Media Release 12 December 2024
Winston Peters, Minister of Racing stated” keeping unwanted dogs safe is a priority”. This commitment follows the government’s decision to ban greyhound racing in New Zealand from 2026 because of its concern at the death and injury to greyhounds in racing.
Winston Peters also stated” Rehousing greyhounds is a special project”. There are an estimated 3,000 greyhounds that will require adoption and rehousing.
Right to Life commends the government for its concern for animal welfare and for its commitment to oversee the adoption of these greyhounds into loving and caring homes.
Right to Life asks the government why protecting greyhounds is a priority, but protecting unborn children is not a priority? Right to Life believes that preventing violence and death to innocent and defenceless unborn children is more important than protecting animals.
We should have respect for animals as they are God’s creation. We should however uphold the inalienable right to life of unborn children for they alone are created in the image and likeness of God and are destined for eternal life.
Right to Life is disappointed that the Green party is confused in its values, it supports the right to life of greyhounds but denies the right to life of unborn children. “This is a great day for the welfare of greyhounds, they have a right to live without suffering,” says the Green Party’s Animal Welfare and Racing Spokesperson, Steve Abel.
More than 200 greyhounds die while racing in New Zealand each year and more than 900 are injured. The government seeks the high moral ground by passing legislation to protect the lives and health of greyhounds by banning greyhound racing in New Zealand.
Right to Life challenges the government for being more protective of the lives of greyhounds, than they are of our own unborn children. The government has no hesitation in closing the greyhound racing industry in New Zealand, out of respect for the life of dogs, but will not allow any debate on amending the Abortion Legislation Act, which regulates the government funded abortion industry which permits the killing of unborn children up to birth.
Right to Life also challenges the government on its priorities. It is committed to finding adoptive loving homes for 3,000 greyhounds. Why then does the government not make a commitment to finding adoptive homes for the 16,000 unborn children who were unwanted and who are killed before birth in their mother’s womb each year? Finding adoptive homes for greyhounds is a priority, finding adoptive homes for unborn children is clearly not a priority.
Ken Orr,
Spokesperson,
Right to Life New Zealand Inc.