grandad47

Animal Welfare There have been two articles in The Press recently calling for the closure of greyhound racing. The writers' agenda appears to be nothing more than jumping on a bandwagon that spreads misinformation and distorts outdated facts to suit. If they are genuinely concerned about animal welfare and euthanasia then their argument reeks of biased personal views and conveniently ignores the shocking truth about the welfare of cats and dogs in New Zealand. Unlike Greyhound Racing New Zealand, animal welfare organisations do not appear to have a central data base for gathering reliable and accurate information. The only figures I could find are from seven of fifty plus local councils From July 2021 to June 2022. 1662 dogs were euthanized and 5628 had “a happy ending”. Total estimate for the whole of the country comes to around 20000 deaths of dogs each year. There are no reliable figures so don't you think there should be? Thank you Greyhound Racing New Zealand for leading the way and providing the public with accurate figures and showcasing your concentration on animal welfare in your industry. You really love your dogs and they really like to race. To single out individual people who have already been dealt with by the industry is uncalled for and spiteful to say the least.

As I have bred my last litter, I have for sale two young bitches who will turn one in early January. Both are direct descendants from Mega Magic, a dam of group one winners, and a litter sister to Mega Legend (NZ cup winner and NZ greyhound of the year). Mega Maxi (litter sister of Mega Legend) herself was a champion race bitch with three group one race wins. At stud she left Funny Girl, a tough durable race bitch, 14 wins, 18 seconds, and 17 thirds. Her litter sister left Mr Chino (Silver Collar winner). Funny Girls' litter brother Great White was NZ Greyhound of The Year. At stud, Funny Girl has continued the family tradition with daughter Nina's Girl (Silver Collar winner, and going on to become NZ Brood Bitch of The Year and was 3rd best Dam in Australasia). Nina's Girl left Christiana Cyborg (3rd in Silver Collar) Cant Catch Tim (NZ Stayer of The Year) whose litter sister was Birchbrook (Progeny to date have won 200k+ including Double Speed, and Beck Eleven from her first litter). One of the bitches available is out of Birchbrook. The other bitch traces a different line back to Funny Girl. Funny Girl left Pretty Girl who in turn produced handy racing bitches Magic Emily and Andrea. Andrea was Group 1 NZ Oaks placed and is now the dam of multiple class track record holders Lord Louie, Perfect Result and Student Loan. Martha Magic, litter sister to Perfect Result was Group 2 placed and is the dam of the second bitch available. Both bitches available were sired by My Redeemer, champion son of the great Fernando Bale, he has also been his most successful son at stud (winning percentage of 19, placing 47%). My Redeemer is from an outstanding family, his Dam Where's Demonica is also the mother of champion race bitch Up Hill Jill with her progeny winning over 2 million in prize money. Both bitches on offer are nice types. Excellent temperaments. Please email expressions of interest to rgjv.amer@xtra.co.nz. They are priced competitively at $4000 each, for approved homes only. Ray Amer

Correction - My Redeemer’s fee is $2200.00AUS.

This young son of Fernando Bale ticks every box. Pedigree, Performance and Conformation. His first pups are now racing with exceptional results. Check him out. My Redeemer Facebook and Sire page. Next shipment due June. Fee AUD2000. Will be available in North and South Islands. Further enquires Ray Amer 033136284 or email rgjv.amer@xtra.co.nz.

Emotive - I applaud you for your ideas and they may well be in the future but until we view a feasibility study we can only assume that there isn't one. Gom has highlighted genetic issues in our dogs and these should not be ignored or underestimated as failure is both irresponsible and avoidable. Corey has requested some genetic guidelines. A basic understanding is a must have. It is a myth that the dam has more genetic influence than the sire. The dam's increased importance is due to her role as carer during pregnancy and in rearing. Genetic contributions to the offspring from the sire is equal to the contribution of the dam. Most physical attributes of an animal are substantially influenced by the genes inherited from the two parents which each have two pairs of 39 chromosomes and each chromosome carries thousands of genes. The risks associated with the choosing of a sire are very different to the risks with choosing a dam. Once a sire has 80 or so pups to race the evidence of his genetic merit and more importantly his ability to pass on this genetic merit, has been tested. A critical approach to bitch selection is essential as some outstanding race performers do not breed on. They may have inherited a combination of genes in patterns that do not get passed on to their progeny. Pedigree background is useful and important but there is a risk that too much attention gets paid to distant ancestors that contribute only a small proportion of genes to the animal of interest. We all know that breeding successful greyhounds involves a substantial amount of luck, but a critical approach is necessary when selecting the parents. Type and soundness are highly heritable. Regarding different sire lines carrying genetic faults, it must be remembered that our top sires have thousands of puppies. It is the percentage of puppies with these faults that matters. Regards Ray

Corey: the breeding information that you require has appeared in ON TRACK. The first article co written with Dr Jim Edwards, Massey University, is of a general nature and the second article written with Dr Peter Amer, animal geneticist of Abacusbio, Dunedin, is of a more technical nature. To others calling for a national stud, expert advice has indicated ongoing genetic issues due to our small base will cause ongoing welfare issues. The birdbrain talk of another track in Canterbury is just a sideshow. Ray.

The Master has spoken and I might add not before time. We all know who he was referring to as greedy, some might say parasites who live on or in a host and benefit at other's expense. The original host was the body of GRNZ who at the time lacked leadership, were prone to corruption and manipulation by vested interests who were able to twist and bend conditions to suit themselves. Perhaps greedy parasites is an honest appraisal. Like it or not we need large kennels. Properly managed they provide stability for us all in various forms. However we need to keep diligent to ensure they adhere to the rules which in the past they arrogantly flouted. As Ray and others have indicated, there is evidence they still have the freedom to continue. The present administration is not responsible for the past and it has to be acknowledged that they inherited our rehoming responsibilities following the Hansen Report. Other immediate issues stemming from the Messara Report have need time and resources to address. We are all aware of the ongoing issues around rehoming and the apportioning of costs. These should not be the sole responsibility of the breeders which would be unfair. All stakeholders during the animal's racing career should contribute. GRNZ do not seem to be looking at a more equitable distribution of where the costs should fall. I suggest an independent qualified consultant be employed to produce a plan for the future. To avoid extra costs to the Association every breeder should provide some funds based on the number of breeding bitches in their kennels. Alternatively scratch the NZ Racing Series and reduce stake money for major races could be considered. Until a fair and equitable solution is found for rehoming, IMPORTS MUST STOP. NO EXCEPTIONS. Relieved of the rehoming burden, the Board needs to address the plight of our long-suffering grassroots. They work long hours with no security and little return and already the industry is loosing some young talented personnel. The small owner/breeders and trainers will be next to leave. The big trainers will soon follow due to the simple fact that there will be nobody left to help subsidise and generate their income. Regards Ray Amer

My original post was to highlight the cronyism and vested interests in the industry which to me resembles a shambles. I merely used the Oaks to illustrate my point. GRNZ needs to take ownership. This state of affairs had its roots at head office and has filtered down. I honestly believe GRNZ is starting to take ownership in the best interests of us all. New welfare initiatives is a good example of this and I suggest we all embrace these new exciting directions. Ray Amerl

Sorry you don’t no where you are perhaps if you leave your name and phone l will do my best to help Kind. Regards. Ray

I. know. You obviously don’t understand what this thread is all.obout certainly not about me or my dogs, Kind Regards Ray

If you Google the selection policy for their Oaks in our sister codes and compare it with ours, then maybe you will share my view that ours is indeed a shambles. It is not about who is in the race but how they got there. T?he Oaks should be showcasing our best performed bitches. Ray Amer

If you look at the Oaks selection policy for our sister codes, our selection policy is a shambles and reeks of cronyism. This nonsense has to stop. GRNZ have to take ownership of this industry. Leaving it to vested interests does not work. Ray Amer.

Like any law abiding citizen, whether involved in the greyhound industry or not, I find the allegations against Mr Cole very disappointing and if true put the livelihood of many good, honest, hardworking people in jeopardy. As well we will loose respect for our industry. One has to question his motives and integrity. Surely a simple and honest statement of all the facts from his perspective is all that is needed. Failure to do this is very damaging to us all.

Excerpt below from National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee report regards Greyhounds. Full report at https://www.mpi.govt.nz/document-vault/17053 NAWAC remains uncertain about the number of dogs which are being produced or imported each year, and where they will end up once their racing career is finished; in particular as even high grade dogs tend to only have a racing life of 1–4 years. Whilst re-homing through Greyhounds as Pets is offering one avenue for these dogs, there is a risk of this avenue reaching saturation point given the length of a dogs lifespan vs its racing life duration. We understand that NZGRA is on target to halve the oversupply of dogs by 2017. This is being achieved through the introduction of fees for each puppy registered; restrictions on breeding bitches under 15 months and over 8 years; and the requirement that bitches must have a clear season after two consecutive litters.

