Government puts greyhound racing on notice after review into industry

[Chief Stipe]

Government puts greyhound racing on notice after review into industry

2 Sep, 2021 03:00 PM3 minutes to read

Racing Minister Grant Robertson said improvements need to be made in the industry or "risk closure".

NZ Herald

 

 

The Government has put the greyhound racing industry on notice following a review of animal welfare and safety in the industry.

The Government announced the review earlier this year - conducted by Sir Bruce Robertson, a former senior judge and the current Chair of the Racing Integrity Establishment Board - following calls for a complete ban on greyhound racing.

The report from the review found three fundamental issues that still need to be addressed:

1. Data recording
2. Transparency of all activities
3. Animal welfare generally

 

Racing Minister Grant Robertson said the report shows the industry's "social licence" is under challenge.

"Sir Bruce Robertson carried out a thorough review of the industry, meeting with interest groups from both within greyhound racing and outside. He also met with individual trainers and breeders," Grant Robertson said.

"His report makes it clear the social licence to operate the sport of greyhound racing is under challenge. He concluded that if Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) wants to secure its future it must demonstrate the decency of the industry, but it has made its job harder by unnecessarily obfuscating information and pushing back against those with an interest.

 

[Chief Stipe]

Greyhound deaths put NZ racing on notice

THU, AUG 5 • SOURCE:  AAP

 

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Jacinda Ardern's government will consider banning greyhound racing in the wake of another report into animal welfare practices in New Zealand.

 

Source: 1 NEWS

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Advocates believe Ardern's government are on the brink of a clampdown - and possible closure - of the industry, and claim community support for the move.

Yesterday, animal rights charity SAFE and the Greyhound Protection League presented a petition signed by 37,000 Kiwis to ban the practice to the government.

"It's going to do the magic and it's going to ban greyhound racing," chief executive Debra Ashton said.

"We're serious on getting a ban ... New Zealand is one of seven countries to allow greyhound racing but the industry is rife with injury, death and doping scandals."

Outside parliament, activists held signs shaped like dog tags, each emblazoned with the name of a dog to die while racing.

 

 

Greyhound trainer whose dog had meth in system has racing ban quadrupled

"In the past season 31 dogs have been killed on the track but that's believed to be the tip of the iceberg," Ashton said.

With 37,000 signatures, the petition is one of the most supported to reach parliament in years.

It lands at the same time as a fresh new greyhound welfare report arrives in the hands of Grant Robertson; deputy PM and racing minister.

The as-yet public report, commissioned in April and produced by Racing Integrity Establishment Board chairman Sir Bruce Robertson, is the latest into a troubled industry.

An independent 2013 report by consultants WHK recommended broad improvement to welfare standards.

A follow-up industry-commissioned review in 2017 found in a four-year period, 1440 dogs required euthanisation after racing.

Greyhound Racing NZ claim they've improved welfare standards since then, but for welfare advocates, it's not enough.

"Multiple reports over the past decade and a half have consistently shown the industry has not been able to keep up ... or ensure there are no deaths," Greens animal welfare spokesperson Chloe Swarbrick told AAP.

 

 

SAFE repeats call for greyhound racing ban after another doping case

"That brings us to the conclusion that (deaths) are not a bug, they are in fact a system feature."

But does the Ardern Government have the ticker to close down a multi-million dollar industry?

The report is currently before cabinet and Ardern says she is studying it closely.

"I want to make sure that we uphold our reputation as a country that takes seriously animal welfare issues," she said.

A ban isn't part of the terms of reference to this report.

Instead, new regulations could be levied that effectively make racing impractical.

"I'm still very concerned about the number of injuries that I see within greyhound racing, I do think that it's an area where there are clear concerns for the public and for animal welfare," Robertson said.

"Greyhound Racing New Zealand has had a series of reports done which have given it the opportunity to be able to operate (ethically)."

 Swarbrick says the government's "courageous" move to ban live exports by sea earlier this year shows New Zealand is ready to walk the walk on animal welfare.

"Even undertaking this greyhound inquiry, four years after the last one, is indicative of the direction of travel," she said.

[Yankiwi]

Well GRNZ, seems Parliament wasn't overly impressed with your IndependAnt Review...

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2021/09/greyhound-racing-industry-put-on-notice-after-government-review-into-animal-welfare-concerns.html

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/450619/greyhound-racing-industry-on-notice-over-transparency-animal-welfare-minister

 

My advice to the GRNZ board, immediately remove the top two cogs from headquarters & replace those two positions with ONE position/person that can actually get the job done. You let the last one with the talent, know-how & drive to get it done head off overseas to take up a key position with GRV.

https://www.grv.org.au/about-us/grv-leadership-team/

How's GRV tracking since his arrival there?

[BitofaLegend]

No surprise at all. I read the review grnz submitted and there numbers didnt add up. One of there categories had 0 dogs when ive brought in 2 alone for that purpose and they know. 

[Yankiwi]

So this is where the Racing & Welfare manager thinks his time is best spent. Wasn't it less than 3 weeks ago GRNZ was put on put on notice?

Every time this joker opens up his mouth to speak, only dribble comes out.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/126406503/three-groups-compete-for-land-at-christchurchs-qeii-park?fbclid=IwAR2op7JbeQxN9TO2jsq1877AoSZCYeyK4MiA2SZ7cP2EyZRemdUd4jZ8db8

[aquaman]

Have to disagree with you on this one Charles. Better to be proactive rather than reactive. I also think Michael Dore is the right man for his job. Past ones have been useless, Michael at lest knows what its all about. Just my thoughts.

[Yankiwi]

5 hours ago, aquaman said:

Michael at lest knows what its all about. Just my thoughts.

I beg to differ Aquaman.

$2m might (and that's a big might) pay for the kennel blocks, lighting & a parking lot.

Where's his rough estimate for drainage, track, lure, photo finish, tower, fencing, miles of underground electrical cabling, tractors, watering truck and/or irrigation? What about the land?

With all due respect, Michael doesn't have a clue about what the costs associated would be. Why invest maybe $10m (a closer estimate than the dribble that spilled from his mouth) into a new build on ground that is proven to be moving? My estimate doesn't include the cost to purchase land either.

A straight track is a good (and HISTORIC) idea. To even consider building it on land that has moved & will again is simply stupid.

[aquaman]

I do not think buying land would come into it, the land would be supplied by council with a lease as was QE11. Michael Dore's estimate was just a ball park figure. He's doing what any Racing Manager should do, always on the lookout for new opportunity's to progress the sport, and straight track racing needs serious consideration in light of pressure surrounding welfare expectations. I applaud them for looking at it.