NSPCA Opposes Dog Racing

(2006-08-02)

“We will vigorously oppose any attempt to legalise dog racing. The NSPCA will take any action we consider necessary and this includes High Court action. There have already been two Commissions of Enquiry and one application in the High Court. The findings were unanimous: - dog racing is and will remain illegal in South Africa.”

Marcelle Meredith, Executive Director of the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA), commenting in response to a media statement issued by “the greyhound industry” claiming that “racing dogs could bring in millions.” Statements made by Shane Brody of RZT-Zelpy that greyhound racing could create about 35 000 jobs countrywide is refuted and stands in stark contract with the greyhound industry overseas which is struggling to survive.

The statement that “dog racing is the most humane alternative to hunting with dogs” is rejected as a ridiculous and spurious comparison and blatantly untrue. The NSPCA’s objections to dog racing are on humane or welfare grounds and look at the bigger picture: - over and above what actually happens on the track during a race.

An application was made by the United Greyhound Racing and Breeders Society (UGRABS) to the Free State High Court in 2001 for the legalisation of dog racing. The application was dismissed with costs. UGRABS, headed by Shane Brody, was unable to pay and the NSPCA accepted a lower figure in full and final settlement.

The SPCA movement opposes dog racing and will stand strongly and forcefully against any attempts to reintroduce dog racing for the following reasons:

• Reintroduction of dog racing will involve cruelty to the dogs used for racing
• Policing of the activity to prevent cruelty is extremely difficult because most of the offences are committed out of sight of the public
• Offences include the use of drugs and the use of live lures for training to develop the racing dogs’ blood lust
• Dogs which do not perform adequately are dumped, thereby adding to the already swollen dog population.