A greyhound has died at Addington Raceway as the racing industry faces increasing scrutiny following the Government’s decision to phase out the sport.
Homebush Milo collapsed and died after winning a race on Friday, March 7. The cause of death has yet to be determined.
A Greyhound Racing New Zealand report said the dog was “referred to the Veterinarian after collapsing at the lure where the greyhound was pronounced deceased on arrival. Samples were taken from the greyhound with arrangements for a necropsy to be undertaken.”
Animal rights organisation SAFE said the dog’s death is another example of why the industry has no future.
SAFE Campaign Manager Emma Brodie said Homebush Milo should have had a life beyond the track.
“Instead, like so many before him, he paid the ultimate price for an industry designed to fail him,” Brodie said.
The death marks the fourth greyhound fatality since Racing Minister Winston Peters announced in December 2024 that the Government would ban greyhound racing over a 20-month phase-out period, citing repeated failures to improve dog welfare.
Despite the ban, a leaked Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) document, reported by the NZ Herald, revealed an attempt to overturn the Government’s decision.
The document outlined plans to “rally the greyhound army,” take legal action, introduce last-ditch welfare measures, and launch a public relations campaign to maintain support for the industry.
SAFE has condemned GRNZ’s response, saying it should be focused on winding down races and ensuring greyhounds are rehomed.
“GRNZ continues to put dogs in harm’s way instead of preparing for the inevitable,” Brodie said.
“They should be working on transitioning workers out of the industry and ensuring every greyhound is rehabilitated and placed in loving homes.”
Since the Government announced the ban on December 10, 2024, 189 dogs have suffered injuries requiring a standdown period, 44 dogs have sustained fractures, and four dogs have died from race-related incidents.
So far in the 2024/25 racing season, 532 dogs have suffered injuries, 85 have broken bones, and nine dogs have died. These figures do not include injuries sustained during training or trials.
SAFE is calling on GRNZ to accept the Government’s decision and end racing responsibly.
“The Government has drawn a line in the sand, so GRNZ has two choices: spend the next 18 months racing dogs to death or focus on what really matters—giving greyhounds the future they deserve,” Brodie said.
The phase-out period is set to conclude in August 2026, marking the official end of greyhound racing in New Zealand.
