Victorian Greyhound Industry Shocked by Ban in New Zealand

Hurdle race action at Towcester greyhound track in Towcester, England, on July 1, 2017. Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Victoria’s greyhound racing community has been blindsided by a blanket ban on the industry in New Zealand, say key trainers and officials.

The country’s deputy prime minister and racing minister, Winston Peters, told media on Dec. 10 that the decision to wind down the sport was not taken lightly, and driven by wanting to protect the dogs’ welfare.

All New Zealand greyhound racing clubs and tracks will be closed by the end of 2026.

“Despite significant progress made by the greyhound racing industry in recent years, the percentage of dogs being injured remains persistently high,” Peters told reporters.

“And the time has come to make a call in the best interest of the animals.”

The ban of greyhound racing in New Zealand was met with consternation by key figures in the industry in Victoria, including Group1-winning trainer Brad Greenough and Greyhound Racing Victoria CEO Stuart Laing.

“While it’s very disheartening, and people can certainly look at these kinds of decisions and think all is gloom and doom, we want to reiterate that we’ll continue to pursue that vision that greyhound racing is growing into a vibrant and inclusive sport,” Laing told RSN Racing and Sport.

“And it’s underpinned by first-class animal welfare and integrity.”

Peters said he acknowledged the work done by Greyhound Racing New Zealand to improve animal safety and welfare, but added injury rates remained “unacceptably high.”

“While fewer dogs are dying, injury rates—while down slightly—have plateaued and remain unacceptably high,” he said.

“It is intended that greyhound racing would be wound down over a 20-month period to enable the rehoming of racing dogs, and to provide a transition period for people involved in the industry.”

New Zealand’s Green Party said it was very happy with the news.

“This is a great day for the welfare of greyhounds; they have a right to live without suffering,” said the Green Party’s animal welfare and racing spokesperson, Steve Abel.

“We recognise the tireless work of animal welfare groups who have worked over the years to achieve this outcome.”

‘It’s a Shock and a Disgrace’

As Group 1-winning greyhound trainer Brad Greenough oversaw Epitomize’s classy victory from box eight in the Silver Chief Final at The Meadows on Saturday night, he said greyhound welfare in Victoria has never been better.

“I think it [the ban] came as a big shock, and I don’t think anyone expected it,” he told The Epoch Times.

“I think that the support we have here is immense, and I feel like if we can give some of that support to them [in New Zealand] we will because I really want that turned around.

“It’s heartbreaking for their livelihoods. What happens now? That’s the big question mark on it all.”

Peters said racing greyhounds will not be sent to jurisdictions overseas.

“They’ll be rehomed, not re-racetracked,” he said.

There are currently eight countries that host greyhound racing, with Australia the biggest in terms of prizemoney and participants.

Peters did not give a definitive answer when asked whether international greyhound racing would continue to be telecast live in New Zealand after the ban takes affect.

“This is racing offshore—we have no control over their industry,” he said.

“People have a right to turn on the TV and watch what they can watch without the virtue signallers telling them what’s good for them.”

Greenough—the grandson of top trainers Kel and Jackie Greenough—said the greyhound racing industry in Victoria has made huge strides forward with its animal welfare protocols.

“How far it’s come in the 15 years I’ve been involved has been like night and day,” he said.

“And all the questions people have had from the outside have been answered. It’s not even a discussion anymore.

“They never will be happy, and we’ve answered all the questions and queries.”

Greyhound trainers all around Australia now spend money on air-conditioned kennels, transport vans with ample room and top-quality feeds, among others.

“Those expenses are what we put in for the dogs because that’s what you have to do, and that’s how you get results,” Greenough said.

“It all pays off.”

With this level of care and attention combined with a high level of natural ability, Greenough said the sky was the limit for Epitomize after his Silver Chief Final victory over 525 metres and from the outside lane.

It was Greenough’s first victory at the elite level.

“He’s probably got one of the brightest futures of any dog I’ve had. He’s only a baby—he’s only two years and four months,” he said.

“He hasn’t even peaked yet, so another four or so months we’ll see a different side of him.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity—the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)—said it was “ecstatic” at the country’s greyhound-racing ban.

“This means that approximately 3,500 dogs currently involved in the racing industry will no longer be put at risk of injury, distress or avoidable death,” the SPCA said in a statement.

‘Devastating Blow’: Governing Body

Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) Chair Sean Hannan described the decision as a “devastating blow” to the industry, particularly after investing significantly in reforming its animal welfare processes.

In recent years, GRNZ implemented stringent regulations in relation to wellbeing, breeding, rehoming, and euthanasia.

“The government’s decision to close the industry is profoundly disappointing, as it overlooks the meaningful progress we have achieved,” he said.

Hannan now has concerns about the future of greyhound breeding in his country.

The greyhound racing industry provided full-time equivalent employment for 1,054 people and $159.2 million in total value added contribution to the economy in FY23.

However, the SPCA stated that “75 percent of New Zealanders support a ban, preferring to see these dogs as pets not bets.”

“We are relieved, and absolutely thrilled, that after years of being given many ‘last chances,’ GRNZ has been directed to shut this business down,” said SPCA’s Chief Scientific Officer, Arnja Dale.

“We hope Mr. Peter’s leadership on animal welfare inspires the very few remaining countries who still have a commercial greyhound industry to follow New Zealand’s brave example.”

The SPCA said it supported “a transition period to allow dogs to be responsibly placed in loving homes, enjoying freedom to run for joy, not profit.”

“SPCA also favours a fair and just transition for all those involved in the industry, and looks forward to working with GRNZ and other stakeholders to ensure positive outcomes and traceability of every dog as they exit the racing industry,” it said.

Greyhounds Could Return to Cranbourne

While greyhound racing will be shut down in New Zealand at the end of 2026, it could make a return to Cranbourne after it was discontinued at the south-east Melbourne venue last year.

In August last year, Greyhound Racing Victoria announced that its track would not be rebuilt due to excessive costs.

There have been no race meetings there since January 2022 due to a lure malfunction that lead to some greyhounds being injured.

But the Liberal member for South-Eastern Metropolitan, Ann-Marie Hermans, recently said in state parliament that the local community was looking forward to greyhound racing returning to Cranbourne.

Victorian Nationals’ shadow minister for racing, Tim Bull, supported the return of greyhound racing to Cranbourne.

“We do have a big population of dogs down that way, and a good cohort of trainers,” he told The Epoch Times.

“What has happened down there hasn’t been ideal, but the sooner we get racing back there the better.”