Senedd Cymru | Welsh Parliament
Pwyllgor Diwylliant, Cyfathrebu, y Gymraeg, Chwaraeon, a Chysylltiadau Rhyngwladol | Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Bil Gwahardd Rasio Milgwn (Cymru) | Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill
Ymateb gan: SPCA Seland Newydd | Response from: SPCA New Zealand
Tēnā koutou,
Letter of Support: Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals New Zealand (SPCA NZ) strongly supports the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill and stands alongside the RSPCA UK in calling for an end to this industry.
As New Zealand’s oldest and largest animal welfare organisation, we have closely monitored the welfare impacts of commercial greyhound racing both here and overseas. In New Zealand, the industry has long been associated with high injury rates, inadequate socialisation, oversupply of dogs, and poor transparency. These are not isolated problems; they are systemic issues inherent to commercial greyhound racing.
After decades of attempted reform, the New Zealand Government concluded that these harms could not be eliminated through regulation alone. In 2024, Cabinet announced that greyhound racing in New Zealand will be phased out entirely by 31 July 2026. This decision reflects strong public sentiment, robust scientific evidence, and multiple independent reviews that found the welfare risks to be intrinsic to the industry’s operations.
SPCA NZ commends the Welsh Government for taking steps to end greyhound racing. Our experience shows that regulatory changes cannot address the fundamental welfare harms of the industry, and prohibition is the only effective way to prevent further suffering. We support a managed wind-down period to ensure greyhounds are responsibly rehomed and to enable a fair, just transition for those employed in the sector.
We stand in solidarity with the RSPCA UK and other animal protection organisations advocating for this Bill. Prohibiting greyhound racing in Wales will prevent avoidable injuries and deaths, reduce the burden on rescue and rehoming organisations, and align legislation with contemporary community values on animal welfare.
Nāku noa, nā
Dr Arnja Dale
Chief Scientific Officer, SPCA New Zealand