During the bill\u2019s second reading on Tuesday, Peters said that in the 2024-25 racing season, there were 16 race-related greyhound fatalities, equating to 0.47 fatalities per 1000 racing starts. <\/p>\n
There were also 822 race-related injuries, of which 250 were serious. <\/p>\n
Avdic said the ban had left the service in a \u201chorrific\u201d form of limbo over its future, and whether she will play a role in rehoming the greyhounds. <\/p>\n
Nightrave workers have been preparing to eventually lose their jobs, but with four months to go, exactly what the shutdown looks like for them isn\u2019t clear. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been living in hell,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt completely shocked us and completely devastated our community,\u201d she said of the impending ban. <\/p>\n
She said the downstream economic effects of the shutdown could \u201csnowball\u201d into other businesses in Central Hawke\u2019s Bay, including vets, tradespeople, cleaners and a local pet food factory.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our livelihood, but even worse, I\u2019ve got people who have mortgages, who have children, and I can\u2019t help.\u201c<\/p>\n
She said the facility was also used as a training space for vet students to carry out practical work. <\/p>\n
Nightrave also employs a dog trainer, Avdic said. \u201cShe loses her job.\u201d<\/p>\n
Avdic said welfare issues were not a good enough reason to shut down the industry. <\/p>\n
Nightrave Greyhound staff are facing the loss of their jobs due to the Government’s decision to end greyhound racing from July 31.<\/p>\n
The bill has progressed to the Committee of the Whole House stage, where the House considers the bill in detail, questions the MP in charge, and may make changes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe recognise that participants in this industry do not wish to see it close, and that this bill represents a significant disruption to their livelihoods and way of life,\u201d Peters said in his second reading speech. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is for that reason that the measures in this bill are designed to ensure the closure is orderly and well-managed.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Ministerial Advisory Committee, established to plan the transition, has set out key elements of their plan as part of the recent select committee process. <\/p>\n
This included setting up a transition agency with options to take over ownership of dogs until they are re-homed and offering mental health and wellbeing services for those whose daily lives are closely tied to the industry.<\/p>\n
The plan involves re-training support for industry workers and training and behavioural help for greyhounds to improve rehoming outcomes. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re ready for a smooth transition, with planning focused on certainty, support, and, most importantly, ensuring the welfare of greyhounds,\u201d Peters said. <\/p>\n