Greyhounds bound for Australia as New Zealand racing ban takes effect

At least two chartered flights carrying up to 150 greyhounds are set to fly to Australia's eastern states, as a New Zealand ban on the sport comes into effect.Several greyhound trainers in New Zealand are responding to a new ban by moving their dogs to Australia with plans to continue in the sport, governing body Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) told the BBC.While the ban across New Zealand takes effect on Saturday, the practice remains legal almost everywhere in Australia.The ban was first announced in December 2024, and legislated in April. Approximately 1,400 greyhounds will retire in New Zealand under the ban and require rehoming.Australian authorities say that greyhounds arriving from New Zealand are classed as "companion animals" which will undergo screening for diseases such as rabies."Australia's import requirements for dogs are based on biosecurity risk, not the intended use of the animal," Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry told a Senate inquiry in June.A spokesperson for New Zealand's Racing Minister Winston Peters called the plans to relocate the dogs "the last gasp actions of a dying industry". Peters said the dog racing industry had "lost...