier to get around.

Theres many rabbits the greyhound industry can pull out of the hat if they really needed to,and they just have to spin it properly to get the government to help fund it,and to get all the public thinking positively. It shouldn't be that hard.

Edited April 15, 2021 by the galah

[Horace]

1 hour ago, the galah said:

Well i'm no expert,but why haven't they looked into introducing some straight track racing. Just refreshed my memory by reading a report into straight track racing in australia..

Amongst other things,it concluded that 80% of all catastrpohic and major injuries was caused by congestion,with most obviously occurring on bends. At many of the tracks studied it showed about half the number of injuries occurred on straight tracks as compared to oval. Murray bridge actually had 5 times the amount on their oval track compared to their straight track for the period studied.

They could reduce field size numbers from 8 to 7 on oval tracks. Redesign track shape to make the bends easier to get around.

Theres many rabbits the greyhound industry can pull out of the hat if they really needed to,and they just have to spin it properly to get the government to help fund it,and to get all the public thinking positively. It shouldn't be that hard.

The injuries/deaths in races are only part of the issue. I understand that stories abound about greyhound bitches having multiple litters, and 'breeders' selecting one or two of the best looking dogs and killing the rest; live baiting;drugging race dogs etc etc. This 'enquiry' is NOT going to be pretty. And of course greyhound people will point at the horse industry and say 'what about them'...

[Gammalite]

3 hours ago, Horace said:

The NZ greyhound industry didn't react when NSW closed down greyhound racing a few years ago ( since re-commenced).

NSW shut down 2016 for only three months, after a live baiting scandal caused outrage. But with so many people's livelihoods  effected a better option was introduced with the forming of a NSW Greyhound Reform Panel, which made 122 recommendations to 'clean-up' the industry. 121 were actioned. Since then NSW has actually run an annual $1,000,000 race chase since 2018 (3 times now) so with that sort of prize up for grabs (qualifying around all the regional centres) the dogs are going bigger than ever NSW.

[Chief Stipe]

9 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

NSW shut down 2016 for only three months, after a live baiting scandal caused outrage. But with so many people's livelihoods  effected a better option was introduced with the forming of a NSW Greyhound Reform Panel, which made 122 recommendations to 'clean-up' the industry. 121 were actioned. Since then NSW has actually run an annual $1,000,000 race chase since 2018 (3 times now) so with that sort of prize up for grabs (qualifying around all the regional centres) the dogs are going bigger than ever NSW.

In NZ Greyhounds don't have that much electoral weight as they do in OZ.  Excuse the pun but in NZ banning Greyhound racing will be an easy rabbit kill that will give the Government more electoral support than it loses.

[Jacob]

While greyhound racing has improved. The biggest issue is always going to be the amount of dogs bred each year, how many make it to the track, and how many are rehomed.

When there are trainers out there who supposedly have 700 dogs a year and only race 130 tops and rehome 0, it makes people question what's happening. Something like this is the only real reason I could see the racing industry closing 

[Jacob]

1 hour ago, Horace said:

The injuries/deaths in races are only part of the issue. I understand that stories abound about greyhound bitches having multiple litters, and 'breeders' selecting one or two of the best looking dogs and killing the rest; live baiting;drugging race dogs etc etc. This 'enquiry' is NOT going to be pretty. And of course greyhound people will point at the horse industry and say 'what about them'...

I've never seen a breeder select 2 pups that look the best and kill the rest as pups. Everything else listed there is in line with the standards set out by the welfare minister.

[Kiwigreys]

Took 2 years to ban live exports ( ends in 2023) because of some bleeding heart greenie, $200m+ for the economy down the gurgler, the aussies are laughing all the way to the bank increasing their live exports 

the dogs will go the same way if changes don’t happen and soon....

[Kiwigreys]

Anyone know who the 8 dogs are they are referring to 

[Horace]

55 minutes ago, Kiwigreys said:

Took 2 years to ban live exports ( ends in 2023) because of some bleeding heart greenie, $200m+ for the economy down the gurgler, the aussies are laughing all the way to the bank increasing their live exports 

the dogs will go the same way if changes don’t happen and soon....

Did you happen to see one of the bleeding heart greenies on TV3 news tonight? She said there were 7 countries in the World where dogs race ( not sure if thats correct )..she then said that there were going to be 6 after it was banned here in NZ. Thats your problem Greyhound Industry. If you were one of the suckers who voted labour back in in the last election...do you still think it was a good idea? labour don't need the greens..at the moment..but if you think deals aren't already being done ahead of the next election your'e kidding yourself. 

[Gammalite]

4 hours ago, Jacob said:

I've never seen a breeder select 2 pups that look the best and kill the rest as pups. Everything else listed there is in line with the standards set out by the welfare minister.

Don't worry that is just scare mongering that is trying to build a hateful picture. Pups in a litter all look the same except for the occasional 'runt', the last one out, who usually gets special care. (any dog breed)

From what I've seen the dogs (greys) are treated well and Love to Run !! people have fun , the dogs have fun. I have never raced one but was involved in vet after harness racing and we homed many dogs that weren't able to race. I picked up heaps for 'student vets' to spey/ castrate as practise for their careers and GAP (greyhound Adoption Program) found people to take them on afterthat. Also some great surgeons saved some , Dr Richard Eaton-Wells every day fixing toes and breaks in surgery and I found the greyhound folk to be very caring. 

