ADVOCACY: GREYHOUND RACING
Greyhound racing continues despite failings Year after year countless dogs suffer injury, mistreatment and even death within New Zealand’s racing industry – all in the name of ‘entertainment’. With its social licence well and truly revoked, Greyhound racing in New Zealand should, by rights, be a thing of the past. However, despite repeated warnings from the Government, injuries, methamphetamine cases, poor kennel conditions, abuse, and deaths persist. This financial year SAFE met with the Minister for Racing and the Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare) to express our grave concerns regarding the high rates of injuries and fatalities among greyhounds, as well as the lack of transparency within the industry.
When the lease for the Manukau greyhound racetrack was up for renewal at the Manukau Sports Bowl, SAFE’s Auckland supporters and many in the Otara-Papatoetoe community advocated for an athletics track to replace it. SAFE Campaign Manager, Emma Brodie, spoke at the Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board meeting in support of greyhounds and provided the board with key statistics on greyhound racing. Through the media SAFE drew attention to the “once in a generation” opportunity for Auckland to have their say on the future of the track.
During the same year, our dedicated supporters sent over 11,000 emails to the Minister for Racing and the Prime Minister, urging them to enact a ban.
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SAFE believes this draft plan for the Manukau Sports Bowl is a fantastic opportunity to put family and community ahead of gambling and animal cruelty. Anna de Roo, SAFE Campaign Manager
SAFE.ORG.NZ
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