In May, a smaller Report from NZ’s Racing Integrity Board (RIB) was released.

The Supplementary Report (dated March 2023) was written at the request of the Minister of Racing. Whereas the December report talks at great lengths about all the things that would have to happen to reform the Industry, the bulky report didn’t say much about options for closing down the industry.

The request of the RIB to report on options for Closure was done with the express request to keep it confidential. That is, the Board could not talk with anyone working in animal welfare, or from within the industry, about how to manage closure. The report relies entirely on publicly available material from other countries with the understanding that a more detailed strategy and plan are needed.

The RIB is probably not the body that should be in charge of a closure plan, but they’ve come up with a long list of references. Had the Minister bothered to read submissions from previous reviews, he would have seen that people like me cautioned that a planned and phased closure are needed to preserve the rights and welfare of the hounds.

Such is the case, for example, with the State of Florida.

In 2018, 70% of Florida voters approved a ban on greyhound racing with an effective date of January 2021. The phase-out period was two years. The racing industry in Florida blacklisted adoption groups that had supported the industry’s closure; only adoption groups that were neutral or pro-racing were allowed to receive dogs for adoption. Nonetheless,‘it was reported that there are more willing adopters than dogs coming off the tracks.’

The Supplementary Report summarises the pros and cons of a shorter transition period vs a longer one for an industry closure. Those summaries are copied here:

Let’s face it, both options have their benefits and the risks will have to be managed. No one who truly cares about the dogs wants to see greyhounds over-raced and their welfare otherwise compromised. The RIB has already acknowledged in its longer report that progress towards animal welfare goals is only accomplished under strict supervision and watchful monitoring of the industry.

A closure of the industry will be no different.

This report is a start, but what NZ really needs is the leadership to make a decision on greyhound racing. If that leadership doesn’t eventuate, then a binding referendum will be needed and sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, who looks after the dogs?

Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand