Scotland Advances Greyhound Racing Ban, to the Industry’s Dismay

Scotland’s greyhound racing ban is gaining traction as the government confirmed support for the proposed measure. According to the legislation’s main sponsor, Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell, this is a major step in ending what he called a gambling-motivated sport that endangers animals.

Greyhound Racing Under Fire

Ruskell has been one of the staunchest opponents of greyhound racing for a while. He and other officials have been considering ending the sport for a few years now, citing animal welfare concerns as one of the principal reasons.

The Prohibition of Greyhound Racing Bill would effectively snuff out the sport, which it calls dangerous for the animals, since there is no way to safely compel them to race at high speeds. The calls for a ban have been exacerbated by the high number of on-track deaths in recent years.

For reference, data from 2023 shows that 109 greyhounds perished on the track, while another 4,238 sustained minor or major injuries.

According to recent reports, Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie has indicated government support for the bill, resulting in a looming threat to the sector. These efforts have been welcomed by animal rights activists, who have expressed support for the ban.

Greyhound Board Says the Measure Makes No Sense

Despite the animal welfare concerns, Scotland does not have an active greyhound racing industry. The last Scottish greyhound racing track, the Thornton Stadium in Kirkcaldy, ceased hosting races earlier this year, meaning that no races actually take place in Scotland.

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain was quick to point out that fact. The board slammed the government for misdirecting voters’ attention toward a sport that no longer exists in Scotland. However, supporters argued that an official ban is needed to prevent the sport’s potential return.

In any case, the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing Bill has continued to gain traction and is set to appear before the Scottish Parliament for further deliberation.

Scotland Isn’t the Only Place to Oppose the Sport

In the meantime, Welsh officials have also moved to end greyhound racing, despite the industry’s calls for stricter regulation. The Greyhound Board of Great Britain previously issued a claim for judicial review in relation to the Welsh Ministers’ decision to ban the sport, hoping to overturn the decision.

Elsewhere, Oregon put an end to greyhound racing in a move that proponents of the measure called “the biggest victory for American greyhound advocates since Florida outlawed dog racing in 2018.”