The SAR Government has ordered Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome Co. to relocate its greyhound racing track within the next two years.
The company has also been ordered to decide whether greyhound racing activity would be continued, indicated a press release issued yesterday by the Gaming Inspection and Co-ordination Bureau (DICJ).
The press release says that DICJ director Paulo Martins Chan met with the managing director and deputy president of the greyhound racing track operator Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome Co., Angela Leong, who as quoted by the press release indicated the company respect [of] the governments decision, and promised to make a proper decision and arrangement before the deadline.
The concession for greyhound racing track operator Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome Co. was set to expire by the end of last year. However, it was extended until December 31, 2016 according to an executive order. Now, the company has until July 21, 2018 to decide whether to move or to shut down.
To be decided
DICJ states that if greyhound racing is to be continued the company must guarantee the living conditions and the racing arrangement of the dogs must meet certain standards, while the new location must comply with urban plans and not affect residents lives. Only under such premises would an application be considered by DICJ. It would also need to be further authorised by the SAR Government.
If the Canidrome is to shut down for good, the company has to make proper arrangements for its staff as well as relocating the dogs. It also pledged that the Labour Affairs Bureau would help affected employees.
DICJ said the governments decision is based upon the report from a study conducted by the University of Macau, opinions from residents and shopowners in the neighbourhood as well as from the public, and the overall economic and social impact upon society. The government commissioned the university to conduct the research on the impact of the Canidrome last year in September. The results of the report were never made public.
In 2015, the Canidrome generated MOP125 million (US$15.6 million), a 13.8 per cent drop from the MOP145 million generated in 2014. The revenue also represents less than 0.05 per cent of the whole of the gaming industry in Macau, which totalled MOP231.81 billion in 2015.
Secretary for Economy and Finance Lionel Leong Vai Tac told reporters on the sidelines of a public event yesterday that with regard to the future land use of the plot now occupied by Canidrome the government would consult the public and design in accordance with the Urban Plan departments proposal.
| Anima: Dogs future of concern Anticipating the governments announcement signals the coming to the end of greyhound racing in Macau, as there is no way for Canidrome to find another area here to accommodate the activity, the local animal rights concern group remain concerned about the future of the dogs. “Once again, two more years. This is the way for the government to keep their [Canidromes] face. The government dont really make decisions, Mr. Albano Martins, president of Anima the Society for the Protection of Animals (Macau) – told Business Daily via a phone interview yesterday. “What the government is saying now to Canidrome is that the dogs are your business, just handle that. This upsets us. Why? Because the Canidrome can sell those animals to China, to Vietnam, to Pakistan… where theres illegal betting and animal welfare standards are even lower than in Macau. This will be a very bad image for Macau. This should not be allowed. The government should be very clear on that, said Martins. Mr. Martins expressed his disappointment as the government had ignored Animas offer to help in taking over the venue of the greyhound racing track for one year, taking care of and relocating the dogs, indicating they have help pledged globally from organisations that would help with the relocation of the dogs. |