Good Luck for a bright racing future.

[Coaster]

Horace you are on the ball with your statement

"If the Chief is correct then you doggie folk can lay the blame directly o Glenda Hughes imho. The chickens are coming home to roost, and it's because people like Hughes ( and George and others) get themselves appointed to Boards, as CEO's etc and apart from taking the cash...do feck all." 

Nobody fighting the case and a CEO who never has. No passion, no loyalty just an absentee landlord... getting paid big bucks.

[Chief Stipe]

On 16/04/2021 at 11:40 AM, the galah said:

Theres many rabbits the greyhound industry can pull out of the hat if they really needed to,and they just have to spin it properly to get the government to help fund it,and to get all the public thinking positively. It shouldn't be that hard.

The general public don't give a damn about Greyhound racing.  Won't matter how much spin you put on it.

22 hours ago, Gammalite said:

Good Luck for a bright racing future.

I'd be very surprised if Greyhound Racing in New Zealand survives this review.    

[Horace]

1 hour ago, Coaster said:

Horace you are on the ball with your statement

"If the Chief is correct then you doggie folk can lay the blame directly o Glenda Hughes imho. The chickens are coming home to roost, and it's because people like Hughes ( and George and others) get themselves appointed to Boards, as CEO's etc and apart from taking the cash...do feck all." 

Nobody fighting the case and a CEO who never has. No passion, no loyalty just an absentee landlord... getting paid big bucks.

Hughes has got away with doing nothing for years. She somehow got herself on the old Racing board...did nothing...why the Greyhound Industry wanted her to have anything to do with their industry is beyond me. but thats indicative of the whole racing industry in this country. When Hughes was 'appointed' a couple of years ago there was an opportunity for her to say...' this industry is on the way to being fucked. What MUST I do to save it?. So, what did she do? I hope for the 90% involved in greyhound racing in NZ that it survives..but this 'enquiry' seems to me a typical govt ploy. i.e...' we know the outcome..just go through the motions so we can say we held an enquiry nd the result is-no more greyhound racing in NZ'

[Chief Stipe]

GRNZ and Glenda Hughes appear to have not made any public comment regarding the Government review.

Has she given up or thinks it will just go away?

[Yankiwi]

GRNZ has made comment on their website.

https://www.grnz.co.nz/News/2674/Statement-Regarding-Review-into-Greyhound-Racing

[Coaster]

42 minutes ago, Yankiwi said:

GRNZ has made comment on their website.

https://www.grnz.co.nz/News/2674/Statement-Regarding-Review-into-Greyhound-Racing

How many of the general public look at the website ? Zero I would guess. Like Chief Stipe says no other statement. Piss poor from the industry leaders.

[aquaman]

14 hours ago, Coaster said:

How many of the general public look at the website ? Zero I would guess. Like Chief Stipe says no other statement. Piss poor from the industry leaders.

Yes, thats part of the problem, poor to zero leadership. And that includes all 3 codes.

[A Dogs Life]

On 4/16/2021 at 3:19 PM, Jacob said:

While greyhound racing has improved. The biggest issue is always going to be the amount of dogs bred each year, how many make it to the track, and how many are rehomed.

When there are trainers out there who supposedly have 700 dogs a year and only race 130 tops and rehome 0, it makes people question what's happening. Something like this is the only real reason I could see the racing industry closing 

Jacob I'm not sure where you get your information from, to state they have rehomed 0 dogs is absolute rubbish. 

I personally know general public that have adopted dogs from Nightrave and Gap that came from that trainer you refer to that supposedly has 700 dogs, I actually challenge you to approach Gap, May hounds and Nightrave and ask the total he has actually rehomed.

[A Dogs Life]

For those stating GRNZ has done nothing, I strongly suggest you read this report, at the end of the report is all the recommendations and actions, remedies Grnz has taken.

You may actually be surprised as I was reading it.

Why are so many spinning untruths they have done nothing?

This report is easy to find for anyone who bothers to look on their website. 

What Grnz should do is throw this report to all the media they can.

https://www.grnz.co.nz/Files/November%202020/2020%20Annual%20Report%20Compressed.pdf

[Coaster]

1 hour ago, A Dogs Life said:

For those stating GRNZ has done nothing, I strongly suggest you read this report, at the end of the report is all the recommendations and actions, remedies Grnz has taken.

You may actually be surprised as I was reading it.

Why are so many spinning untruths they have done nothing?

This report is easy to find for anyone who bothers to look on their website. 

What Grnz should do is throw this report to all the media they can.

https://www.grnz.co.nz/Files/November 2020/2020 Annual Report Compressed.pdf

Nobody is questioning the improvement and effort in to welfare that GRNZ have put in the report but what is in question is the lack of fight against those opposing greyhound racing. How many New Zealanders read that report? Have we seen a media campaign regarding all the improvements ? Have we seen anybody arguing what the anti's are saying ? No and the lack of this is disappointing to say the least. 

[Jacob]

5 hours ago, A Dogs Life said:

Jacob I'm not sure where you get your information from, to state they have rehomed 0 dogs is absolute rubbish. 

I personally know general public that have adopted dogs from Nightrave and Gap that came from that trainer you refer to that supposedly has 700 dogs, I actually challenge you to approach Gap, May hounds and Nightrave and ask the total he has actually rehomed.