Holyrood to vote on ending greyhound racing a day after Wales passes ban

Westminster’s newest MP has urged Holyrood to vote to “end greyhound racing for good”.

Green MP Hannah Spencer was speaking as MSPs prepare to vote on a Bill introduced by Scottish Green Mark Ruskell, and she added that England should now “follow the lead” on the issue.

If passed, Mr Ruskell’s Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill would make it an offence to operate a racing track for greyhounds, and for a dog owner to race their animal on one.

Wednesday’s vote on the issue at Holyrood comes after the Senedd in Wales voted on Tuesday to ban the sport in a move hailed by campaigners as a “landmark moment for dog welfare”.

Ms Spencer, who was elected as the MP for Gorton and Denton in a Commons by-election last month, praised fellow Green parliamentarian Mr Ruskell for “the determination and compassion” on the issue.

Speaking about Mr Ruskell, she said: “He has been tireless in standing up for greyhounds and working alongside campaigners to spotlight the cruelty and suffering this outdated industry inflicts on animals.

“His leadership and persistence has kept this issue firmly on the agenda and given a voice to animals who cannot speak for themselves.

“Thanks to Greens in the Scottish Parliament, Scotland now has the chance to take an important step and end greyhound racing for good.

“Campaigners have fought hard for years to end the suffering greyhounds face, and I hope Scotland will lead the way by passing this Bill.

“I’m proud that the Scottish Greens are leading the way on this issue and I hope to see England follow Scotland’s lead, because these wonderful dogs deserve protection, care and loving homes wherever they live.”

Ms Spencer, who has four former racing greyhounds as pets, continued: “My greyhounds and I will be celebrating when Mark’s Bill passes.

“I will continue to champion this cause until greyhound racing is brought to an end in England.”

Mr Ruskell said greyhound racing “is a cruel sport that has a terrible impact on the dogs who are risking their lives by being forced to run at such dangerous speeds”.

Greyhound Board of Great Britain data from 2023 showed 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.

Mr Ruskell added: “Scotland is one of few countries that still allows racing. We need to leave it in the past where it belongs.”

Dogs Trust public affairs manager James Fitch told the Press Association: “It was a monumental day for animal welfare in Wales when the vote passed.

“The reason we want to see greyhound racing come to an end is because of the significant and easily avoidable injuries to the dogs.

“We look forward to hearing the result in Scotland and we hope this will be a catalyst for change for the rest of the UK.

“We really do need to see a phased end to this inhumane practice.”

Jennifer White, of campaign group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), told PA the ban in Wales is “wonderful news for dogs” but they “urgently need to see other countries, including England, following suit”.

She added: “We know they often suffer from broken legs, heat stroke and heart attacks. The sooner that we see an end to greyhound racing across the whole of the UK the better.”

However the Bill passed by the Senedd faces a legal challenge, and the chief executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain said the legislation had “disgraced the ethical and legislative processes from start to finish”.

Mark Bird added: “All legislators and voters should be alarmed by the repeated failures in public consultation, evidence gathering and overall due diligence in the pursuit of this misguided Bill.

“We remain resolute in our fight against this Bill process and await the court judgments.”