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New Zealand animal welfare group SAFE is calling for urgent Government action to enforce the closure of greyhound racing following the deaths of two more greyhounds last week.
On March 13 at Addington Raceway in Christchurch, a racing greyhound named Homebush Honey collapsed and died after a trial.
“SAFE has received footage showing a greyhound, who appears to be Homebush Honey, in visible distress,” the organisation says.
“Struggling to breathe and unable to stand, Homebush Honey is seen propped up while being hosed down across her body and in her mouth, before collapsing and becoming unresponsive.
“Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) reports confirm Homebush Honey’s death, meaning this footage likely captured her last breaths.”
SAFE says just days earlier, on March 10 at Addington Raceway, a racing greyhound named Know Motor suffered a severe fracture and later died following surgery.
A greyhound named Homebush Milo also collapsed and died after winning a race at Addington Raceway on March 7.
SAFE campaign manager Emma Brodie says the recent deaths, alongside the footage, expose the extreme risks greyhounds face every time they step onto the track.
“These deaths, coupled with the distressing footage we’ve received, make it impossible to ignore the brutal reality of greyhound racing.
“Three dogs suffered preventable deaths in just one week, and this alarming rate of fatalities cannot continue.”
Since the coalition Government announced a ban on greyhound racing in December, the death toll has risen to six, SAFE says.
“The Government announced the ban because the evidence was clear-this industry is beyond reform.
“The Government must step in now and enforce the shutdown of this cruel industry before more dogs pay the ultimate price.”
GRNZ chairperson Sean Hannan previously said the organisation has implemented stringent regulations governing breeding, rehoming, and euthanasia, aiming to exceed the standards set by New Zealand’s animal welfare legislation.
He emphasises the organisation has placed animal welfare at the core of its operations, advocating for the continuation of greyhound racing under strict oversight.
“We’re extremely concerned for the future of the industry’s greyhounds, which may no longer be a breed seen in New Zealand.”
New Zealand is one of only five countries where commercial greyhound racing is still permitted and practiced, alongside Australia, Ireland, the United States and United Kingdom.
