Can Greyhound Racing Be Saved?

New Zealand is banning greyhound racing due to concerns about injury rates, public opinion, and criticism that the industry has not done enough to reform. The Parliamentary Minister stated: “Even with the improvements (by the greyhound industry), this is no longer publicly acceptable.”

As a society, we accept using animals for entertainment. Horse racing, harness racing, rodeos, and various other animal-related sports and entertainments demonstrate this.

But what is the future of greyhound racing, and what are the lessons for other animal-related industries?

In 2016, New South Wales announced a complete ban on greyhound racing, citing overwhelming evidence of systemic animal cruelty. Just months later, in October 2016, the ban was reversed following political pressure, strict new government regulations, and substantial new industry commitments to actioned reform. The reversal marked a significant policy shift—from complete prohibition to regulated reform—and demonstrated that there is a tipping point in the frequent ‘one more chance’ process. Unsurprisingly, the entire event was controversial.

The Lessons?

1.       Bans are not set in stone.

2.       There is a tipping point for both banning and reversing a ban.

3.       As Ian Robertson, Barrister and Principal of Guardianz, New Zealand’s law practice dedicated to animal law, explains:

“This ban is a prime example of how getting animal welfare wrong can cost more than just money. In this case, it will—at least until any potential reversal—shut down an entire industry. It shows that animal welfare law is not just ‘warm fuzzies, holding hands, and kumbaya smiles,’ but a tangle of politics, business, finances, conflicting worldviews, and legal landmines.”