Media releases

Open letter calls for ban on colony cages

October 18th, 2021

SAFE has published an open letter this morning in the Dominion Post, calling on Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor to announce a ban on colony cages. Over 250 New Zealand veterinary professionals have put their name to the letter, warning the Minister that colony cages do not meet the welfare needs...

Greyhound racing in Whanganui yesterday was at Manawatu Raceway, not Hatrick – SAFE

September 28th, 2021

In regards to the previous media release distributed by SAFE, we have been alerted to the fact that the greyhound races held yesterday in Whanganui were at Manawatu Raceway, not Hatrick Raceway. Please disregard today’s statement regarding Hatrick Raceway. Read more

Community Board rejects greyhound racing track proposal in Christchurch

September 22nd, 2021

The Waitai Coastal-Burwood Community Board has chosen not to progress with an application from the greyhound racing industry to build a new dog racing track at QEII Park in Christchurch. Community Board member Bebe Frayle said in an email that the board made the decision in part due to local...

Yet another greyhound tests positive for prohibited substances in Christchurch

September 21st, 2021

In a judgement released this week by the Racing Integrity Board, Craig Roberts was fined $2,000 after his dog Willene Bale tested positive for Ketoprofen at Addington Raceway in July 2021. This is the third time one of Roberts’ dogs had tested positive for banned substances. Read more

Council urged to reject Greyhound racing proposal on public land

September 21st, 2021

An animal rights organisation is calling on the Christchurch City Council to reject Greyhound racing on its land. Greyhound Racing New Zealand has made a proposal to lease land at QEII Park to build a new racetrack. The two other proposals for the 4-hectare section of land include a multi-sport...

Council land should not be used for greyhound racing – SAFE

September 20th, 2021

Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) has made a proposal to lease land at QEII Park to build a new racetrack. The two other proposals for the 4-hectare section of land include a multi-sport training and entertainment complex and a range for the Christchurch Archery Club. Read more

Whanganui racetrack sees six greyhounds injured in one day – SAFE

September 20th, 2021

At a racing meet last Wednesday, six dogs were injured at the Whanganui greyhound racing track. Two of the dogs suffered broken legs, with a third suspected. Two of the dogs are undergoing x-rays to confirm. The last four races of the meeting were eventually abandoned due to poor weather....

Whistleblower exposes shocking cruelty to hens on New Zealand farm – SAFE

September 15th, 2021

A former farmworker who wishes to remain anonymous, has revealed to SAFE the horrific conditions that hens are living in at the colony cage farm ‘Northern Eggs’ in Whangarei. In May 2021, a former Northern Eggs worker approached SAFE with images showing hens left to rot in cages at the...

Pressure is mounting for a ban on greyhound racing – SAFE

September 2nd, 2021

Racing Ministry Grant Robertson has put the greyhound racing industry formally on notice following the release of a damning review of the industry. The review, which was commissioned in April 2021 and completed by Sir Bruce Robertson, shows the industry has made little improvement since the Hansen report in 2016....

Mud farming continues in the South Island

August 26th, 2021

Mud farming continues in the South Island Source: SAFE For Animals — Images and video provided to SAFE show winter grazing conditions on many farms haven’t improved in parts of Southland and Otago. The content shows sheep caked in mud, a mother cow licking her calf lying in the mud,...

Greyhound trainer fined for striking dog in front of crowd

August 18th, 2021

Greyhound trainer Francis McPhee has been fined $350 for losing his temper and striking a dog in front of spectators and rolling cameras at an Auckland racetrack last month. In a judgement realised on Thursday, the Racing Integrity Board found McPhee hit a greyhound, whose race name is Vegas Chops,...

Greyhound trainer fined for striking his dog – SAFE For Animals

August 13th, 2021

In a judgement released yesterday, the Racing Integrity Board fined Francis McPhee $350 for striking their dog Vegas Chops across her hindquarters. The incident on 11 July 2021 was in full view of spectators and broadcast across Trackside TV. This is not the first offence of its kind for Aotearoa’s...

Media release correction – Greyhound trainer fined – SAFE for Animals

August 13th, 2021

Last week Labour MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan accepted The Greyhound Protection League of New Zealand’s 37,700 signature-strong petition, calling for a ban on greyhound racing in New Zealand. SAFE’s media release earlier this morning incorrectly stated that it was SAFE’s petition. Read more

Update: Petition to ban greyhound racing handover event has moved

August 4th, 2021

Update: Petition to ban greyhound racing handover event has moved Source: SAFE For Animals — The handover event for the petition to ban greyhound racing has moved to outside the Parliamentary Library building. The event is scheduled to begin at 1pm today. Read more

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