Racing Minister, Winston Peters says a brighter future awaits the hundreds of dogs involved in the greyhound racing industry which officially winds up for good from today.
The legislation to end commercial greyhound racing followed a decade in which three independent reports showed unacceptable death and injury rates, with no noticeable improvement, the Government said in a statement.
Mr Peters says the focus is now on rehoming the estimated 1,400 dogs with the Greyhound Transition Agency (GTA) appointed to coordinate the task.
“The GTA is has a clear plan – the Greyhound Rehoming Project – is fully funded and is working with established expert organisations who have been rehoming racing industry greyhounds for years,” said Mr Peters.
“The rehoming plan ensures owners / trainers of former racing dogs have financial support to care for animals until they are rehomed.
“There was clear, strong support from most New Zealanders that ending greyhound racing was the right thing to do.”
Mr Peters confirmed no taxpayer money is being used in the $60 million programme, which is being funded by the TAB.
“The last week of racing was sadly marked by yet another death of a greyhound which was put down after breaking her leg in a race at Addington on Wednesday. It was a tragic reminder of the toll of deaths and serious injury for an industry which had run out of social licence to operate.”
“Let that be the last death of a racing dog, and we encourage Kiwis to get onboard in providing these greyhounds with a loving home and a brighter future,” Mr Peters says.
