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Eight greyhounds have died at racetracks so far this season, with five of the eight deaths occurring at Addington Raceway. (File photo)
Greyhound Racing New Zealand edited racing footage to remove a fall that resulted in a greyhound being euthanized.
Greyhound Epic Addi was found to have a broken leg and soft tissue damage after a race at Addington Raceway in Christchurch on Tuesday.
Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GHNZ) later removed the crash from the racing video. He recently edited another racing video for a similar injury that occurred at Manawatu Raceway in March, according to animal rights organization SAFE.
Spokesman Will Appelbe said eight greyhounds have died at racetracks so far this season, including five at Addington Raceway.
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SAFE accused the racing industry of having a transparency problem.
“There are skeletons in the industry closet that GRNZ does its best to hide,” Appelbe said.
The latest incident comes as one of New Zealand’s top greyhound trainers is being investigated by a racing regulator after dogs from his kennel reportedly showed up at a drop-in center with injuries.
Canterbury-based John McInerney, who runs Homebush Hounds in Darfield, was also accused of failing to meet GRNZ health and welfare standards.
WARWICK SMITH/STUFF
Greyhound owners come together to show just how off the track the breed can be. (Video first published in June 2019)
“The industry is under increasing pressure, but instead of acknowledging and addressing its problems, GRNZ continues to operate with a lack of transparency about the harm and pain it inflicts on dogs,” Appelbe said.
Epic Addi fell during the race and was evaluated by a vet. The dog was found to have a displaced compound fracture of the right anterior ulna and radius, along with soft tissue damage.
The steward’s report for the race said the dog was humanely euthanized due to the “catastrophic nature” of the injury.
John Hawkin
Greyhound trainer John McInerney with Classy Baxter, one of 38 greyhounds he races. (File photo)
“Animal welfare issues have been on the greyhound racing industry’s radar for almost a decade, and yet we still see dogs in danger, whether on the track or in kennels,” Appelbe said.
Racing Minister Grant Robertson had previously formally warned the industry.
“We believe the evidence speaks for itself. He needs to make the call and ban greyhound racing,” Appelbe said.
GRNZ has been approached for comment.
