Law Fast-Tracked to Prevent Greyhound Owners from Euthanizing Their Dogs

Parliament has rushed through legislation to prevent greyhound owners from murdering their dogs in response to today's announcement of a racing ban.

The law, which passed all phases unanimously on Tuesday afternoon, would allow veterinarians to euthanize presently registered racing greyhounds only for welfare grounds.

Offenders might face a $50,000 fine or up to one year in prison.

Racing Minister Winston Peters told MPs that the bill would protect dogs and prevent them from being "needlessly put down".

"The government expects most, if not all, people in the industry will do the right things by their dogs," Mr. Peters said.

"However there is a risk, with the announcement of the government's decision today, that some otherwise healthy dogs could be destroyed for no other reason than they are no longer economically valuable."

Peters stated that the industry had run its course and that a ban on racing was the "tough but correct decision".

Former minister and "lifelong racing fan," Kieran McAnulty of Labour said it was a difficult decision to shut down an entire industry.

"What I faced [when minister] was the prospect of banning one of the three codes, but the evidence was so clear, that... despite the efforts, there was no other option." 

McAnulty expressed concern that Cyclone Gabrielle forced him to prioritize his responsibilities as civil defense minister above the survival of the racing sector.

"This could've happened before the last election, and I regret that it hadn't," she remarked.

"[But] if the previous government introduced the legislation, I don't think the whole of Parliament would've supported it."

Green MP Steve Abel called the ban "a long overdue decision," and urged industry leaders to do everything they could to "focus on the welfare and protection of greyhounds in this time."

"In the winding down of greyhound racing in New Zealand, we must ensure the dogs are kept safe."

Further legislation enforcing the prohibition is expected to pass through Parliament early next year, with the sector completely shut down by August 1, 2026.