**New Zealand Moves to Eliminate Greyhound Racing Amid Animal Welfare Concerns**

New Zealand's government has announced a commitment to eliminate greyhound racing due to persistent welfare concerns, with strong reactions from both animal rights advocates and the racing community.

In a decisive move reflecting growing concerns for animal welfare, the New Zealand government has initiated plans to ban greyhound racing. This decision comes amid ongoing criticisms surrounding the sport, primarily due to the elevated risk of injuries and fatalities among the racing dogs. Racing Minister Winston Peters highlighted the "unacceptably high" injury rates as a key factor prompting the ban, indicating a strong commitment to protect animals over sports traditions.

The government intends to phase out the industry over the next 20 months, allowing for the rehoming of about 2,900 racing greyhounds currently active in the country and aiding those employed in the industry to transition into new careers. Despite improvements reported in greyhound welfare, such as regulatory changes in the last decade, insufficient progress concerning injury rates ultimately led to this bold policy shift.

According to media reports, significant figures underscore the extent of the issue: in 2021 alone, 232 racing greyhounds died, while approximately 900 sustained injuries. Following three government-commissioned reviews, the racing industry was warned to rectify these issues, yet troubling trends persisted. Furthermore, the animal rights group SAFE reported over 2,500 injuries and nearly 30 deaths among racing dogs within the last two and a half years.

The government also introduced legislation aimed at ensuring no racing dogs face unnecessary euthanasia as a result of this decision. Animal rights organizations celebrated the ban, perceiving it as a landmark victory for animal welfare and calling for similar reforms in countries where the practice remains legal.

However, the announcement engendered considerable disappointment among the greyhound racing community. Greyhound Racing New Zealand, which represents various racing clubs nationwide, expressed dismay over the government's stance and raised concerns regarding the potential negative impacts on the cultural dynamics, economic aspects, and job security tied to the racing sector. The association's chairman, Sean Hannan, urged a reconsideration of the decision, emphasizing the meaningful strides the industry has made in recent years.

As New Zealand embarks on this journey to prioritize animal welfare through the cessation of greyhound racing, stakeholders on both sides of the debate will undoubtedly continue to weigh the social and economic implications of this significant policy shift.