by sian tate. greyhound racing new zealand – grnz / nzgra regional greyhound racing clubs ...
TRANSCRIPT
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