Veterinary Association calls for urgent action on greyhound racing report

  • 20/12/2017
Veterinary Association calls for urgent action on greyhound racing report
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The New Zealand Veterinary Association has called for swift changes to greyhound racing, after a report raising serious concerns about animal welfare.

The NZ Racing Board-commissioned report found 308 dogs "unsuitable for rehoming" were euthanised and a further 175 were killed with no reason given.

Of the 8891 dogs that were monitored in the report, only 1123 made it past age five.

New Zealand Veterinary Association CEO Mark Ward said he was very concerned about the welfare issues raised in the report.

He called on Greyhound Racing New Zealand to act swiftly on the report's allegations and to improve the welfare of racing animals.

"With New Zealand being one of the few places in the world where greyhound racing is permitted, GRNZ must urgently improve greyhound welfare in order to retain their social license to operate."

Racing Minister Winston Peters called the report's findings "disturbing" and met with GRNZ, after receiving the report, to express his disappointment.

"When the welfare of greyhounds should be paramount, the Hansen report has revealed rates of dog euthanasia, the numbers of 'unaccounted' for dogs and low numbers of rehomed greyhounds, which are simply unacceptable," he said.

Newshub.