Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell has officially lodge his bill to ban greyhound racing in Scotland.
The Scottish Greens have lodged a bill in the Scottish Parliament that would ban greyhound racing in Scotland. The bill, which has cross-party support, has yet to secure the support of the SNP Government at Holyrood.
According to the RSPCA, there are only 9 countries in the world that allow greyhound racing. UK, US, Australia and Ireland are amongst those which still allow commercial greyhound racing. Data from 2023 showed that 109 greyhounds died trackside in the UK, an increase on the number for 2022. There were 4,238 injuries to greyhounds during racing in 2023. Since 2018, more than 2,700 greyhounds have died or were put to sleep after taking part in a race, according to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
Mr Ruskell said:
“This is a milestone moment for my bill and I am grateful to all of the MSPs and campaigners who have helped us to get to this stage.
“Greyhound racing is a cruel sport that causes a huge amount of harm to dogs. Far too many have been killed or badly injured on the tracks.
“There is no safe or humane way to force a group of dogs to run around an oval track at 40 mph and it is totally wrong to make them do it in the name of profit.
“With Wales taking action, Scotland is looking increasingly isolated in allowing this gambling-led spectacle to continue.
“I hope that the Scottish Government and MSPs from all parties will support me and that we can get my bill over the line and end greyhound racing for good.”
In April the Welsh Government announced that it would ban the cruel gambling-led entertainment “as soon as practically possible.” A call to end greyhound racing was one of the most popular petitions on the Senedd’s website, having garnered more than 35,000 signatures. The Welsh government said almost two thirds of respondents to its consultation on a national model for animal welfare were in favour of a ban on greyhound racing.
