This Bill amends the Racing Industry Act 2020 to prohibit the destruction (by any means) of greyhounds that are registered with New Zealand Greyhound Racing Association Incorporated (GRNZ) unless it is done by a veterinarian for a reason specified in the greyhound euthanasia policy of GRNZ or by a person acting under the authority of any other legislation.

The Government has agreed in principle to close the greyhound racing industry from 1 August 2026. While most people in the industry will act in good faith in keeping or rehoming their greyhounds during the closure period, there is a concern that a small number of owners may take steps to dispose of their greyhounds only because they have become less economically valuable and, with closure imminent, GRNZ’s current euthanasia policy will no longer be an effective deterrent to the unnecessary destruction of greyhounds.

This Bill gives effect to the Government’s intent by applying the GRNZ greyhound euthanasia policy that is in place at the time of enactment to greyhounds regardless of whether their owners choose to exit the industry. Under GRNZ’s greyhound euthanasia policy a dog may not be destroyed for economic reasons. Under this policy, a main reason a greyhound may be euthanised is that a veterinarian has certified that the greyhound is suffering from a condition or injury that causes significant pain or discomfort or a marked reduction in quality of life, such that it is inhumane or would otherwise compromise the welfare of the greyhound to delay euthanasia.

This Bill creates a new offence of intentionally destroying a greyhound that is or was registered with GRNZ or the offspring of a breeding female that is registered with GRNZ. A person who commits the offence will be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding $50,000, or both. This is based on penalties for similar offences found in the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (such as failing to ensure the physical, health, and behavioural needs of an animal are met or killing an animal in a manner that it suffers unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress).

The Department of Internal Affairs is required to prepare a disclosure statement to assist with the scrutiny of this Bill. The disclosure statement provides access to information about the policy development of the Bill and identifies any significant or unusual legislative features of the Bill.

A copy of the statement can be found at http://legislation.govt.nz/disclosure.aspx?type=bill&subtype=government&year=2024&no=109

The Department of Internal Affairs produced a regulatory impact statement on 27 November 2024 to help inform the main policy decisions taken by the Government relating to the contents of this Bill.

A copy of this regulatory impact statement can be found at—

• https://www.dia.govt.nz/resource-material-regulatory-impact-statements-index

• https://treasury.govt.nz/publications/informationreleases/ris