For any livestock industry to be sustainable it is absolutely paramount that its breeders are encouraged and rewarded for producing the best possible animals for the intended market. Obviously our present system to assist our breeders is not working as our breeders are not able to supply enough suitable dogs to meet our requirements resulting in the need to import. A change in policy is well overdue. Better outcomes would be achieved if all GRNZ racing series incentives were scrapped and replaced by incentives to improve our breeding stock i.e. a programme similar in format to that which the NZ Livestock Improvement Association adopted and which is now a universally accepted method of evaluating and improving breeding stock. Only the import of suitable bitches should be allowed and more races for females only should be programmed. Ray Amer

The Board of GRNZ have failed us badly. Unless they act immediately to address the basic requirements of the industry (ie. supply and demand and the welfare of all participants) then we run the risk of being closed down. The National Animal Welfare Committee are currently reviewing greyhound welfare and looking into the tracing of dogs from birth onwards. We are now under the scrutiny of the Racing Industry Board. It has been obvious for some time that GRNZ have failed us badly with many seeing our industry as cruel and inhumane. Their inaction has put all participants and their livelihoods at risk. Recently I invested $2000 with a firm with an international reputation in animal breeding to produce a plan to investigate the genetics of our NZ greyhound population with the aim of turning our breeders into world leaders. Their proposal, costing $47000 was submitted to GRNZ at my request with the aim of reducing "wastage", which is the root of the problem. GRNZ's immediate reply was: "this is not something we intend to pursue at this time." They also responded by releasing a lot of useless, out of date frozen semen at half price, encouraging our breeders to further increase "wastage". How clever was that? Hopefully they will not now allow a mass importation of dogs from Australia to add to the problem. Look! Our challenge is to reduce "wastage". The present level is unacceptable to the general public. How does importing solve it? We can't rehome at present levels.

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An excellent post from Aquaman with some very positive comments moving the debate along. As for my knowledge - the more I think I know, the more I realise that I don't know very much at all. Breeding is not an exact science but NZ has world leading animal geneticists and with their help we could easily become an exporter not an importer. To help towards achieving this, I have decided to invest $10000.00 on a preliminary study to guide the industry towards this goal. After all this is what NZ excels at, exporting. Must go and pack my bags. Ray

Read my posts and you will get the bigger picture. Yes I have used NZ based sires and have a lovely Piggy Bank pup that will get every chance. DDO versus DV - both nice dogs but the former has outstanding race records and superior genetics in my view. Ray

The legs and lashes post on imports is rather sad really because there is an obvious vested interest. Legs and lashes in unwilling to see the big picture of supply and demand. Imports totalled over 250 last year and previously GRNZ has stated this figure is acceptable and manageable. If this is so why do we have hundreds of greyhounds "missing" each year and a hundred plus waiting for rehoming? Imported greyhounds have a place but not at the expense of other industry participants. One solution is to return them to their place of origin but most importantly we need a sustainable policy. GRNZ seems unable to address even the basic needs of its participants. An urgent inquiry is needed. Ray Amer

Greg Kerr, GRNZ Animal Welfare Manager, replied to my post on rehoming greyhounds: " There is a misconception that the imports are a strain on the GAP rehoming programme. This is not the case and we keep a very close eye on import numbers weekly (the Racing Committee have agreed that if imports reach a certain level over a two month period that we will simply put a halt on all dogs coming in. We need to be mindful of the breeding restrictions and deregistering requirements mean that potentially we could become a dumping ground for Australian dogs, hence the move to address this if the trends so increase numbers. This restriction and our position has been discussed at Board level within Greyhounds Australasia. The GAP programme has itself been through change and the new programme director has made a number of positive moves. The waiting list is down to 91 dogs, the waiting period for dogs to enter the programme in the North Island is between three weeks and three months. The new kennel facility in the South Island means the programme will soon be matching the North. We are very pleased that the rehoming programme has hit our target of a dog a day which is a great result. February saw a record number of applications received at 65 for the month."

GRNZ obviously have good reason for their stance on restricting dogs from racing any more than three times over a seven day period. The tail should not be able to wag the dog, vested interests must not be allowed to bring the sport into disrepute.

Constructive comments complete with a solution. Well done.