The New Zealand government said Tuesday that it would move to ban greyhound racing starting in 2026, citing concerns over the rate of injuries and deaths among racing dogs.
“Despite significant progress made by the greyhound racing industry in recent years, the percentage of dogs being injured remains persistently high, and the time has come to make a call in the best interest of the animals,” Deputy Prime Minister and Racing Minister Winston Peters told reporters.
Commercial greyhound racing remains legal in only a few countries, including the U.S., Australia, Britain and Ireland.
The industry has come under growing scrutiny in recent years over the treatment of the racing dogs. While Peters acknowledged the efforts the industry had made to improve, he said canine injuries and deaths remained “unacceptably high.”
Sean Hannan, chairman of Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ), said the decision was a “devastating blow” to an industry that had made significant investments in reform.
“We are extremely disappointed that the government has not recognized the work the industry has done to address areas of concern — to the extent that it now leads the wider racing industry with its commitment to animal welfare,” he said in a statement.
“This decision is not just about the sport; it affects families, businesses, and communities who have dedicated their lives to caring for and racing greyhounds,” Hannan continued, adding that the industry employs more than 1,000 people.
The government proposed a bill Tuesday to prevent the unnecessary killing of racing dogs, while legislation to outlaw greyhound racing altogether will be introduced next year, which would allow it to be phased out over the next 20 months. Peters said the greyhound racing industry would be able to make submissions about the legislation.
He also said the government would work with animal welfare groups to rehome about 2,900 racing dogs.
Animal welfare groups cheered the government’s decision.
“Thank you for listening to evidence, experts, and the New Zealand public. Thank you for paving the way for these dogs to live a good life,” Dr. Arnja Dale, the New Zealand SPCA’s chief scientific officer, said in a statement. “We are relieved, and absolutely thrilled, that after years of being given many ‘last chances,’ GRNZ has been directed to shut this business down.”
She added that she hoped the news “inspires the very few remaining countries who still have a commercial greyhound industry to follow New Zealand’s brave example.”